Propagation of tidal marsh species native to the San Francisco Bay

Abstract

Of the original tidal salt marshes around the San Francisco Bay, only about 5% remain. There have been many mitigation projects undertaken in this bay over the last 10 years. Depending on funding, projects have simply regraded the mudflats to provide habitat and some projects have included seeding or planting of native halophytic plants. However, most of these projects in which planting was done have included only the 8 or 10 most common species. The intact remnant marshes contain a diverse flora of 30 to 35 species. Monitoring of these projects has shown that the other uncommon but critical habitat species have not emigrated through natural processes into these areas. It is still salt marsh and provides valuable habitat but they could be a richer more diverse plant community.

Parent Publication

• National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001

Citation

Heimbinder, Erin; Young, Betty. 2002. Propagation of tidal marsh species native to the San Francisco Bay. In: Dumroese, R. K.; Riley, L. E.; Landis, T. D., technical coordinators. National proceedings: forest and conservation nursery associations-1999, 2000, and 2001. Proceedings RMRS-P-24. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 232