The Bay Model
    Association

"Before" (December 1987) --- "After" (September 2003)

In the last 20 years, there has been a considerable growth of interest in the restoration of tidal wetlands. Scientifically--directed restoration is a relatively new and hence experimental field. Base on the implementation of several early restoration projects, recent scientific attention has focused on the need to gain knowledge in the following areas:

1. The evolution and functionality of tidal wetlands' physical system and its interaction with the biological system; and

2. The time frame necessary for the physical and biological evolution of a tidal wetland to reach the natural, fully developed condition.

Monitoring of restoration sites provides practical information that can be used to define clear and specific success criteria for restoration projects and ultimately to establish how wetland evolution can be managed or altered in restoration design to meet particular design objectives.

To help address the above needs, a long-term monitoring program has been instituted at three San Francisco Bay tidal marshes: Warm Springs Marsh (also known as Coyote Creek Lagoon) in Fremont, Muzzi Marsh in Corte Madera, and China Camp Marsh northeast of San Rafael. The objectives of the program are:

Physical

• To determine sedimentation rates along the surface of the marshplain.
• To characterize the relationship between hydraulic geometry, tidal prism, and slough channel response.
• To analyze the evolution of the tidal drainage system from mudflat to marshplain.
• To determine limitations on sedimentation rates in a large restoration site.

Biological

• To determine the spatial and temporal patterns of vegetation colonization and succession.
• To analyze the spatial and temporal use of subtidal and intertidal habitat by fish species.
• To analyze the spatial and temporal use of marsh habitat by avian species.

Physical and Biological Interactions

• To assess the relationship between marshplain elevation and colonization by marsh vegetation.
• To characterize the effect vegetation colonization has on rates of sedimentation.
• To analyze the influence of salinity on the colonization of vegetation.

Monitoring the Evolution of Restored Tidal Marshes Tidal Marshes in San Francisco Bay
Physical & Vegetation Monitoring Data for Coyote Creek Lagoon (Warm Springs), Muzzi Creek & China Camp Marshes from 1981 to 2003
Note: This link takes you to an excerpt of the final report including numerous photographs. For a copy of the entire report, contact Jeremy P. Lowe at J.Lowe@pwa-ltd.com.