California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the.

California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North
This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the Questions/Answered Box development. Text in the main part of each page doesn’t not reflect recent edits and should not be used. The text that should be used in those areas is the text that has been loaded into the estuary workgroup website.

Instructions for left navigation bar:
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Instructions for left navigation bar: Estuaries: links to the “California Estuaries” introduction page (slide 3) Laws, Regulations, and Standards: links to the “What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries (slide 6) Research: links to “What research is being performed in the SF Estuary?” (slide 8) Monitoring…: links to the “what monitoring programs…” (slide 9) Restoration and Management: can we get rid of this link for now? Combined this information with research

Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries California Estuaries …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are estuaries, and why are they important? Where are California’s estuaries? How healthy are California’s estuaries? What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries? How can I be part of the solution? Main image/map would be of SF Bay, followed by Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, followed by Sacramento River, followed by Morro Bay. People will be able to click directly to the SF Estuary pages (slide 10 and following) from the SF Bay and Delta images. Other images will be other California estuaries that won’t be clickable until those pages are developed later. Each of the questions in the “Questions Answered” box will link to introduction pages on each of those questions, except “what are estuaries, and why are they important?” which is bolded to indicate that this is the page you are on, and the one that is grayed out which will need to say “Content in Development” or something when you click/hover on it. Clicking on the blue text will open a wiki with basic information on those topics. What are estuaries? Estuaries are partly enclosed bodies of water where fresh water coming down the rivers mixes with salt water from the sea. A range of coastal landforms fits this description, including bays, harbors, inlets, lagoons, and some wetlands. There are many types of estuaries in California including •bar-built,[opens wiki] •open river mouths, [opens wiki] and •perennially tidal estuaries. [opens wiki] Why are they important? Estuaries provide us with a suite of resources, benefits, and services. Some of these can be measured in dollars and cents, others cannot. Estuaries provide places for recreational activities, scientific study, and aesthetic enjoyment. They are an irreplaceable natural resource that must be managed carefully for the mutual benefit of all who enjoy and depend on them. Environmental Benefits Thousands of species of birds, mammals, fish, and other wildlife depend on estuarine habitats as places to live, feed, and reproduce. And many marine organisms, including most commercially-important species of fish, depend on estuaries at some point during their development. Because they are biologically productive, estuaries provide ideal areas for migratory birds to rest and re-fuel during their long journeys. Because many species of fish and wildlife rely on the sheltered waters of estuaries as protected spawning places, estuaries are often called the "nurseries of the sea.“ Economic Benefits Estuaries have important commercial value and their resources provide economic benefits for tourism, fisheries, and recreational activities. The protected coastal waters of estuaries also support important public infrastructure, serving as harbors and ports vital for shipping and transportation. Ecosystem Services Estuaries also perform other valuable services. Water draining from uplands carries sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants to estuaries. As the water flows through wetlands such as swamps and salt marshes, much of the sediments and pollutants are filtered out. This filtration process creates cleaner and clearer water, which benefits both people and marine life. Wetland plants and soils also act as natural buffers between the land and ocean, absorbing flood waters and dissipating storm surges. This protects upland habitat as well as valuable real estate from storm and flood damage. Salt marsh grasses and other estuarine plants also help prevent erosion and stabilize shorelines. Learn more about estuaries. EPA - Basic Information about Estuaries

Where Are California’s Estuaries?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where Where Are California’s Estuaries? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED Where are California’s estuaries? San Francisco Estuary Santa Monica Bay Elkhorn Slough Morro Bay Estuary Smith River Estuary Klamath River Estuary Mad River Estuary Noyo River Estuary Eel River Estuary Russian River Estuary Hundreds of estuaries are found in California, including the San Francisco Estuary (SF Estuary), Santa Monica Bay, and Morro Bay Estuary among others. The goal of the California Estuaries Portal is to provide comparable information on each of these estuaries. The first step in building the portal is focused on California’s largest estuary, the SF Estuary. Information describing the health of California’s other estuaries will follow. - You get to this page by clicking on the “Where are California’s Estuaries?” question in the Questions Answered box on the intro page (slide 3) - Clicking on “San Francisco Estuary” will take you to the “What is the San Francisco Estuary, and why is it important page? (slide 10)” Clicking on the other estuaries takes to you a wiki that will pop up with basic information on each of them. These pages will be developed further in the future. In the Questions Answered Box, “Where are CA’s estuaries?” is bolded to indicate that that is the page you are on at the moment. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. It’s for general organization.

Water Habitat Living Resources Ecological Processes Stewardship
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health How Healthy Are California’s Estuaries? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Water Habitat Living Resources Ecological Processes Stewardship QUESTIONS ANSWERED How healthy are California’s estuaries? SF Estuary Health How healthy are California’s estuaries? The health of each of California’s estuaries is an estimate of the overall condition of the ecosystem. The health of an estuary as a whole depends on the condition of individual ecosystem elements that combine to create the estuary. This is similar to the health of the human body which is dependent on the health of individual parts like the brain, heart, and bones. Estimating the health of the SF Estuary is the first step in building the My Water Quality Portal that answers the question “Are Our Estuaries Healthy?” Estimating the health of California’s other estuaries will follow. This is the introduction page to “how healthy are CA’s estuaries?” You would get to this page by clicking on the question “How healthy are CA’s estuaries” on the main introduction page (slide 3). Eventually, each estuary will have their own health page, but for the moment, only the SF Estuary health information is presented (see slide 11 for SF Estuary health page). The photos in this sliding viewer thing do NOT link to other pages. Will just be a representative photo for each one and a caption. (this is different from what happens on slide 11). In the Questions Answered Box, “how healthy are Ca’s estuaries?” is bolded to indicate that that is the page you are on at the moment. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. It’s for general organization.

Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Protection What Is Being Done To Protect California’s Estuaries? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries? Laws, Regulations, and Polices Stewardship California’s estuaries, and the organisms that live in them, are protected by many State and federal laws, regulations, and policies designed to prevent the degradation and destruction of Water Quality, Habitat, Living Resources, and Ecological Processes. Some of these protections, which government agencies enforce and uphold, and how they relate to CA Estuaries are described below. Please note: Simply having laws, regulations, and policies in place is not enough to protect California's estuaries and other natural resources. Constant vigilance and effort are necessary to ensure healthy ecosystems and the continued existence of rare and listed species. The initial focus of the Portal is on a description of the policies and programs protecting the SF Estuary. More information on other California estuaries is under development. What Federal Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect California’s Estuaries? (links to the federal part of the laws and regs page [next slide]) - This is the introductory page to what is being done to protect CA’s estuaries. You would get here by clicking on that same question on the introductory page (slide 3). - In the Questions Answered Box, “what’s being done to protect Ca’s estuaries?” is bolded to indicate that that is the page you are on at the moment. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. It’s for general organization - “Laws, Regulations, and Policies” in the Questions Answered box links to slide 7. - Stewardship is grayed out and would need to indicate “Content in Development” - “What Federal Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect CA Estuaries?” (links to the federal part of the laws and regs page [next slide]) - “What State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect CA Estuaries?” [links to the state part of the laws/regs page (next slide)} - “What Policies and Plans Protect the SF Estuary?” [links to the policies and plans specific to the SF Estuary part of the laws/regs page (next slide)] What State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect California’s Estuaries? [links to the state part of the laws/regs page (next slide)} What Policies and Plans Protect the SF Estuary? [links to the policies and plans specific to the SF Estuary part of the laws/regs page (next slide)]

