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Restoration

The restoration of degraded ecosystems requires assessment throughout the restoration effort. This information is used to help direct resource management activities to support restoration. A focus of the California Water Science Center is research which contributes to the restoration of tidal wetlands. Expanding towns and cities have claimed major parts of California's tidal wetlands. Restoring these wetlands will have benefits for ecosystems that have declined during the last century. Successful efforts will also promote greater ecological health for the benefit of everyone.

Comparing Restored vs. Historic Salt Marshes

USGS Scientists taking sediment core at Six Gill Slough restored marsh.

California Water Science Center Research Hydrologist Dr. Judith Drexler and others have published an article in the journal Restoration Ecology, observing the progress of a restored salt marsh in southern Puget Sound, Washington.

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USGS Science Supports Environmental Restoration

Read how California Water Science Center reseach is helping to inform restoration efforts throughout the state.

Filter Total Items: 20
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Closeup image of Corbicula fluminea clams.

The role of the alien clam Corbicula fluminea in the regulation of organic carbon in the San Joaquin River watershed

Sources and fate of various forms of organic carbon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and San Joaquin River watershed are of concern because of the importance of identifying the sources of carbon contributing to the oxygen depletion zone on the San Joaquin River near the city of Stockton, the need to understand the causes of the low primary and secondary production in the Delta, and the...
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California Water Science Center
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The role of the alien clam Corbicula fluminea in the regulation of organic carbon in the San Joaquin River watershed

Sources and fate of various forms of organic carbon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) and San Joaquin River watershed are of concern because of the importance of identifying the sources of carbon contributing to the oxygen depletion zone on the San Joaquin River near the city of Stockton, the need to understand the causes of the low primary and secondary production in the Delta, and the...
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Map showing sampling site locations in the Yolo Bypass

Pesticide Occurrence in California – Yolo Bypass Pesticide Analyses

The project is part of an overarching Interagency Ecological Program (IEP)/Department of Water Resources (DWR) study that is focused on understanding the processes by which the Yolo Bypass may provide a fall food web supply for the Cache Slough Complex and downstream regions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Several studies conducted since 2011 have shown that phytoplankton blooms can be...
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California Water Science Center
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Pesticide Occurrence in California – Yolo Bypass Pesticide Analyses

The project is part of an overarching Interagency Ecological Program (IEP)/Department of Water Resources (DWR) study that is focused on understanding the processes by which the Yolo Bypass may provide a fall food web supply for the Cache Slough Complex and downstream regions of the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. Several studies conducted since 2011 have shown that phytoplankton blooms can be...
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Image: Golden Gate Bridge, California

Water-Quality Inventory Pesticides in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

In 1998, all urban creeks in the San Francisco Bay Area were added to the Clean Water Act Section 303d list due to known or suspected diazinon impairment. Diazinon is an organophosphorus insecticide used on lawns, and fruit and vegetables. This pesticide has since been "phased out" and has not been available for purchase since late 2004. Diazinon use is declining and is being replaced by other...
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California Water Science Center
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Water-Quality Inventory Pesticides in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

In 1998, all urban creeks in the San Francisco Bay Area were added to the Clean Water Act Section 303d list due to known or suspected diazinon impairment. Diazinon is an organophosphorus insecticide used on lawns, and fruit and vegetables. This pesticide has since been "phased out" and has not been available for purchase since late 2004. Diazinon use is declining and is being replaced by other...
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Estuary and bird

Variability of Salinity and Temperature In San Francisco Bay

The USGS has been collecting specific conductance (salinity) and water temperature data in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) since 1990. Data are typically collected at 5-10 fixed locations throughout the bay, every fifteen minutes, every minute of the day.
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California Water Science Center, San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary
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Variability of Salinity and Temperature In San Francisco Bay

The USGS has been collecting specific conductance (salinity) and water temperature data in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) since 1990. Data are typically collected at 5-10 fixed locations throughout the bay, every fifteen minutes, every minute of the day.
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Microscopic view of a phytoplankton cell collected in San Francisco Bay

Causes and Relevance of Phytoplankton Blooms in the Northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Phytoplankton are an important part of aquatic food webs and ecosystems. These single-celled plants grow faster in the stronger light of spring or summer, resulting in population explosions called phytoplankton blooms. These blooms in turn feed zooplankton (free-floating aquatic microorganisms), providing food for many aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates.
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California Water Science Center
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Causes and Relevance of Phytoplankton Blooms in the Northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta

Phytoplankton are an important part of aquatic food webs and ecosystems. These single-celled plants grow faster in the stronger light of spring or summer, resulting in population explosions called phytoplankton blooms. These blooms in turn feed zooplankton (free-floating aquatic microorganisms), providing food for many aquatic species, including fish, shrimp, crabs, and other invertebrates.
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USGS research vessel mapping in Alviso Slough in south San Francisco Bay

Improved Lower South Bay suspended-sediment flux measurements

Tidal marshes provide animal habitats and prevent erosion. Expanding towns and cities have claimed major parts of San Francisco Bay’s marshland. Sediment deposits are essential to rebuilding tidal marshes and keeping existing marshes intact. In the southern part of the Bay, the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the west coast is underway. Sediment flux measurements are key in deciding...
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California Water Science Center
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Improved Lower South Bay suspended-sediment flux measurements

Tidal marshes provide animal habitats and prevent erosion. Expanding towns and cities have claimed major parts of San Francisco Bay’s marshland. Sediment deposits are essential to rebuilding tidal marshes and keeping existing marshes intact. In the southern part of the Bay, the largest tidal wetland restoration project on the west coast is underway. Sediment flux measurements are key in deciding...
Learn More
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aerial view of bay-delta region

Effects of Aquatic Vegetation on Water Quality and Residence Time in the Bay-Delta

The spread of invasive aquatic vegetation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is having a profound impact on the Delta’s natural habitat. The presence of these “aquatic weeds” has been shown to alter water velocity and increase water clarity, posing threats to native fish species, specifically the threatened Delta Smelt. These aquatic plants can also affect the foodweb by altering nutrient...
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California Water Science Center
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Effects of Aquatic Vegetation on Water Quality and Residence Time in the Bay-Delta

The spread of invasive aquatic vegetation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is having a profound impact on the Delta’s natural habitat. The presence of these “aquatic weeds” has been shown to alter water velocity and increase water clarity, posing threats to native fish species, specifically the threatened Delta Smelt. These aquatic plants can also affect the foodweb by altering nutrient...
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Aerial overview of locations of tidal wetlands sampled

Ecology of Selected Tidal Wetlands of the San Francisco Estuary

Researachers study differences of tidal marsh restoration efforts throughout Bay-Delta ecosystem.
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California Water Science Center
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Ecology of Selected Tidal Wetlands of the San Francisco Estuary

Researachers study differences of tidal marsh restoration efforts throughout Bay-Delta ecosystem.
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