Figure 3 and Map 3 illustrate the habitat value of natural areas in the western region as determined by the Habitat Evaluation Model. Of the remaining natural habitats in the western region, almost two-thirds are shown to be of very high or high quality (43 percent very high and 22 percent high).

As shown in Map 3, there are still some very valuable habitat areas left in the western half of the study area (i.e., the area west of Interstate 15 and Interstate 805). It will be critical to maintain and preserve these remaining coastal vegetation types or they will be lost forever. Creating and maintaining linkages between these areas and larger blocks of habitat to the east is crucial. North-south corridor development will be more challenging as there is not much opportunity due to extensive existing development. The eastern half of the study area provides larger, contiguous blocks of habitats, or core areas, as opportunities for inclusion in a habitat preserve system. Many of these areas contain highly valuable habitats. It is not necessary for all the highly valued habitats to be protected in order to create a viable habitat preserve. Indeed, some of the moderate and low valued habitats will need to be preserved in order to get an interconnected preserve. The - natural areas in the northern half of the study area (MHCP) tend not to be rated as very high because of their fragmentation.