What Policies and Plans Protect the SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Protection Laws What Laws, Regulations, And Policies Protect California’s Estuaries? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries? What laws, regulations, and polices protect California’s estuaries? Federal State SF Estuary Policies and Plans Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What Federal Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect California’s Estuaries? Clean Water Act (CWA) Purpose: To govern water pollution and regulate water quality standards for surface waters Agencies: US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Responsible for managing the nation’s waterways and wetlands. US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Responsible for regulating water quality standards and overseeing USACE regulatory activities How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The health of California estuaries and estuarine species depend on water quality. Habitat, living resources, and ecosystem processes thrive with clean water. Regulations under CWA Section 401 Certification Purpose: Requires federal agencies to certify that their actions under CWA Section 404 do not violate state water quality standards Agency: State and Regional Water Boards How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Section 401 of the CWA ensures that federal 404 permits within California do not harm estuarine ecosystems by impacting water quality with the discharge of dredged or fill material. Wetlands, riparian areas, and headwaters are vulnerable to filling, which can affect the health of these areas. Section 404 Permits Purpose: To regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material (such as soil or sediments) into water waters of the US Agencies: USACE and USFWS How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Dredged or fill materials can be almost any substance or pollutant that can adversely affect water quality or navigation. Section 404 permits are issued for a range of activities such as construction, mining, and levee installation. Typically, the permit review process seeks to avoid or minimize impacts on aquatic ecosystems. These permits would protect water quality for CA Estuaries from local or upstream project activities. Additional Resources: USACE Jurisdiction Mitigation Guidance (Section 404(b)(1)) What You Need to Know About Section 404 Permits (PowerPoint presentation) Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) Program (CWA Section 303(d), California Code Section ) Purpose: To protect and maintain water quality, waters that do not meet water quality standards are listed as “impaired.” TMDLs are developed to restore impaired water bodies. Agency: State Water Boards How this Relates to CA Estuaries: The health of California estuaries and estuarine species depend on water quality. Habitat, living resources, and ecosystem processes thrive with clean water. TMDLs improve water quality by controlling the amount of pollutants that enter impaired water bodies. Additional Resources: California's Impaired Waters List Endangered Species Act (ESA) Purpose: To protect and recover imperiled species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. Agencies: The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Responsible for protecting terrestrial and freshwater species National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Responsible for protecting marine and anadromous [link to definition] species How This Relates to CA Estuaries: California’s estuaries provide essential habitat for a number of plant and animal species listed as endangered, threatened, or other special status categories by the federal government. The ESA protects these species by prohibiting “take” and preserving their habitat. Some of these federal listed species include Delta Smelt, Giant garter snake, Western snowy plover, Chinook Salmon, and Southern sea otter. Additional Resources: NOAA ESA Fact Sheet USFWS ESA Fact Sheet USFWS Permits for Native Species under ESA Regulations under ESA Section 7 Consultation (ESA Section 7(a)(2)) Purpose: To ensure that federal agency actions do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species Agencies: USFWS and NOAA Fisheries How This Relates to CA Estuaries: All federal actions, including those that they fund or authorize, are reviewed to protect listed species. Because California estuaries are habitat for listed species, any federal actions that may negatively affect the species or their habitat would require a Section 7 Consultation. Additional Resources: A Brief Explanation of Section 7 Consultations Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) (ESA Section 10(a)(1)(B)) Purpose: To minimize or mitigate impacts to listed and non-listed species from proposed, non-federal projects and to authorize incidental take of listed species Agencies: USFWS and NOAA Fisheries How This Relates to CA Estuaries: HCPs are required when applying for federal incidental take permits. The permit applicants design, implement, and secure funding for a conservation plan that minimizes and mitigates harm to the impacted species during the proposed project. Some HCPs that include CA Estuaries in their plan areas are East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP and Solano Multispecies HCP/NCCP. Additional Resources: USFWS HCP Fact Sheet NOAA Endangered Species Permits FAQ Estuary Restoration Act Purpose: To promote the restoration of estuary habitat, develop a national Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy, provide financial and technical assistance to restoration projects, and to develop and enhance monitoring, data sharing, and research capabilities Agency: Estuary Habitat Restoration Council (NOAA, US Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, US Department of Agriculture) How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Estuary habitat restoration would benefit the health of CA estuaries. Additional Resources: The Estuary Restoration Act and NOAA USACE Estuary Restoration Act Summary Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) [insert NOAA logo next to text] Purpose: To manage US coastal resources and balance economic development with environmental conservation Agency: NOAA Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) outlines two national programs, the National Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. These coastal programs aim to balance competing land and water issues in the coastal zone, while estuarine reserves serve as field laboratories to provide a greater understanding of estuaries and how humans impact them. The overall program objectives of CZMA remain balanced to "preserve, protect, develop, and where possible, to restore or enhance the resources of the nation's coastal zone.” Eelgrass Mitigation Policy [insert eelgrass photo next to text] Purpose: To protect eelgrass for its ecological and economic benefits through mitigation Agency: NOAA Fisheries How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Eelgrass and other seagrasses provide valuable habitat for federally protected marine species. The protection of eelgrass would benefit the conservation and protection of these species. Additional Resources: What is Eelgrass? Article on NOAA Eelgrass Restoration California Endangered Species Act (CESA) [Insert Bald Eagle picture next to text] Purpose: To protect California native species and their habitats from extinction and significant decline that would lead to extinction Agency: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) How This Relates to CA Estuaries: California’s estuaries provide essential habitat for a number of plant and animal species listed as endangered, threatened, or other special status categories by the state. The CESA protects these species by prohibiting “take” and preserving their habitat. Some of these state listed species include Longfin Smelt, Salt marsh harvest mouse, Chinook Salmon, Greater sandhill crane, and Bald eagles. Regulations under CESA Consistency Determinations (FGC Section ) Purpose: To ensure that federal actions are consistent with CESA, this is similar to the ESA Section 7 Consultations [link to Section 7 description] Agency: CDFW How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Federally authorized incidental take of state listed species must be approved by CDFW to uphold CESA protections. This is one of many ways the state can protect CA estuarine species, by reviewing federal projects and planning ahead to minimize and avoid species and habitat loss. Incidental Take Permits (FGC Section ) Purpose: To work with development projects to avoid potential impacts to rare, endangered, and threatened species and to offset project caused species and habitat loss Agency: CDFW How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Incidental take permits allow us to balance human use and the environment of CA Estuaries. It supports responsible planning and development to protect listed species but without preventing growth. Natural Community Conservation Planning Act (NCCPA) Purpose: To provide an early planning framework for proposed development projects within a planning area to avoid, minimize, and compensate for project impacts to wildlife and their habitat Agency: CDFW How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Similar to federal Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) [link to HCP description] and CESA incidental take permits (see above), Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs) protect species and their habitat while allowing for responsible economic development. There are several NCCPs that include CA Estuaries in their plan areas (e.g., East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP, Solano Multispecies HCP/NCCP). Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act (Porter-Cologne) Purpose: To establish and enforce water quality standards in California for beneficial uses, such as drinking water, endangered species habitat protection, and recreation Agency: State Water Resource Control Boards (State Water Boards) How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The health of California estuaries and estuarine species depend on water quality. Habitat, living resources, and ecosystem processes thrive with clean water. Additional Resources: Summary of Porter-Cologne The California Coastal Act [Insert Coastal Commission Logo next to text] Purpose: To protect coastal resources, including recreation, agriculture, water quality, development, and habitat protection Agency: California Coastal Commission How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The Coastal Commission's primary role in regards to estuary protection is the regulation of coastal development. Under California’s federally-approved Coastal Management Program, the California Coastal Commission manages development along the California coast except for San Francisco Bay, where the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission oversees development. California Senate Bill 1070, Coordination of Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Purpose: Established the Water Quality Monitoring Council to standardize, enhance, and improve coordination for water quality and related ecosystem monitoring, assessment, and reporting and to increase public accessibility to data and information Agencies: Water Quality Monitoring Council How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup (CEMW), a workgroup under the Water Quality Monitoring Council, is developing methods to assess the health of the San Francisco Estuary and shares its findings, data, and information on the California Estuaries Portal. Governor’s Executive Order #S-13-08: Climate Adaptation Strategy [insert CA Governor's seal image next to Executive order text] Purpose: Directed state agencies to plan for sea level rise and climate change impacts through coordination of the state Climate Adaptation Strategy Agencies: Natural Resources Agency; Department of Water Resources; California costal management agencies, such as California Coastal Commission; and the California Energy Commission How This Relates to CA Estuaries: Sea level rise and climate change would cause habitat loss and put additional stressors on fragile species and ecosystems. Additional Resources: • California Climate Adaptation Strategy Governor’s Executive Order #S-03-05: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction/Climate Action Team Purpose: Established greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, created the Climate Action Team, and directed the Secretary of Cal/EPA to coordinate efforts with other state agencies. Agencies: Cal/EPA and Climate Action Team How This Relates to CA Estuaries: The efforts to reduce GHG include assessing GHG impacts and developing mitigation and adaptation plans. CA Estuaries may be sensitive to GHG and climate change impacts. Regulatory Instruments [insert picture of Delta Smelt and Friant Dam] Endangered Fish Species Biological Opinions USFWS Biological Opinion for the Long-Term Operations of the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP) Purpose: To assess the impacts of the state and federal water projects on Delta smelt and provide requirements to avoid jeopardizing the species Lead Agency: USFWS Additional Resources: • USFWS State and Federal Water Projects Biological Opinion: An Overview (PowerPoint Presentation) NMFS Biological Opinion (BiOp) for the Long-Term Operations of the SWP and CVP Purpose: To assess the impacts of the state and federal water projects on Chinook salmon and provide requirements to avoid jeopardizing the species Lead Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA’s) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Additional Resources: • NMFS 2011 BiOp Amendment • NMFS 2009 BiOp on California’s Central Valley Water Project (PowerPoint Presentation) Fish Restoration Program Agreement Purpose: To address specific habitat restoration requirements of the USFWS and NOAA Fisheries biological opinions for the SWP and CVP operations and the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) longfin smelt incidental take permit for SWP operations Lead Agencies: DWR and DFW Delta Levees Special Flood Control Projects Program Purpose: To fund local agencies in the Delta for habitat projects linked to flood management improvements Lead Agency: DWR, Delta Levees Program Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) Purpose: To reduce the risk of flooding and provide more ecosystem and habitat protection Lead Agency: Central Valley Flood Protection Board Additional Resources: • CVFPP Website Adopted Plans Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan [insert State and Regional Water Boards logo next to text] Purpose: To identify beneficial uses of the Bay-Delta, develop water quality objectives to protect the beneficial uses, and develop an implementation program to meet water quality objectives Lead Agency: State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) Strategic Workplan for Activities in the San Francisco Bay Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary Purpose: To protect the beneficial uses of water in the Bay-Delta estuary, including water rights, quality, and adequate flows. Lead Agencies: Central Valley Regional, San Francisco Bay, and State Water Quality Control Boards Local Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs) Purpose: To allow for economic activities to continue will while minimizing and mitigating the impact of authorized incidental take of covered species and to conserve these species and their habitats Completed Plans in the Delta: San Joaquin Multispecies HCP and East Contra Costa County HCP/NCCP Plans under Development: The Bay Delta Conservation Plan, Yolo Natural Heritage Program Plan, South Sacramento HCP, and Solano Multispecies HCP. Proposed Plans Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) [insert BDCP river photo] Purpose: The BDCP is a comprehensive conservation strategy aimed at protecting dozens of species of fish and wildlife, while permitting the reliable operation of California’s two biggest water delivery projects Lead Agencies: Department of Water Resources (DWR), Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Marine Fisheries Service, in cooperation with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Please note: The BDCP is still under development. [insert Delta Stewardship council logo] Delta Plan [insert Delta Stewardship Council photo] Purpose: To improve California’s water supply reliability, protect and enhance the Delta ecosystem and as a unique and evolving place, improve water quality, reduce flood risk, and set an example by using “best available science” Lead Agency: Delta Stewardship Council Suisun Marsh Habitat Management, Preservation, and Restoration Plan Purpose: To restore 5,000-7,000 acres of tidal marsh and enhance 44,000-46,000 acres of managed wetlands, including a levee stability element, through a locally acceptable multi-stakeholder approach. Lead Agencies: USBR, USFWS, CDFW, DWR, NMFS, Suisun Resources Conservation District SF Estuary Habitat Restoration Guidance Baylands Ecosystem Habitat Goals: A Report of Habitat Recommendations Purpose: To guide the public in restoring and improving the baylands and adjacent habitats of the SF Estuary Lead Agencies: US Environmental Protection Agency and SF Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board Preparer: San Francisco Bay Area Wetlands Ecosystem Goals Project San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project Purpose: To achieve, over the next 50 years, a net improvement of the San Francisco Bay’s subtidal ecosystem through science-based protection and restoration of habitats Lead Agency: San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), California Ocean Protection Council (OPC)/California State Coastal Conservancy (SCC), NOAA Habitat Conservation, NOAA Restoration Center, and the San Francisco Estuary Partnership (SFEP) Additional Resources: • San Francisco Bay Subtidal Habitat Goals Project website The Conservation Lands Network: San Francisco Bay Area Upland Habitat Goals Project Report Purpose: To identify the most essential lands needed to sustain the biodiversity of the San Francisco Bay Area and to guide informed investments in biodiversity conservation Lead Agency: Bay Area Open Space Council Additional Resources: • The Conservation Lands Network • A summary of the Conservation Lands Network • Article on biologist and landowner perspectives on the Conservation Lands Network EPA logo USFWS logo USACE logo In the Q/A box, “Federal” jumps to the federal laws section on this page, “State” jumps to the state laws section on this page, and “SF Estuary…” jumps to the SF Estuary policies and plans section on this page. Arrange logos and images as you think best. Just keep certain logos near/next to certain sections of text, and there are notes on the estuary website page to guide you. Image of clapper rail NOAA logo Image of eelgrass [more logos will be used below, but didn’t use a blue box again. You get the idea.] What State Laws, Regulations, and Policies Protect California’s Estuaries? What Policies and Plans Protect the SF Estuary?

What Research Is Being Performed In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Research What Research Is Being Performed In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Many groups are conducting and funding original research in the SF Estuary, including those listed below. This is not an exhaustive list. CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Ecosystem Restoration Program Delta Science Program Grants Fellows Interagency Ecological Program National Science Foundation Point Blue Conservation Science (PRBO) San Francisco Estuary Institute San Francisco Invasive Spartina Project San Francisco National Estuarine Research Reserve System (link to and State and Federal Contractors Water Agency University of California, Davis University of California, Davis Information Center for the Environment University of California, Berkeley University of California, Santa Barbara, National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis U.S. Geological Survey - You get to this page from clicking on “research” on the left blue navigation bar.

What Monitoring Programs, Data Sources, And Reports Are Available?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Monitoring What Monitoring Programs, Data Sources, And Reports Are Available? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Many groups are monitoring and reporting various water-related components in the SF Estuary, including those listed below. The Central Valley Monitoring Directory is a good source of metadata for much of the monitoring being performed in the Central Valley. Monitoring Programs (link to section below) Additional Data Sources (link to section below) Reports (link to section below) Monitoring Programs CA Department of Fish and Wildlife CA Department of Pesticide Regulation CA Department of Water Resources Water Data Library Interagency Ecological Program Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Point Reyes Bird Observatory Conservation Science – San Francisco Bay Program San Francisco Bay Joint Venture San Francisco Bay Regional Monitoring Program San Francisco Invasive Spartina Project Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Additional Data Sources CA Environmental Data Exchange CA Data Exchange Center U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System Reports Delta Bay-Delta Strategic Workplan Ca Department of Fish and Wildlife Ecosystem Restoration Program Conservation Strategy Delta Atlas Delta Historical Ecology Study Delta Science Plan Delta Vision Foundation Report Card Pelagic Organism Decline Reports Public Policy Institute of California Reports Pulse of the Delta The State of the Bay-Delta, 2008 San Francisco Bay National Coastal Conditions Reports Pulse of the Estuary San Francisco Estuary Partnership Comprehensive Conservation Management Program San Francisco Habitat Goals Project State of The San Francisco Bay Report State of the Birds Report - You get to this page from clicking on “monitoring programs, data sources, and reports” on the left blue navigation bar.

