San Francisco Estuary Project

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Since estuaries ecosystem is so complex, the restoration effort has to focus in many different areas. But one of the main targets for the future is tidal channels and the connectivity between aquatic and wetland habitats. Recently a growing interest can be seen in the restoration of ponds and pannes because of their importance for birds. Tidal restoration has also moved beyond the salt marsh to freshwater marsh because of the awareness of the important link between them and adjacent aquatic ecosystems through food web dynamics. And a major realization in recent times is the need for improved public outreach and involvement (Callaway, Parker, Vasey, Schile, & Herbert, 2011).

The San Francisco Estuary restoration is not the only estuary that is being restore in the United States. In Southwest Florida, restoration efforts are focused in the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, and Charlotte Harbor. These are very important since this region is about 20% of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The three main problems in Florida are water quality degradation, hydrologic alteration, and habitat degradation. Nutrient enrichment has caused the loss of habitat for seagrass and is a problem throughout the whole region. In respond to this problem, a numeric nutrient criterion was created, and goals have been established to meet regionally. Also, efforts have been implemented to reduce a number of nutrients in the water. In the 1920s, districts were established with the goal of draining freshwater marsh. Reestablishing natural water low is a priority in the restoration efforts. During the 1950s and 1960s, canals were created to build coastal developments what have eliminated mangrove habitats. Many mangrove wetlands were fragmented, and their ecological function was reduced (Florida Gulf national estuary program, 2013).

The regional vision created for the restoration of these ecosystems is focused in six areas. The first one is to build landscape connections to improve ecosystem continuity. The second one is restoring the balance in ecosystems that were hit hard by development including the acquisition of land necessary. The third area is to restore the water quality to increase the acreage of seagrass, which is critical to Florida estuaries. The forth is the restoration of the natural freshwater inflow to estuaries and coasts to maintain healthier coastal and estuarine waterways. The fifth is the creation of a constituency of informed and involved citizens. The sixth area is the building of partnerships that help in the achievement of a significant restoration (Florida Gulf national estuary program, 2013).

Estuaries are important and complex ecosystems. Human population growth and activities have damaged them greatly. But efforts are being made in many places throughout the nation. Efforts are not perfect but have achieved a certain degree of improvement. But there is still a lot that can be done and there are still many challenges ahead. But if the citizens get involved and active in these efforts, it will be done, and a legacy for the next generation will be built.

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References

Callaway, J. C., Parker, V. T., Vasey, M. C., Schile, L. M., & Herbert, E. R. (2011). Tidal wetland restoration in San Francisco Bay: History and current issues. San Francisco Estuary and Watershed Science. Retrieved from http://userwww.sfsu.edu/parker/pages/respubs/CallawayEtAl2011SFEWS.pdf

Cohen, A. (2000). An introduction to the San Francisco Estuary (3rd ed.). Richmond, CA: San Francisco Estuary Institute.

Florida Gulf national estuary program. (2013). Southwest Florida regional ecosystem restoration plan. Retrieved from http://www.tbeptech.org/attachments/article/131/Southwest%20Florida%20Regional%20Ecosystem%20Restoration%20Plan,%20adopted%203-8-2013.pdf

Hogan, C. M. (2015). Habitat fragmentation. The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved from http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/153225/

NOAA Ocean Service Education. (2008). Estuaries. Retrieved from http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/kits/estuaries/estuaries03_ecosystem.html

Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2012). Elements of ecology (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.