< > What Is The San Francisco Estuary, And Why Is It Important?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco What Is The San Francisco Estuary, And Why Is It Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What is the San Francisco Estuary, and why is it important? How healthy is the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect the SF Estuary? How can I be part of the solution? < > Flyover video with caption What is the San Francisco Estuary? The San Francisco Estuary (SF Estuary) is a partly enclosed body of water where salt water from the Pacific Ocean mixes with freshwater from rivers draining the surrounding watershed. The SF Estuary is the largest estuary on the west coasts of North and South America and includes the Golden Gate Strait, San Francisco, San Pablo, and Richardson Bays (western Bays), Carquinez Strait, Suisun, Grizzly, and Honker Bays (eastern Bays), and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta (Delta). The mixing of sea water and freshwater creates characteristic estuarine aquatic habitat that transitions from salty sea water to brackish (less salty) to freshwater. Tides bring water from the Pacific Ocean through the Golden Gate Strait into the estuary while California’s two largest rivers, the Sacramento and San Joaquin, contribute the greatest amount of freshwater to the estuary. The Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers carry water from the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges to the Delta where the transition from freshwater to sea water is observed. The river channels combine, and fresh and salty water mix and move back and forth with the tides throughout the SF Estuary. Why is it important? The SF Estuary is a valuable ecological and economic resource, and the natural resources found there are the building blocks of the economy, our communities, and ecosystems. Ecology The continual mixture of salt and fresh water is the foundation of the ecological richness observed in the estuary. The estuary provides food and shelter for more than 750 species of plants, fish, and other wildlife including endangered or threatened species. Two-thirds of the state’s salmon pass through the estuary on their way upstream to lay their eggs. Hundreds of thousands of birds migrating between the Arctic and South America, about half of the Pacific Flyway migratory water birds, use the wetlands, mudflats, and shoreline areas in the estuary to rest and feed. Over a million birds visit the area each year. Mammals such as harbor seals, and reptiles such as the giant garter snake make their home in the estuary year-round. Economy and Community The SF Estuary region attracts and supports a vibrant economy and many communities. The visually striking shorelines and beautiful bays and beaches make it one of the country’s most desirable places to live, work, and visit. The estuary provides water to approximately 30 million Californians and their communities where it is used for drinking water supply, residential yards, community parks, schools, and businesses. The region is home to Silicon Valley, the international hub of the high-tech industry, and is a global tourist destination for water and land recreation including boating, fishing, surfing, swimming, hiking, and biking. SF Estuary resources support important parts of the regional and national economy, including commercial and recreational fisheries, diverse agricultural production that helps feed California and the rest of the world, three large commercial ports, and important water supply infrastructure. Learn more about the SF Estuary's origin, size, and structure [open wiki page]. - Video at top will be a flyover with specific sites marked – use progression starting at headwaters and move through the estuary to show both the scenic and man-made, Cache Slough, Suisun Marsh, Yolo Bypass, Yosemite (tulomne), Hetch Hetchy, Aquaduct… - You would get to this slide from clicking on the SF Estuary from the “Where are CA’s estuaries slide?” or from the image/map on the introductory estuaries slide (slide 3) In the Q/A box, “how healthy is the SF Estuary?” links to the introductory page for that (slide 11), “what’s being done?” links back to “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries?” (slide 6), and “how can i…” needs to indicate “Content in Development” Need to have a caption beneath the video with a short description of what it shows to entice the public the view it

Ecological Processes Picture
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health How Healthy Is The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Water Picture Habitat Picture Living Resources Picture Ecological Processes Picture Stewardship Picture QUESTIONS ANSWERED What is the San Francisco Estuary, and why is it important? How healthy is the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect the SF Estuary? How can I be part of the solution? How healthy is the SF Estuary? The SF Estuary is in crisis due to rapidly declining resident and migratory fish populations, the collapse of California’s salmon fishing industry, changes and declines in the aquatic food web, and water supply limits for aquatic life, agriculture, urban, and industrial uses. The impact of these changes is magnified and concentrated in the eastern part of the SF Estuary, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, where the high demand for fresh water combined with substantial landscape and hydrological modification amplifies California’s vulnerability to natural drought cycles that can drastically reduce water supply needed to support aquatic habitat, commercial fisheries, agriculture, industry, and communities. Long-term and recent abrupt declines in plankton and fish populations and persistent water quality problems are the primary reasons the ecosystem is considered to be in a state of poor health. However, some populations of fish and invertebrates are rising. Evaluating SF Estuary health in a systemic way will identify which parts of the estuary are in good or improving health and which parts of the estuary are in poor or declining health. The San Francisco Estuary Project State of the Bay Report (2011) shows water quality has improved over the last fifty years due to better sewage treatment systems, solid waste disposal, and chemical regulation. These changes have improved water quality, substantially decreasing observed aquatic toxicity and protecting water for safe swimming. However, persistent water quality problems such as mercury, selenium, and toxicity remain in some portions of the estuary, and new water quality concerns are emerging such as negative aquatic life impacts from personal care and pharmaceutical products. How do we assess health? The health of the SF Estuary is estimated by evaluating five ecosystem elements called “key attributes.” The key attributes are living resources, water, habitat, ecological processes, and stewardship. They are the same attributes used in State of the San Francisco Bay 2011 Report [link to SOTB Report] to evaluate the health of the San Francisco Bay (the western portion of the SF Estuary). Measurable elements of each attribute are used to evaluate the condition or health of the five attributes, which are then used to estimate the overall health of the estuary. The Portal is currently focusing on an evaluation of the health of Living Resources [Link to "Why are Living Resources a Key Attribute" page] and Water [Link to "why is water a key attribute" page] in the SF Estuary. Evaluating SF Estuary health using measurable elements of the five ecosystem attributes provides a comprehensive assessment that will identify parts of the ecosystem with good or improving health and parts that with poor or declining health. The remaining key attributes: Habitat [link to "why is habitat a key attribute" page], Ecological Processes [link to "why are Ecological Processes a key attribute" page], and Stewardship [grayed out, will eventually link to "why is stewardship a key attribute page?"] are under development. In the blue sliding viewer thing, clicking on “living resources” links to “why are living resources a key attribute?” (slide 12), clicking on “water” links to “why is water a key attribute”, clicking on habitat links to “why is habitat a key attribute?”, clicking on ecological processes links to “why are ecological processes a key attribute?”, and stewardship (which will still have a picture) will be grayed out and will not link to anything, will say “Content in Development” when you hover on it, if possible. “What’s being done to protect the SF estuary?” question links to slide 6

Why are Living Resources a Key Attribute?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources Why are Living Resources a Key Attribute? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED How healthy is the SF Estuary? Why are living resources a key attribute? How do we determine the health of living resources? Zooplankton Benthic Organisms Phytoplankton Fish Birds Plants Mammals Why are living resources a key attribute? Healthy estuaries support diverse and resilient populations of living resources, dominated by native species and broadly distributed across different habitats. These living resources include phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic organisms, fish, birds, plants, and mammals. How healthy are SF Estuary living resources? To evaluate the health of living resources, scientists have identified health indicators for the SF Estuary. Learn more about the most recent evaluation of the state of the SF Bay. (link to SOTB Report 2011) - You would get to this slide by clicking on living resources from previous slide. Pictures in sliding thing would be phytoplankton, zooplankton, etc. and clicking on them links to their “what is it and why is it important” pages. In Q/A box, “how do we determine the health of living resources?” links to next slide (slide 13). “Why are living resources… is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on and will not link anywhere.” It is there for general organization. Clicking on “how healthy is the SF Estuary?” will take you back to slide 11

How Do We Determine The Health Of Living Resources?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Health Diagram How Do We Determine The Health Of Living Resources? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management How do we determine the health of living resources? Assessing the health of any one attribute can be a complicated process. Conceptual models, such as the one depicted above, can help us assess the health of each attribute by allowing us to identify important health indicators, their trends over time, and the types of drivers that cause changes in the health of the estuary. To determine the health of living resources, we used the key attributes identified in the 2011 State of the San Francisco Bay Report (Water, Habitat, Living Resources, Ecological Processes, and Stewardship). The initial focus of this Portal is on Living Resources, which includes phytoplankton, plants, zooplankton, benthic organisms, fish, birds, and mammals. To assess their health, we evaluated species composition (what kind of organisms?), abundance (how many organisms?), and distribution (where are the organisms?) in the SF Estuary, and started to visualize these aspects. Our final step will be identifying and evaluating drivers (a stimulus that could cause changes in the environment). Identify Key Attributes Water Habitat Ecological Processes Stewardship Describe Health Indicators Species Composition (e.g. native v. exotic) Species Distribution Species Abundance STEP 1 STEP 2 Phytoplankton Define Focal Categories STEP 3 STEP 4 Visualize Trends Native Richness over time Area occupied over time Abundance over time Identify & Evaluate Drivers STEP 5 Drivers Fish Birds Mammals Benthic Organisms Zooplankton Plants Living Resources We are here! Make diagram web friendly but static.

What Are Phytoplankton, And Why Are They Important?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Phytoplankton What Are Phytoplankton, And Why Are They Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are phytoplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? What are phytoplankton? Phytoplankton are small organisms that can be found floating in most water bodies. Like plants, they are primary producers, meaning that they convert light energy from the sun and carbon dioxide into the living matter of their bodies through photosynthesis. Phytoplankton from the SF Estuary fall into four broad categories: cyanobacteria, diatoms, green algae, and various flagellate groups. Why are they important? Phytoplankton are the foundation of the aquatic food web. They feed everything from microscopic, animal-like zooplankton to multi-ton whales. Small fish and benthic organisms also graze on these creatures, and then those smaller animals are eaten by bigger ones. Changes in phytoplankton populations in the SF Estuary can have cascading effects that are felt throughout the food web. Phytoplankton can also affect elements of water quality including: pH, [link to wiki pH page] dissolved oxygen,[link to wiki dissolved oxygen page] algal blooms (toxic and non-toxic) and [link to wiki algal blooms page] water transparency.[link to wiki water transparency page] Monitoring changes in phytoplankton can be useful in assessing water quality trends. It is important to note, however, that because of the transient and free-ranging nature of phytoplankton, their use as water quality indicators is limited and should be interpreted in conjunction with chemical, physical, and biological data. Learn more about how phytoplankton are monitored in the SF Estuary. [link to how and where phytoplankton are monitored page on site] In the Q/A box: The first question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on (“What are phytoplankton?”). Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each phytoplankton page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular phytoplankton section. The “How and where” question links to the next slide (slide 15). The “trends” question links to slide 16. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources. -pH, dissolved oxygen, algal blooms, and water transparancy all link to wikis with basic information on these topics - “Learn more “ links to phytoplankton monitoring page (next slide (15))

How And Where Are Phytoplankton Monitored In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Phytoplankton  Monitored How And Where Are Phytoplankton Monitored In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Phytoplankton Monitoring Stations QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are phytoplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? How and where are phytoplankton monitored? The California DWR Phytoplankton Study measures phytoplankton biomass (how much?), distribution (where are they?) and species composition (what types of species?) as part of the IEP's Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP). Changes in phytoplankton populations are documented in the SF Estuary, from San Pablo Bay to the eastern estuary. Twenty-two sites are sampled monthly, but only eleven are currently sampled for both chlorophyll and phytoplankton. Monitoring sites represent a wide range of habitats of varying sizes and physical conditions, including different levels of water quality. Sites range from narrow, freshwater channels in the Delta to broad, estuarine bays. Phytoplankton biomass estimates are calculated by counting phytoplankton cells under a microscope or by measuring concentrations of chlorophyll a in the water. Scientists can use chlorophyll a, the most common green pigment in all photosynthetic organisms, as an estimate of phytoplankton biomass. Chlorophyll a is relatively easy to measure and is a fairly accurate estimate of phytoplankton volume. Learn more about the methods used to monitor phytoplankton. (links to the D1641 report – phytoplankton methods content, page. 4-2) Where are the data? • More information on phytoplankton monitoring can be found in the Phytoplankton Study Meta Data. In the Q/A box: The first question links to that page (slide 14) The “How and where” question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each phytoplankton page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular phytoplankton section. The “trends” question links to slide 16. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources.

< > What Are SF Estuary Phytoplankton Trends?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Phytoplankton  Trends What Are SF Estuary Phytoplankton Trends? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are phytoplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > Pictures off trends graphs that you can click on to get to details What are SF Estuary phytoplankton trends? Phytoplankton density estimates can be calculated in two ways, either by counting phytoplankton cells under a microscope or by measuring concentrations of chlorophyll a in water. Scientists can use chlorophyll a, the most common green pigment in all photosynthetic organisms, as a proxy measure of phytoplankton biomass. Chlorophyll a is relatively easy to measure and is a fairly accurate estimate of phytoplankton volume. Since 1985, chlorophyll a concentrations have been decreasing in parts of the Central and South Delta as well as downstream of the Delta, particularly in Suisan Bay. Certain types of phytoplankton, including some diatoms, are important food sources for the zooplankton that are favored by native fish, including delta smelt. In many parts of the estuary, these diatoms have either decreased, or larger, single-celled phytoplankton have been replaced by smaller species that may not be as nutritious for zooplankton. Cyanobacteria, some of which can produce toxins that make humans and pets sick, have been increasing in portions of the SF Estuary. Increases in gross primary productivity and phytoplankton biomass have been recorded in some areas of the estuary. Those increases, however, can be driven by just a few species, depending on the region and season, and may or may not be the species that are most beneficial to other animals. In 2010, despite sporadic peaks at some stations, chlorophyll a concentrations overall were relatively low when compared with the historical data. In the Q/A box: The first question links to that page (slide 14). The “How and where” question links to that page (slide 15). The “trends” question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each phytoplankton page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular phytoplankton section. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources. The blue box on the page would present a carousel of graphs (and their captions) about phytoplankton trends.

Note: The graphs on will be presented as a slide carousel on the “What are SF Estuary Phytoplankton Trends?” page. The viewer would see each graph and its caption by clicking on it in the carousel. Each graph on slide 18 will be viewed individually. On slide 19, six graphs depicting the years 1975, 2000, and 2011 will be shown for each regional grouping. Each regions’ six graphs will be viewed together, but each region will be viewed separately. These graphs are in the order that we would like for them to appear in the carousel.

North Delta = stations C3/C3A South Delta = station C10/C10A
CAPTION: This graph depicts the relatively stable trend in chlorophyll a concentrations averaged by year between 1975 and in the North Delta. CAPTION: This graph depicts the trend in chlorophyll a concentrations averaged by year between 1975 and in the South Delta. Note the change in the scale of the y-axis. North Delta = stations C3/C3A South Delta = station C10/C10A Mid Delta = stations D19, D26, D28A, MD10/MD10A, P8 Confluence – Suisun Bay = stations D4, D6, D7, D8 San Pablo Bay = stations D41, D41A Do annual averaging from for chlorophylla, using the station groupings above. CAPTION: This graph depicts the downward trend in chlorophyll a concentrations averaged by year between 1975 and 2012 at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and Suisun Bay. CAPTION: This graph depicts the downward trend in chlorophyll a concentrations averaged by year between 1975 and in the mid Delta. CAPTION: This graph depicts the trend in chlorophyll a concentrations averaged by year between 1975 and 2012 in San Pablo Bay.

Phytoplankton Species Composition Trends in the North Delta
Caption for this chart. 1975 Caption for this chart, 2011 Phytoplankton Species Composition Trends in the North Delta Caption for this chart, 2000 Caption for this chart. 1975 Caption for this chart. 2000 Can’t write titles and captions for these until we see the actual graphs. So, the caption for each pie chart would be: “In 1975, phytoplankton species in the North Delta were dominated by ____” Years: 1975, 2000, 2011 (annual averages) for each of the regional groupings below. So, going to have 3 pie chasrts for the North Delta, 3 for the South, etc., for a total of 15 pie charts. Want to show seasonal trends within years too, so created stacked bar graphs with the x axis as month and the y axis as amounts. Will have a stacked bar graph for year 1975, for year 2000, and for year 2011 too. So will have a total of 15 stacked bar graphs too. Although the bar charts only go through April above, we want them to be for the entire year (through December). North Delta = stations C3/C3A South Delta = station C10/C10A Mid Delta = stations D19, D26, D28A, MD10/MD10A, P8 Confluence – Suisun Bay = stations D4, D6, D7, D8 San Pablo Bay = stations D41, D41A Each of the regional groupings will have individual windows that open from the slide show/carousel that shows these 6 graphs together. Only go one place past the decimal (e.g. 28.9%) and make sure colors correspond to the same phytoplankton groups in each pie chart and bar graph. Emily’s Notes: If we keep the pie charts, each one should have a sentence or two clarifying what is depicted. Even if we go with stacked bar graphs, we’ll still need the text clarifying what they depict. I also think that Hildie’s notes about the graphs below are helpful, and we should go over them with the rest of the group and 34 North. Hildie’s Notes: Instructions for graphs. Chlorophyll a trends – line graph – do not include separate lines for each station. Instead, group data by regions: Suisun, South Delta, North Delta, Central Delta so there will be FOUR lines on the graph (May – Nov – monthly chl a data); Add 10 ug/L line ( label: “zooplankton growth limitation”). Source: Kimmerer et al 2012 Species composition: Need to get vote on whether to display pie charts (as created by 34 North) or stacked bar graphs. Two stacked bar graphs. Phytoplankton abundance over time for 1) Suisun and 2) Delta [data points are annual means for all stations surveyed in each region]. Begin Stacked bar graphs with phytoplankton classes, including the top 6 or 7 categories and lumping everything else: Cyanobacteria, centric diatoms, pennate diatoms, cryptophyceae, haptophytes, unknown and Other (everything else)] Source: Lehman 1996, Lehman 2000, Glibert 2010 [If there is time, also graph seasonal species composition over time for each region – Suisun, Sac R & SJ River. These graphs will be available by clicking on a link: for more detailed information] Pie chart – if we go with this, can we go back further? Note: need to keep % to no more than 2 significant places. Need to specify region – do these graphs use all stations? Can we do separate for Suisun and Delta? Also: - In graphs, think you should keep the same colors for each species in each graph (the same shade of green or whatever for cyanobacteria, etc.) Caption for this chart. 2011 These six graphs would be shown together in the viewer, but would be shown separately from the South Delta and other regions.

What are Zooplankton, and Why are they Important?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Zooplankton What are Zooplankton, and Why are they Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are zooplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? Slide show – Photos SF Estuary zooplankton species (pictures on next slide are part of what will go here) What are zooplankton? Zooplankton are tiny, drifting or weakly swimming animals found in aquatic environments. The most common ones in the SF Estuary include copepods ( cladocerans ( rotifers ( and mysids ( Some zooplankton are native to the Delta, while others have been introduced. Why are they important? Zooplankton are important food sources for larval and juvenile salmon (link to salmon page) striped bass, and splittail, and small fish including delta smelt (link to delta smelt page) in the SF Estuary. Zooplankton species composition varies between salinity zones, resulting in different zooplankton communities in freshwater, brackish and salty environments. Thus their presence and abundance or certain zooplankton species can be an indicator of water salinity. Learn more about how zooplankton abundance is monitored in the SF Estuary. (link to zooplankton monitoring page (next slide)). April: Proposed changes made in red. Please see the comments below from Erin and Jason Added IEP and CDFW logos. Also we need more images. See next page. Comments from CEMW Erin Foresman, USEPA This slide has a great simple definition of zooplankton. I would edit this text the following way to improve it: Zooplankton are important food sources for larval and juvenile salmon, striped bass, and splittail, and small fish including delta smelt in the SF Estuary. Zooplankton species composition differs varies between salinity zones, resulting in different zooplankton communities between in freshwater, to brackish, and to salty environments. Thus their the presence and abundance of certain zooplankton species can indicate salinity water types. COMPLETED. Jason Lofton, Sacramento Regional Sanitation District Should we also mention microzooplankton (heterotrophic ciliates) here? They are very important and common in the food web (major food for copepods and major pathway for energy exchange in the food web). NOT DEALT WITH YET – APRIL, SHOULD WE INCLUDE THEM IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH? April answer- while they are an important component of the food web, they are not something we monitor (study designed to monitor fish food, not zooplankton food). I think this would unnecessarily complicate the story.

Where are zooplankton in the food web?
Photos for slide show on first page Photo of Eurytemora affinis, found in the low salinity zone, a nonnative species that used to be the dominant source of fish food Photos of Pseudodiaptomus forebsi, found in the low salinity zone, a nonnative species that was first detected in 1987 Neomysis mercedis and Hyperacanthomysis longirostris, two SF Estuary Mysids Photo of Limnoithona tetraspina, found in the low salinity sone, a nonnative species that was first detected in 1993 Where are zooplankton in the food web? We need additional images of zooplankton, with short descriptions like the above. Needed: Cladoceran, rotifer We can also associate each image with a link to a web page, e.g. Wikipedia or State of CA content: Plus other images as uploaded to workgroup site

How and Where are Zooplankton Monitored in the SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Zooplankton  Monitored How and Where are Zooplankton Monitored in the SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are zooplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? Zooplankton Monitoring Stations Links: - IEP links to Environmental Monitoring Program links to and Zooplankton study links to “Learn more “ links to D1641 report –zooplankton methods content. Meta Data links to Map: - Map Reference: How and where are zooplankton monitored? The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Zooplankton Study program monitors zooplankton as part of the IEP’s Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP). Changes in zooplankton species composition, abundance, and distribution are documented within the SF Estuary, from San Pablo Bay east through the upper Estuary. Nineteen stations are sampled monthly, including 17 fixed stations and 2 floating entrapment zone stations. Three additional stations are sampled in Carquinez Strait and San Pablo Bay during high outflow periods. Three gear types with a range of net mesh sizes are used to capture zooplankton species of different sizes. Learn more about the methods used to monitor zooplankton. Where are the data? More information on zooplankton monitoring can be found in the study Meta Data. (Logos link to IEP and DFG websites

What are SF Estuary Zooplankton Trends?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Zooplankton  Trends What are SF Estuary Zooplankton Trends? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Photo of Limnoithona tetraspina, found in the low salinity sone, a nonnative species that was first detected in 1993 Photo of Eurytemora affinis, found in the low salinity zone, a nonnative species that used to be the dominant source of fish food Photos of Pseudodiaptomus forebsi, found in the low salinity zone, a nonnative species that was first detected in 1987 Neomysis mercedis and Hyperacanthomysis longirostris, two SF Estuary Mysids Zooplankton Trends in the SF Estuary to 2011 Limnoithona abundance trends (log CPUE) 1979 to 2011, spring sampling period. There was a significant increase in the early 1990’s. Click for the full story and to see other seasons Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi abundance trends (log CPUE) 1974 to 2011, summer sampling period. Eurytemora saw a significant decrease at the same time that Pseudodiaptomus appeared in the SF Estuary. Click for the full story and to see other seasons The abundance of the most common calanoid copepods (including Eurytemora and Pseudodiaptomus) changes between seasons in the SF Estuary, as shown here for Click for the full story QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are zooplankton, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? For the moment, these graphs will be static images and will not link to the live zooplankton data. All Links will take reader to the next page with detailed graphs. (Logos link to IEP and DFG websites

(layout: Figures and associated text will be arranged
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Zooplankton  Trends  More What are SF Estuary Zooplankton Trends? More Information …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… (layout: Figures and associated text will be arranged Vertically: 1 over 2 over 3) Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management There have been big changes in zooplankton abundance and species composition diversity in the SF Estuary, as shown here with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Zooplankton Study of the Delta, Suisun, and San Pablo Bay. In general, there has been a decrease in zooplankton abundance and biomass (that is, a decrease in the availability of zooplankton as food for fish). At the same time, native species have decreased and nonnative invasive species have increased in most parts of the Estuary in most seasons and in most years. The introduced L. tetraspina has become the most abundant copepod, replacing the slightly larger L. sinensis. Despite high numbers of L. tetraspina in the upper SF Estuary, it may be too small to be a viable food source for visual predators like delta smelt. Other copepods, cladocerans, rotifers, and mysids have generally declined overall. Figure 1 shows the trends in seasonal (spring, summer and fall) abundance between 1979 and 2011 of two nonnative species of cyclopoid copepods, Limnoithona tetraspina , which first appeared in 1993, and Limnoithona sinsensis, which first appeared in These two species have been increasing since 1979 during all seasons and are now typically two of the most abundant species of zooplankton sampled. They are smaller and are considered lower quality than the native species that were the dominant source of food for native fish in the past (including Eurytemora affinis, Figure 2). The two lines represent sampling results from two different size sampling nets. Abundance is indicated on the Y axis, as catch per unit effort (CPUE) on a log scale. [link to definitions] Figure 2 shows the trends in seasonal (spring, summer and fall) abundance between 1974 and 2011 of two species of calanoid copepods found in the Low Salinity Zone, Eurytemora affinis, an East Coast species that was introduced before monitoring began, and was historically the dominant source of fish food; and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi, a nonnative species first observed in Since its introduction, Pseudodiaptomus has been 10 to 100 times more abundant than Eurytemora in summer and fall (see also Figure 3). April, Page will require scrolling down to see all info, but will anchor at the top with links to content below. Text describing the images will be associated with graph image files in the content database, so when the content is updated, the associated new text will also need to be recreated. This makes it simpler to update content. How do you want us to cite these data? Can you help answer the questions below? Jason Lofton Need to discuss this - Has the total number of zooplankton (pooled species) decreased? Or just aggregate biomass? Erin Foresman Has species diversity changed? The rest of the paragraph talks about species composition but does not say anything about diversity. I recommend adding the words “species compositon” to the first sentence and then adding something about how diversity has changed in a single sentence within the paragraph. IF we don’t have info about diversity then we should remove that word from the first sentence. [Approved for launch with comment addressed] Figure 3 shows the abundance of the most common calanoid copepods during each month of 2011 (including Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi , Figure 2). In this graph, the native species is Acartia (green); the remainder are nonnatives. Eurytemora affinis, an East Coast species that was introduced before monitoring began and was historically the dominant source of food for fish, and Acartia, the native, were dominant only in winter. The rest of the year was dominated by Pseudodiaptomus (light blue) and Acartiella (dark blue). SOURCE: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Zooplankton Study (link to Zooplankton Study webpage), IEP SPRING 2013 NEWSLETTER (link to (Logos link to IEP and DFG websites

< > What Are Benthic Organisms, And Why Are They Important?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Benthics What Are Benthic Organisms, And Why Are They Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are benthic organisms, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? < > Pictures of benthic organisms that you can click on to get to details In the Q/A box: The first question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on (“What are benthic organisms?”). Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each benthic page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular benthic section. The “How and where” question links to the next slide (slide 27). The “trends” question links to slide 28. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources. In text blue links: - Phytoplankton – link to “what are phytoplankton page” - zooplankton – link to “What are zooplankton page” - “Learn more “ – link to benthic measuring page (next slide (27)) What are benthic organisms? Benthic organisms are creatures that live at the bottom of water bodies. They include common invertebrates (animals without backbones) like clams, shrimp, and crabs and other less recognized creatures including worms, little crustaceans called amphipods, and aquatic insects. These organisms live in or on the soft mud of the Estuary, while others attach themselves to rocks and other hard surfaces. There are also benthic vertebrates (animals with backbones) that include various fish species among other creatures. Many benthic organisms are filter feeders. They pump water through their bodies or through holes they have burrowed in the mud to catch food suspended in the water. Others graze on food they find in and on the surface of the bottom. Filter feeders and grazers eat phytoplankton [link to "what are phytoplankton" page], zooplankton [link to "what are zooplankton" page], other benthic organisms, and/or decaying organic debris washed in from the surrounding watershed. Why are they important? Benthic organisms are important part of the estuarine food web. They consume and are consumed by other creatures. Every winter during low-tides, thousands of migrating shorebirds feast themselves upon uncovered clams, crabs, and worms found in the mudflats. Humans, as well, take advantage of the low-tides to harvest their own feast. Certain fish species, including juvenile salmon, striped bass, and sturgeon, also consume many types of benthic organisms. A large percentage of the benthic organisms found in the SF Estuary are invasive and thus can have negative effects on the health of the estuary. Filter feeding benthic organisms pump immense amounts of water through their bodies, consuming large amounts of the available phytoplankton biomass in the estuary. Historically, bay shrimp supported a large commercial fishery in the Bay, and California’s commercial crab fishery still depends upon crabs that spend the first two years of their life growing in the SF Estuary. Changes in benthic organisms’ populations also can be indications of larger changes in the physical conditions of the SF Estuary, including alterations in freshwater inflows, salinity, and sediment composition. These changes can then affect other living things and general water quality. More research is needed to better understand the role of these bottom dwellers in the larger estuarine ecosystem. Learn more about how benthic organisms are monitored in the SF Estuary. [link to how and where are benthic organisms monitored page]

How and Where are Benthic Organisms Measured in the SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Benthics  Monitored How and Where are Benthic Organisms Measured in the SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Benthic Organism Monitoring Stations QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are benthic organisms, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? How and where are benthic organisms monitored? The California DWR Benthic Organism Study measures the composition (what kinds?), abundance (how many?), density (how many kinds?), and distribution (where are they?) of benthic organisms as part of the IEP’s Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP). Changes in their composition, abundance, density, and distribution are documented within the SF Estuary, from San Pablo Bay east through the upper Estuary to the mouths of the Sacramento, Mokelumne, and San Joaquin Rivers. Ten sites are currently sampled. Because different benthic species live in different parts of the Estuary, the sites represent a wide range of habitats of varying sizes and physical conditions, including different types of salinity and sediment composition. Sites range from narrow, freshwater channels in the Delta to broad, estuarine bays. Samples are collected monthly. From 1975 to 1979, biannual sampling was conducted in late spring and fall. Monthly sampling started in June 1980 and ended in October Samples were collected quarterly from October 2003 through October 2005, after which monthly sampling was resumed. Sediment samples are also collected at each site for sediment analysis. Learn more about the methods used to measure benthic organisms. [links to 1641 report benthic methods content, pg. 6-1] Insert Figure 1 from the SOTB 2011 Technical Appendix E, page 154, pdf of appendix attached here) CAPTION: Locations of the sampling stations for the CDFW Bay Study Otter Trawl EMP monitoring sites, however, are not as good for accurately sampling shrimp and crabs, but the CDFW San Francisco Bay Study surveys collect crabs and shrimp monthly using an otter trawl. Thirty-five fixed monitoring stations are distributed evenly throughout four sub-regions of the estuary, including South, Central, San Pablo, and Suisun Bays. Where are the data? More information on benthic organisms and their monitoring can be found in the DWR Benthic Organism Study Meta Data ,the Benthic BioGuide, the Benthic Dictionary, and the CDFW San Francisco Bay Study. For more information regarding sediment composition data, please contact Heather Fuller. In the Q/A box: The first question links to that page (slide 26) The “How and where” question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each benthic page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular benthic section. The “trends” question links to slide 28. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources.

< > What Are Benthic Organism Trends In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Living Resources  Benthics  Trends What Are Benthic Organism Trends In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are benthic organisms, and why are they important? How and where are they monitored in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? < > Slide carousel of graphs Where are their trends? There have been important changes in benthic organism abundance (how many?) and species composition (what types?) in the SF Estuary. Both shrimp and crab abundance have increased during the last 15 years, and over 85 percent of those populations are native species. Overall ecological conditions in the estuary appear to be "good" for shrimp and crabs. Several invasive benthic species, however, have also been introduced to the estuary. Most notably is the Asian clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) that was introduced to the environment in the eighties, probably as larvae in ballast water used to keep ships balanced in the ocean. In any estuary, environmental conditions have to be right in order for an introduced species to become an invasive one, and the conditions in the SF Estuary have been ideal for the clams. Asian clams have expanded to cover large areas of the estuary, and their impact has altered and diminished the food web in some parts of the SF Estuary since their introduction. Negative impacts include displacing other benthic organisms and feeding on the majority of available phytoplankton and zooplankton. The effects of Asian clams on the estuarine food web are still being studied, but many scientists acknowledge that Asian clams have the ability to remove the majority of available phytoplankton biomass through filter feeding when clam populations are high. There has been a collapse of the phytoplankton community in Suisan Bay since the late 1980s. The impact of collapsing phytoplankton communities has cascaded through the food web, contributing to declines in zooplankton populations that eat phytoplankton and fish populations that feed on the zooplankton. - In the Q/A box: The first question links to that page (slide 26). The “How and where” question links to that page (slide 27). The “trends” question link is bolded to indicate that is the page you are on. Clicking on it wouldn’t do anything. Keeping it because we think it helps to have a standardized Q/A box on each benthic page and will give people an easy, clear way to get back to a particular benthic section. The healthy question links back slide 11 (“how healthy is the SF Estuary” until more content on drivers/stressors is developed. “What’s being done to protect them” links to the “what’s being done to protect CA’s estuaries” (slide 6). These last two questions link to these same places for all of the living resources. - Graphs in blue box are a carousel. Each have their own caption.

Note: The graphs on slides will be presented as a slide carousel on the “What are benthic organism trends in the SF Estuary?”. The viewer would see each graph and its caption by clicking on it in the carousel. These graphs are in the order that we would like for them to appear in the carousel.

Change title to: Average Yearly Benthic Organism Abundances by Phyla (1981 – 2012)
CAPTION: This graph depicts the yearly average for the six most common benthic organism Phyla at stations in the lower Sacramento River (D4), the central Delta (D28A), an d Suisun Bay (D7). These three sites have been sampled monthly since 1981, but they are not located in areas that support a lot of Asian clams (Potamocorbula amurensis). They have been found, however, with some abundance in Suisun Bay (D7). Steps: Use 6 most common Phyla (Platyhelminthes, Nemertea, Nematoda, Mollusca, Arthropoda, and Annelida). Remove rare Phyla (Cnidaria and Nematomorpha), even though they are depicted above, and do not include their counts. Take the 6 Phyla, one at a time, and sum their monthly counts at stations D4, D28A, and D7 for the 12 months of each particular year ( ). Then divide by 12 to get a single number for each Phyla’s annual average abundance. Graph the six Phyla abundances for each year as a stack bar graph, like above. Do yearly averages for D28A, D4 and D7, sites summed and grabs averaged. Abundance in individuals per meter squared. *2004 and 2005 were sampled quarterly. Note that you will divide by 4, not 12 here.

CAPTION: This graph depicts the yearly average for the nine most common benthic organism Phyla at stations in the south Delta (C9 and P8), the lower San Joaquin River (D16), the lower Sacramento River (D24), San Pablo Bay (D41 and D41A), and Suisun Bay (D6). These seven sites have been sampled monthly since These stations were not included with the previous graph in order to more accurately reflect the trends at stations with a longer monitoring record. Change title to: Average Yearly Benthic Organism Abundances by Phyla ( ) Use 9 most common Phyla (Platyhelminthes, Phoronida, Nemertea, Nematoda, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Chordata, Arthropoda, and Annelida). Remove rare Phyla (Echinodermata), even though they are depicted above, and do not include their counts. Steps: Take the 9 Phyla, one at a time, and sum their monthly counts at stations C9, D16, D24, D41, D41A, P8, and D6 for the 12 months of each particular year ( ). Then divide by 12 to get a single number for each Phyla’s annual average abundance. Graph the nine Phyla abundances for each year as a stack bar graph, like above. Do yearly averages for C9, D16, D24, D41, D41A, P8, and D6, sites summed and grabs averaged. Abundance in individuals per meter squared. *2004 and 2005 were sampled quarterly. Note that you will divide by 4, not 12.

Change title to: Seasonal Trends in Benthic Organism Phyla During a Wet Year (2006)
Change title to: Seasonal Trends in Benthic Organism Phyla During a Critically Dry Year (2008) CAPTION: Seasonal trends in the nine most common benthic organism Phyla are shown above for a wet year, 2006, and a critically dry year, The data are summed for all 10 EMP monitoring stations, but grabs are averaged. Overall abundance of these benthic organisms is higher is dry years than in wet years in the SF Estuary. Steps: Use the 9 most common Phyla (as depicted above). For the top graph (year 2006), sum each of the individual Phyla counts for all 10 stations and then divide by 10, to get a monthly average. Graph the 9 Phyla averages as a stacked bar graph, like above. Do the same thing for the bottom graph (year 2008). All 10 stations summed, but grabs are averaged. These two graphs would be viewed together, so there is only one caption.

Native, exotic, crytogenic? Native, exotic, crytogenic, unknown?
Species Organism type Total at D28A D4 & D7 in 1981* Native, exotic, crytogenic? Date Introduced Title: Top 10 Most Abundant Benthic Species, 1981 Americorophium spinicorne Crustacean 15159 Uncertain, likely native Corbicula fluminea Mollusk 8907 Exotic 1945 Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri Annelid 6484 Crytogenic (origins unknown) Americorophium stimpsoni 5540 Balanus improvisus 918 Uncertain Boccardiella ligerica 864 1954 Mya arenaria 737 1874 Manayunkia speciosa 687 Neanthes limnicola 239 Native Mermithid sp. A Nematode 219 *Note 3 grabs per station per month in 1981 (compared to 4 grabs per station per month in 2012). Species Organism type Total at D28A D4 & D7 in 2012* Native, exotic, crytogenic, unknown? Date Introduced Title: Top 10 Most Abundant Benthic Species, 2012 Americorophium spinicorne Crustacean 17995 Uncertain, likely native Corophium alienense 16129 Exotic 1973 Potamocorbula amurensis Mollusk 9089 1987 Varichaetadrilus angustipenis Annelid 8461 1982 Gammarus daiberi 7237 1983 Americorophium stimpsoni 7013 Corbicula fluminea 1965 1945 Bothrioneurum vejdovskyanum 1750 Crytogenic (origins unknown) Laonome sp. A 1624 1989 Nippoleucon hinumensis 1408 1986 *Note 4 grabs per station per month in 2012 (compared to 3 grabs per station per month in 1981). Create tables as shown above. These would be shown together in the same carousel/viewer page.

CAPTION: Average yearly Asian clam abundances in Suisun Bay (D7)
CAPTION: Average yearly Asian clam abundances in Suisun Bay (D7). This site has had the longest record of Potamocorbula presence. The invasive, non-native clams have had the greatest impact in Grizzly Bay along with nearby Suisun Bay and San Pablo Bay was the first year that the clam was reported in the SF Estuary. Note that in 2004 and 2005, sampling was conducted quarterly, instead of monthly. Change title of graph to: Asian Clam (Potamocorbula amurensis) Abundance in Suisun Bay Do yearly averages from at station D7 for Potamocorbula amurensis/Corbula amurensis. (The name changed over time, but these are the same species.) Months and grabs averaged.

Abundance of Shrimp in the SF Bay (1980-2010)
Abundance of Crabs in the SF Bay ( ) Overall crab abundance has generally increased over time in the SF Bay. Overall shrimp abundance has increased over time in the SF Bay. Don’t have to create these graphs. Just copy from SOTB 2011 Report and the SOTB technical appendix. Both documents are attached to the workgroup website benthic trends page. Left them in here so that they’re not forgotten about. Have note about including them on the benthic trend workgroup page. Their titles and captions are in the article for the benthic trend page.

Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish What Are The Types Of Fishes In The SF Estuary, And Why Are They Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the types of fishes in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? How and where are fish surveyed in the SF Estuary? What are their trends in the SF Estuary? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done about to protect them? Insert slide show with clickable images of the different types of fish. What are the types of fish in the SF Estuary? The diverse habitats of the SF Estuary support over 100 native and non-native fish. The region is home to resident fish (that, for the most part, complete (or can complete) their entire life cycle in or very close to the estuary), migratory fish (that must transition between freshwater and marine habitats beyond the Estuary to complete their life cycle), and fish that use the SF Estuary as a nursery(that lay their eggs (spawn) and/or rear in bay habitats). Pressures on California’s native fish are typified in the Estuary, including diversion of freshwater for human uses, deterioration of water quality, extensive habitat alteration and degradation, introduced species, and climate change. Some of the area’s most abundant fisheries have either been driven to extinction or are threatened or endangered. Why are fish important? Fish in the SF Estuary are important for economic, recreational, and ecological reasons. Economically important fish include Chinook salmon and Pacific herring. Sport fish like striped bass and sturgeon are popular among local and tourist fishermen. Other ecologically important fish such as delta smelt are also present. Because fish populations are responsive to environmental conditions in the Estuary, measuring their populations can be useful for monitoring changes within the Estuary. Also, a large, diverse fish community that is distributed broadly throughout the Estuary and dominated by native species is a good sign of a healthy estuary.

What Are Resident Fish? What are resident fish?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Resident What Are Resident Fish? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the types of fishes in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? What are resident fish? What are migratory fish? What fish use the SF Estuary as a nursery? What are resident fish? Many fish use the SF Estuary for only particular parts of their life cycle— as juvenile rearing ground or as migratory corridors. Some species, however, reside here for all or most of their lives. These fish includes endemic species (those found nowhere else in the world) like Delta smelt and Sacramento splittail. Because they spend most of their lives within the Estuary, these species are particularly susceptible to changes in estuarine environment. The following species were chosen as representative species of resident fish health: Delta Smelt Longfin Smelt Sacramento Splittail Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) NATIVE / ENDEMIC Conservation Status Federal Threatened and State Endangered Distribution Upper SF Estuary, found primarily in brackish-tidal open water habitats, spawn in freshwater Life Span 1 year, but occasionally 2 (usually fish die after spawning) Age at maturity 1 year Where it rears Rears for several months in brackish water How long in the estuary Entire life cycle What juveniles eat Zooplankton Recent trends click here The Delta Smelt is native to the upper SF Estuary, particularly to areas upstream of San Pablo Bay including Suisan Bay, Suisun Marsh and the delta. The SF Estuary is the only place in the world where this small fish is found, and thus it is part of what makes the estuary unique. Delta smelt is nearly translucent in water, with a steel blue sheen to their sides, and is found in open water, mostly away from shorelines and vegetated inshore areas. Adults move from low salinity waters into tidal freshwater habitats, mostly in the delta, to lay their eggs (spawn). This migration can occur in winter, well before spawning, or in spring, just prior to spawning. Once the eggs hatch, some larvae begin to move downstream immediately and disperse throughout low salinity habitats, generally moving into Suisun Bay, Montezuma Slough, and the lower Sacramento River below Rio Vista to rear. Others move downstream as juveniles and some appear to remain in freshwater their entire lives. Juvenile delta smelt feed almost exclusively on copepods and zooplankton. By fall, the fish have completed most of their growth and occasionally congregate in the western Delta prior to their short migration back upstream into freshwater areas to spawn. Most Delta Smelt live for 1 year – they perish after they spawn, but a rare few can live to 2 years. Because this fish is estuarine-dependent, it is also a good indicator for the health of the upper estuary. Delta Smelt is currently protected as an endangered species under the California and and a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species acts. Return to top (link) Longfin Smelt [layout similar to what is above. Follow instructions in workgroup website.] Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management - You would get to this page by clicking on the blue resident fish words on the previous slide. Then once you are on this page, you can either click on “What are the types of fishes…” in the Q/A box and go back to the main fish summary page, or you can click on the other questions and go to their pages.

What Are Migratory Fish?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish Migratory What Are Migratory Fish? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What are migratory fish? Many estuarine fish migrate to habitats with different depths or salinities during their life cycles. Some fish must migrate between fresh and saltwater to complete their life cycle. Anadromous fish spawn in freshwater and migrate to the ocean where most of their growth occurs. Anadromous fish species traverse the San Francisco Estuary twice during their lives, on their way to and from their spawning grounds on the rivers of the Central Valley. There are many anadromous fish species in the San Francisco Estuary’s fish fauna, too many to describe all of them here. Below, we describe a few of the anadromous fish species that are commonly used to track the health of the San Francisco Estuary. For more information …. [websites] Representative migratory fish presented in this portal include” Chinook salmon [link to heading below] Striped Bass [link to heading below] Chinook Salmon Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), also known as King salmon, are the largest members of the Pacific salmon. These fish once spawned in most of the perennial rivers between central California and Alaska. However, their behavior of returning to spawn in the same waterway where they incubated as eggs leads to divergence among populations of different rivers; even within rivers, different distinct populations (known as runs) can co-exist without interbreeding. The Sacramento River and its tributaries support four distinct runs of Chinook salmon, more different types than any river system in North America. These runs – winter, spring, fall, and late-fall – are distinguished by the season during which adults return to freshwater to spawn and other behavioral, life history, ecological, and genetic differences. As a result, each run may represent the health of different estuarine and riverine habitats. Sacramento River Winter-Run Native/Endemic Conservation Status Distribution Life Span Age at maturity Where it rears How long in the estuary What juveniles eat The Sacramento River winter-run Chinook salmon once spawned in high elevation habitats on the Sacramento River and its tributaries in the far northern and northeastern parts of this state. After the construction of Shasta and Keswick Dams in the middle of the last century, this run’s spawning habitat was limited to short stretches of river below these dams. This run, which is unique throughout the world, enters freshwater in the winter, but delays spawning until spring; its eggs incubate in late-spring and summer and are thus exposed to very warm water (temperatures >56oF are lethal to Chinook salmon eggs). Winter-run Chinook salmon were listed under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts in Commercial and sportfishing for this run is minimized by fishing regulations. Central Valley Spring-Run The Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon once spawned in smaller rivers and creeks at high elevation throughout the Sacramento River and San Joaquin River watersheds. The construction of major dams in the middle of the last century, limited this run’s spawning habitat. The San Joaquin River Valley’s spring run were extirpated following construction of Friant Dam. Today, spring-run Chinook salmon spawn in significant numbers on the mainstem of the Sacramento River below Keswick Dam, the Feather River, and several small creeks on the slopes of Mt. Lassen. This run enters freshwater in the spring, but delays spawning until fall; they spend several months holding in small creeks (without eating!), waiting for water temperatures to fall to levels that will support successful egg incubation. Spring-run Chinook salmon were listed under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts in the mid-1990’s. Commercial and sportfishing for this run is minimized by fishing regulations. Sacramento late-fall run The Sacramento River’s late-fall run Chinook salmon spawn are larger and migrate and spawn later in the fall than fall run Chinook salmon. This run predominantly spawns below Keswick Dam immediately after arriving. Their offspring quickly migrate downstream, towards the Estuary and Ocean. This run is not protected under the Endangered Species Act and are caught in the marine commercial and sport fishery. Central Valley fall run Now, the most abundant run of Chinook salmon using the San Francisco Estuary, the Central Valley’s fall run of Chinook salmon supports a commercial and sport fishery from Central California through Southern Oregon. This run enters freshwater during the fall and reproduces soon after reaching spawning grounds on the mainstem of most of the Central Valley’s larger rivers. These fish hatch in winter and migrate to the Estuary and ocean in the spring. Paradoxically, their juvenile migrations occur at approximately the same time as spring run Chinook salmon. This run is not protected under the Endangered Species Act and commercial and sport-fishing are regulated by state and federal agencies. Return to top [link] Striped Bass Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were intentionally introduced to the San Francisco Estuary from the Atlantic Coast in These predators eat other native and non-native fish (piscivorous) as well as large macro-invertebrates. They support a vibrant sportfishery in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the bays of the San Francisco Estuary. Striped bass enter the lower mainstems of the Central Valley’s major rivers to spawn during the summer. Their eggs float downstream and (if they are not eaten by other fish) hatch in or near the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. These fish rear in the Estuary’s Low Salinity Zone (LSZ: Link to Portal’s Water Quality Page) and the size of their juvenile (young-of-year) population is considered to be a good indicator of estuarine health. Learn more about how migratory fish are surveyed. (link to fish monitoring page) Images of species QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the types of fishes in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? What are resident fish? What are migratory fish? What fish use the SF Estuary as a nursery? Images of species - You would get to this page by clicking on the blue migratory fish words on the intro fish slide. Then once you are on this page, you can either click on “What are the types of fishes…” in the Q/A box and go back to the main fish summary page or you can click on the other questions and go to their pages.

What Fish Use The SF Estuary As A Nursery?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Nursery What Fish Use The SF Estuary As A Nursery? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the types of fishes in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? What are resident fish? What are migratory fish? What fish use the SF Estuary as a nursery? Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What fish use the SF Estuary as a nursery? Fish in the SF Estuary represent a mixture of marine, brackish, and freshwater species. They are found along a salinity gradient from the Delta (largely freshwater) to the Central and South Bays (marine habitats). Here we consider marine fish to be those that are ocean going fish that use the estuary (either obligately or non-obligately) as an important rearing habitat. There are more than 100 species living in the San Francisco Bay. The Estuaries Portal initially presents four species that capture a broad assemblage of ecological diversity and life history traits as representatives of bay fishes. For more information on other species, see the Report on the fish, shrimp, and crab Sampling in the San Francisco Estuary. These types of marine fish include: Pacific herring [link to heading below] Shiner perch [link to heading below California halibut [link to heading below] Starry flounder [link to heading below] Learn more about how fish that use the estuary as a nursery are are surveyed and recent trends. Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii) NATIVE Conservation Status No Special Status Distribution Pacific Coast, spawn in San Francisco, San Pablo and Richardson Bays Life Span years Age at maturity to 4 years Where it rears Rears in shallow marine and brackish waters How long in the estuary First 8 to12 months of life What juveniles eat Zooplankton and other small invertebrates Recent trends click here Pacific Herring is a native marine fish found along the Pacific coasts of North America and northeast Asia. The SF Estuary is one of the most important spawning areas in the Pacific for these fish. Once a year, herring enter the estuary and lay eggs in San Francisco, San Pablo and Richardson bays from late fall through early spring, beginning their lives in the shallow areas of the estuary before gradually migrating into deeper water and finally back into the ocean. The Pacific Herring supports a commercial fishery in the San Francisco Estuary – mainly for roe (eggs) – one of the few commercial finfish fisheries left in the estuary. It is also important prey for many marine fishes and birds. Return to top (link) [rest of species in the same format] Images of species Images of species Images of species

< > How And Where Are Fish Surveyed In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Surveyed How And Where Are Fish Surveyed In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the types of fishes in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? How and where are fish surveyed in the SF Estuary? What are SF Estuary fish trends? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done about to protect them? Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > Slide carousel of maps How and where are fish surveyed? The San Francisco Estuary fish fauna is surveyed regularly by numerous fish sampling programs operated by state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. The methods used to survey fishes vary depending on their behavior and size as well as by the habitats (depth, clarity, currents) where they live. A short sample and description of the fish sampling programs whose data are used in this portal is provided below. New data sets are continuously uploaded to this portal as the need arises; for descriptions of additional fish sampling programs in the Estuary, visit these websites: for resident and marine fishes (link to: and for migratory fishes (link to: Year Round Surveys · San Francisco Bay Study (Bay Study) [link to below] · Suisun Marsh Juvenile Fish Monitoring Survey [link to below] · Fish Salvage Monitoring [link to below] · Salmon Surveys · US Fish and Wildlife Surveys [link to below] Seasonal Trawls · Spring Kodiac Trawl [link to below] · Smelt Larva Survey [link to below] · 20 mm survey [link to below] · Summer Townet Survey [link to below] · Fall Midwater Trawl Surveys [link to below] YEAR ROUND SURVEYS San Francisco Bay Study (Bay Study) Since 1980, California Department of Fish and Wildlife has sampled 35 fixed locations throughout the estuary once a month throughout the year since At each location single tow is conducted with a midwater trawl towed through the water column and an otter trawl towed along the bottom. Since the start of the survey, additional sampling locations have been added for a total of 52 locations currently sampled monthly. This survey counts, identifies, and measures mostly small ( mm long) resident (link to: Portal's Resident Fish page), migrant and transitory (link to: Portal's Transitory Fish page) fishes that occupy open-water and bottom habitats. Suisun Marsh Juvenile Fish Monitoring Survey (link to: The University of California at Davis has sampled the fishes and invertebrates of Suisun Marsh monthly since January 1980 using an otter (bottom) trawl towed behind a small boat at numerous fixed sampling stations throughout the Marsh's many channels. Sampling is augmented with beach seining at two locations. The Suisun Marsh survey captures mainly mm long resident and anadromous (link to glossary) fish species in shallow to deep marsh channel habitats with brackish and fresh water. [text continues in this format]

What Are The SF Estuary Fish Trends?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Trends What Are The SF Estuary Fish Trends? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the SF Estuary fish trends? What are resident fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are migratory fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are fish trends for fish that use the SF Estuary as a nursery? Slide carousel of resident, nursery, and migratory fish trend graphs that are used on other pages What are the SF Estuary fish trends? The status and trends of fishes in the San Francisco Estuary are evaluated using several measures of population health (described in the State of the San Francisco Bay Report 2011): Abundance (How many fish?) (link to abundance subheading below) Spatial Distribution (How many places are the fish found?) (link to Spatial distribution subheading below) Species Composition (What types of fish?) (link to Species Composition subheading below) Diversity (How many kinds of fish?) (link to Diversity subheading below) Abundance (how many fish in the population?) is the most common and obvious indicator of fish health. In a large and complex ecosystem, it is not possible to know the absolute abundance of any species; therefore, scientists and managers rely on standardized abundance indices that reveal population trends over time. Abundance indices for many native and naturalized fish species reveal a trend of decline; this portal displays trends in abundance for representative resident, migratory, and nursery fishes in the San Francisco Estuary. Spatial distribution of key life history stages (how many places are they found?) is another important measures of fish population health. For example, the number of rivers where migratory fish spawn is important because a limited spatial distribution increases the risk to a population from local, catastrophic disturbances (e.g. toxic chemical spills, disease outbreaks, etc.) In future versions of this portal, the spatial distribution of key fish species will be included as a measure of fish population health. [Insert image of Spring Run Chinook salmon distribution map] Species Composition (what types of species?) is another important indicator of estuarine health. In particular, the fraction of the total number of species in the estuary that are non-native is a measure of estuarine health; non-native species are more likely to become established in damaged ecosystems and may exacerbate impacts by eating or competing with native species. Freshwater and estuarine ecosystems are particularly prone to invasion and disturbance by non-native species; the San Francisco Estuary has been described as one of the most invaded estuaries on Earth. Future versions of this portal will display changes in the proportion of native vs. non-native species detected in certain regions of the estuary through time. Diversity (how many native species are present in the estuary?) is another important indicator of a healthy estuary. An estuary rich in native species is often indicative of healthy ecosystems. Future versions of this portal will display changes in the number of native and estuarine-dependent native species detected in certain regions of the estuary through time. Future versions of this portal will combine the various measures of fish population health described above into metrics that provide simple, easy-to-understand answers to the question: How healthy are the fish populations in this estuary? . - This would be the intro trend page. If you click on “What are SF Estuary Fish trends?” on the very first slide, this is the page that link would take you to. Then you can click within this page (either on the blue in the text or in the questions on the box at the side) to get to each trend page (for resident, for migratory, and for nursery).

What Are Resident Fish Trends In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Trends  Resident What Are Resident Fish Trends In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the SF Estuary fish trends? What are resident fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are migratory fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are fish trends for fish that use the SF Estuary as a nursery? [template ] What are SF Estuary resident fish trends? There are numerous resident fish species in the SF Estuary. This portal depicts the estuary's resident fishes by presenting data on three native resident species that use the estuary in very different ways. Specifically, the FMWT abundance indices for Delta smelt, longfin smelt, age-0 striped bass, and Sacramento splittail are presented below.The abundance indices for these three species rapidly declined to record low levels around In 2005, the IEP formed a team to evaluate the potential causes of these and other declines. Delta Smelt(native) Represents: estuarine dependent, short-lived, open water resident [insert photo] [Insert abundacne graph with CAPTION:] Substantial abundance decline in the 1980s for Delta Smelt led to its listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in Since that time, declines have continued to levels that are barely detectable in long-term fish sampling programs. Longfin Smelt(native) Represents: short lived, deep water resident [insert photo] [Insert abundance graph with CAPTION:] Once among the most abundant fishes in the estuary, Longfin Smelt has experienced one of the most severe population declines of any species in the estuary. All Longfin Smelt populations in the state were listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in The US Fish and Wildlife Service declared that the SF Estuary population of Longfin Smelt warranted listing, but listing was precluded by budgetary constraints. Splittail(native) Represents: floodplain spawners, shallow water resident [insert photo] [Insert abundance graph with CAPTION:] Extreme fluctuations in trawl abundance are typical for Splittail and make long-term trends difficult to detect. Populations increase explosively following years with extensive floodplain inundation. Populations decline during long dry spells when reproductive opportunities are rare and as older fish reach their maximum life spans. Images of species

CAPTION: Substantial abundance decline in the 1980s for Delta Smelt led to its listing under the federal Endangered Species Act in Since that time, declines have continued to levels that are barely detectable in long-term fish sampling programs. CAPTION: Once among the most abundant fishes in the estuary, Longfin Smelt has experienced one of the most severe population declines of any species in the estuary. All Longfin Smelt populations in the state were listed as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act in The US Fish and Wildlife Service declared that the SF Estuary population of Longfin Smelt warranted listing, but listing was precluded by budgetary constraints. CAPTION: Extreme fluctuations in trawl abundance are typical for Splittail and make long-term trends difficult to detect. Populations increase explosively following years with extensive floodplain inundation. Populations decline during long dry spells when reproductive opportunities are rare and as older fish reach their maximum life spans.

What Are Migratory Fish Trends In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Trends  Migratory What Are Migratory Fish Trends In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the SF Estuary fish trends? What are resident fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are migratory fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are fish trends for fish that use the SF Estuary as a nursery? [template 2] What are migratory fish trends? Migratory fish, particularly anadromous species, of interest in the SF Estuary include commercial fish, recreational fish, and species of concern. Many of these native and non-native anadromous species populations abundance indices have declined precipitously in the latter part of the 20th century. Learn more about these fish and efforts to recover them. Although there are many important migratory species, this portal depicts fish population trends for four distinct populations of Chinook salmon and non-native striped bass. Chinook salmon [insert photo]: Among the four runs of Chinook Salmon spawning in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system, all are classified as endangered, threatened, or species of concern. Estimated yearly natural production (in-river returns plus fish caught in the commercial or sport fishery) is presented above for Sacramento Fall-Run, San Joaquin Fall-Run, Central Valley Spring-Run, and Sacramento Winter-Run Chinook Salmon. [Insert graph from pdf Sacramento Fall-Run (native) Represents: Represents: Sacramento River and major tributaries incubation and rearing conditions (Oct-May) and estuarine rearing conditions (Mar-Jun) CAPTION: The Fall Run of Sacramento River Chinook salmon is a major (and in some years, the only major) contributor to the commercial ocean fishery for this species throughout most of northern California and southern Oregon. Production of this population between 1967 and 1991 averaged over 115,000 fish per year and was targeted to increase to 230,000 fish per year (indicated by the AFRP Production Target line on this graph) by the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act of However, natural production of this fish continues to decline and averaged 72,595 between 1992 and Recent major declines led to the unprecedented closing of California’s commercial salmon fishery in 2008, 2009 and most of 2010. [Insert graph from pdf] Sacramento Winter-Run (native) Represents: Sacramento River incubation and rearing conditions (May-Mar) and estuarine rearing conditions (Oct-Mar) CAPTION: Completion of Shasta dam in 1945 blocked access to this endemic and genetically unique population’s historic spawning grounds in the far northern watersheds of the Sacramento River. Since then, winter-run Chinook have depended on habitat created by cold-water releases from Shasta Reservoir. The population has experienced a catastrophic decline since the late 1960's and was listed under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts in the early 1990's. The AFRP (Anadromous Fish Restoration Program) Production Target of 110,000 fish indicated on this graph is a target set under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act of Winter-run Chinook Salmon production averaged 6,320 fish per year from ] [Insert graph from pdf] Central Valley Spring-Run (native) Represents: Sacramento River, Feather River, and small tributary pre-spawning, incubation, and rearing conditions (Apr-Feb) and estuarine rearing conditions (Dec-Jun) CAPTION: Believed to be the most abundant Chinook Salmon population historically, spring run populations have declined substantially over the past half century or more. This once widespread fish is now hardly found in the San Joaquin drainage where it used to flourish. Spring run are now found predominantly in the small tributaries to the Sacramento River that originate on the slopes of Mt. Lassen. The population was listed under the federal and California Endangered Species Acts in the early 1990's. The Anadromous Fish Restoration Program Production Target of 68,000 fish indicated on this graph is a target set under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act of Production in the period averaged 13,654 fish per year, slightly more than half the production in the period. San Joaquin Fall-Run (native) Represents: Represents: San Joaquin River tributary incubation and rearing conditions (Oct-May) and estuarine rearing conditions (Mar-Jun) CAPTION: Historically, fall run Chinook Salmon spawned in the mainstem San Joaquin River and its major tributaries. Production on the San Joaquin's major tributaries (the Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Merced Rivers) has continued to decline in recent decades, from more than 38,000 fish per year between 1967 and 1991 to less than half of that (18,700 fish per year) over the last two decades. [Insert graph from fall midwater trawl index] Striped Bass (non-native) Represents: Spawning conditions in lower elevation stretches of major Central Valley Rivers (late- spring and summer) and estuarine rearing conditions (year-round) CAPTION: Despite its success since being introduced to the Estuary in 1879, production of juvenile striped bass has declined substantially over the past two decades

What Are Fish Trends For Fish That Use The SF Estuary As A Nursery?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Fish  Trends  Nursery What Are Fish Trends For Fish That Use The SF Estuary As A Nursery? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… QUESTIONS ANSWERED What are the SF Estuary fish trends? What are resident fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are migratory fish trends in the SF Estuary? What are fish trends for fish that use the SF Estuary as a nursery? Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management [template 2] What Are Trends For Fish That Use The San Francisco Estuary As A Nursery? Four species were selected to demonstrate abundance trends for a diverse assemblage of life history traits for fish that use the San Francisco Estuary as nursery habitat, including Pacific Herring, Shiner Perch, California Halibut, and Starry Flounder. All data presented here is from the San Francisco Bay Study. Pacific Herring (native) Represents: reproduction and rearing, commercially important fishery [Insert graph. CAPTION for trend graph here:] The San Francisco Bay Study abundance index for age-0 Pacific Herring fluctuated substantially since the 1980s. The abundance index has increased steadily since 2006. Shiner Perch (native) Represents: reproduction and rearing, bait fishery [Insert graph. CAPTION for graph here:] Shiner Perch abundances have varied widely over the study period, but have been decreasing for the last five years, fluctuating partially with salinity changes in the Estuary. California Halibut (native) Represents: marine nursery, commercially important fishery, recreationally important fishery [Insert graph. CAPTION for graph here:] Increases in abundance index for California Halibut began in the 1980s and 1990s with recent increases in water temperature. However, species have been declining with increases in cold water temperatures. Starry Flounder (native) Represents: brackish to freshwater nursery, recreationally important fishery, contribute to commercial flatfish fishery [Insert graph. CAPTION for graph here:] Abundance indices for Starry Flounder indicate a declining trend through time, particularly in the most recent five years. Images of species Images of species Images of species Images of species

Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds What Birds Are In The SF Estuary, And Why Are They Important? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What birds are in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? How and where are birds monitored in the SF Estuary? What are SF Estuary bird population trends? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? QUESTIONS ANSWERED < > Slide carousel of bird images What birds are in the SF Estuary? The San Francisco Estuary provides critical habitat for a wide variety of bird species. Birds are an ecologically diverse group, and this diversity is reflected in the wide range of bird species dependent on different portions of the Estuary’s ecosystems. Birds breed, feed, rest, and find refuge from predators in tidal marshes, tidal flats, seasonal marsh, permanent freshwater marsh, salt ponds, diked wetlands, open water, rocky areas, sandy beaches, riparian areas, river banks, agricultural areas, pastures, grasslands, woodlands, and urban areas. Some bird species are present year-round, while others are migratory. Some species are present only during the breeding season, some only during the winter, and some only during migration. Why are they important? Some bird species rely more on aquatic food web resources, others more on the terrestrial food web resources. Many bird species feed on fish, birds and invertebrates, using specialized hunting techniques to exploit particular prey species. Others primarily eat seeds or other plant parts, at least during certain times of year when insects are less available. - Q/A box works the same here as it does on the other pages. “What birds…” is bolded b/c that’s the page you’re on. “How and where” links to that page and “What are SF Estuary bird population trends?” links to that page. - Like in the other living resources slides, “how healthy…” links to “how healthy is the SF Estuary?” and “what’s being done” links to “What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries?”

How And Where Are Birds Monitored In The SF Estuary?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds  Monitored How And Where Are Birds Monitored In The SF Estuary? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What birds are in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? How and where are birds monitored in the SF Estuary? What are SF Estuary bird population trends? How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? QUESTIONS ANSWERED - “How and where..” is bolded b/c that’s the page you’re on. “What birds…” links back to intro bird slide and “What are SF Estuary bird population trends?” links to that slide- Like in the other living resources slides, “how healthy…” links to “how healthy is the SF Estuary?” and “what’s being done” links to “What’s being done to protect California’s estuaries?” Birds are have been surveyed in many places in the SF Estuary. The map above shows a subset of the bird survey locations. For more bird survey locations, data, and other information, please see the following: California Avian Data Center: California Partners in Flight data: Point Blue Conservation Science / PRBO: California Department of Fish and Game: data, including Bird Species of Special Concern: Breeding waterfowl surveys: Breeding Bird Surveys (BBS)-

What Are SF Estuary Bird Population Trends?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds Trends What Are SF Estuary Bird Population Trends? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What birds are in the SF Estuary, and why are they important? How and where are birds monitored in the SF Estuary? What are SF Estuary bird population trends? Tidal Marsh Birds Nesting Herons and Egrets Breeding Waterfowl How healthy are they in the SF Estuary? What’s being done to protect them? QUESTIONS ANSWERED Bird population trends in the San Francisco Estuary are variable. Many species are decreasing, while a few are decreasing. Tidal Marsh Birds [link to section below] Nesting Herons and Egrets [link to section below] Breeding Waterfowl [link to section below] Tidal Marsh Birds Nesting Herons and Egrets Breeding Waterfowl Nesting tidal marsh birds- San Francisco Bay Nesting herons & egrets San Francisco Bay Breeding waterfowl – Napa-Sonoma Marsh, Suisun Marsh, Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta

What Are The Trends In SF Estuary Tidal Marsh Birds?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds Trends  Tidal marsh birds What Are The Trends In SF Estuary Tidal Marsh Birds? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management [template 2] Tidal marsh birds – San Francisco Bay, San Pablo Bay, and Suisun Bay Tidal marsh birds are indicators of the health of the tidal marsh habitat where they live. These birds require specific food, primarily invertebrates, and specific vegetation structure for cover and nesting. Populations of tidal marsh birds decreased historically due to loss of tidal marsh habitat. In the last 10 years, numerous tidal marsh restoration projects have been initiated, and it is hoped that they will create additional habitat for these bird species. Tidal marsh birds discussed here include California black rail, common yellowthroat, and three tidal marsh song sparrow subspecies: Suisun, San Pablo, and Alameda song sparrow. These species are rare to common year-round residents of tidal salt, brackish, and freshwater marshes, where dense vegetation and water meet. Some also live in non-tidal marshes and riparian wetlands. All are considered special status species or sub-species by the State of California. The index of birds is presented as density of bird per hectare (insert definition) per survey. Click on the links below for photos, trends and additional information on each species. This information previously appeared in the State of the San Francisco Bay 2011 Report and Technical Appendices. California black rail trends (link to section below) Common yellowthroat trends (link to section below) Tidal marsh song sparrow trends (link to section below) Follow instructions on workgroup webpage from here down. What are SF Estuary bird population trends? Tidal marsh birds Nesting Herons and Egrets Breeding waterfowl QUESTIONS ANSWERED - “Tidal marsh birds” is bolded b/c that’s the page you’re on. - “What are SF Estuary bird population trends?” takes you back to the same page with that title

Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds Trends  Herons & Egrets What Are The Trends In SF Estuary Birds: Nesting Herons and Egrets? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… What are SF Estuary bird population trends? Tidal Marsh Birds Nesting Herons and Egrets Breeding Waterfowl QUESTIONS ANSWERED Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > Slide show of images and graphs with captions and descriptions text

< > What Are SF Estuary Breeding Waterfowl Population Trends?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Health  Living Resources  Birds Trends  Breeding Waterfowl What Are SF Estuary Breeding Waterfowl Population Trends? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management What are SF Estuary bird population trends? Tidal marsh birds Nesting Herons and Egrets Breeding waterfowl QUESTIONS ANSWERED < > Slide show of images and graphs with captions and descriptions Text goes here.

< > Why Is Water A Key Attribute?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Water Why Is Water A Key Attribute? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED Why is water a key attribute? What do we mean by water quantity? What do we mean by water quality? < > Water related pictures that you can click on to get to details - You get to this slide by clicking on the water tab in the sliding viewer on slide 11. - In Q/A box, - “what do we mean by water quantity…” links to its page (next slide) - “what do we mean by water quality” links to its page. Why is Water a Key Attribute? Water is a key attribute of estuaries because it is a necessary ingredient of any aquatic ecosystem. Estuaries are aquatic environments defined by the interaction and mixing of fresh water from rivers and streams with saltwater from the ocean. The position and size of this mixing zone are controlled by the tides and freshwater inputs. Water quantity and (link to WATER QUANTITY) water quality (LINK TO WATER QUALITY) are two measurable properties that have direct effects on the health of an estuary. Learn more about the most recent evaluation of the state of the SF Bay. (link to SOTB Report 2011)

< > What Do We Mean By Water Quantity? - In Q/A box:
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Water  Quantity What Do We Mean By Water Quantity? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management QUESTIONS ANSWERED Why is water a key attribute? What do we mean by water quantity? What do we mean by water quality? < > Water related pictures that you can click on to get to details What Is Water Quantity? Water Quantity: The quantity and timing of freshwater inputs to the estuary from rivers, tidal exchange of sea water, and the volume, frequency, and duration of water diversions are measurable properties that directly affect estuarine aquatic habitat, water quality, water supply, and the abundance and distribution of aquatic life in the SF Estuary. Tides vary predictably throughout the year but are largely unaffected by human activities. On the other hand, freshwater flows vary seasonally (e.g. storms and the timing of snowmelt) and across years (e.g. wet years and dry years); freshwater flow is affected by human use (diversions) and storage practices (behind dams). Variation in the flow of freshwater is a major determinant of water quality, ecosystem processes, and habitat distribution that varies greatly from year-to-year and can be influenced by human water management activities. Why is Water Quantity Important? Measurable water quantity properties in an estuary are focused on freshwater because of the importance of freshwater to the system, the influence humans have over freshwater flows, and the demand for freshwater diversions to supply irrigation, drinking, and industrial uses. - In Q/A box: - “why is water a key attribute?” links its page - “what do we mean by water quantity” is bolded to indicate that this is the page you are on. Clicking it wouldn’t do anything. For organization. - “water quality?” links to its page (next slide)

< > What Do We Mean By Water Quality? - In Q/A box:
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Water  Quality What Do We Mean By Water Quality? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > QUESTIONS ANSWERED Why is water a key attribute? What do we mean by water quantity? What do we mean by water quality? Water related pictures that you can click on to get to details - In Q/A box: - “why is water a key attribute?” links to its page. - “water quantity” links to its page - “what do we mean by water quality?” is bolded to indicate that this is the page you are on. Clicking it wouldn’t do anything. For organization. What Is Water Quality? Water quality refers to the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water. There are many measurable properties of water that determine the overall condition of water for aquatic life and other beneficial uses such as drinking water, irrigation, fishing, and swimming. Some of the most common water quality properties measured include: Water quality parameters can include such as: salinity temperature conductance dissolved oxygen pH nutrients pathogens contaminants, such as pesticides (e.g., DDT, dieldrin, chlordane, and pyrethroids) and heavy metals (e.g., mercury and selenium). Some water quality properties are indicators of physical aquatic habitat condition such as salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. Sometimes, these properties are called ""vital sign" indicators. Other water quality properties refer to maximum contaminant levels that aquatic or human life can tolerate. Why Is It Important? Water quality is important for supporting aquatic life and other users of aquatic resources in the estuary. Poor water quality can negatively impact the health of the estuary by contributing to the reduction of aquatic life populations, increase water treatment costs for uses drinking, and reducing the supply of water for irrigation, industrial, and aquatic life uses.

< > Why is Habitat a Key Attribute?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Habitat Why is Habitat a Key Attribute? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management < > Habitat related pictures that you can click on to get to details - You get to this slide by clicking on the habitat tab in the sliding viewer on slide 11. Why is habitat a key attribute? [text on website]

Why are Ecological Processes a Key Attribute?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Ecological Processes Why are Ecological Processes a Key Attribute? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Why are ecological processes a key attribute? The SF Estuary food web includes fish [link to fish pages], birds [link to bird pages], other wildlife, and the microscopic organisms, plants, and invertebrates that are food for them. The food web diagram above shows a simplified version of the relationships between these organisms – in reality it is much more complex. The base of the food web is made up of organisms called primary producers, a group of organisms that includes microscopic aquatic plants (phytoplankton) [link to phytoplankton page] and larger terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. Phytoplankton is consumed by microscopic aquatic animals (zooplankton) [link to zooplankton page] and larger terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. The condition of the base of the food web is critical to the rest of the organisms in the food web. Changes in the abundance, distribution, or quality of key organisms at the base of the food web can affect those at the top, and changes in organisms at the top of the food web can in turn affect the abundance of organisms at the base. - You get to this slide by clicking on the ecological processes tab in the sliding viewer on slide 11.

Note: The diagram on slide 57 will be presented on slide 55. Slide 57 shows what additional edits need to be made to the diagram by 34 North.

Why are Ecological Processes a Key Attribute?
Home Safe to Drink Safe to Swim Safe to Eat Fish Ecosystem Health Stressors & Processes Contact Us Home  Eco Health  Estuaries  Where  San Francisco  Health  Ecological Processes Why are Ecological Processes a Key Attribute? …………………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……… Cal/EPA Natural Resources Agency About the California Water Quality Monitoring Council ESTUARIES Stressors Laws, Regulations & Standards Research Monitoring Programs, Data Sources & Reports Restoration & Management Stewardship Additional changes: Change “piscivores” to “fish” Change the words “benthic invertebrates” to “benthic organisms” Add an arrow above “piscivores” going to a box with “birds” in it. Draw a an arrow starting at the benthic box directly to the bird box (with the arrow pointing to the bird box) Take out the words “food web drivers” from the red box.

California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback

Log in

Auth with social network:

California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the.

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "California Estuary Monitoring Workgroup’s Estuary Portal Instructions for 34 North This pages are for general layout guidance and for guidance on the."— Presentation transcript:

Similar presentations

About project

Feedback