Eden Landing Ecological Reserve
South San Francisco Bay hosts one of the largest tidal wetland restoration programs on the Pacific
coast of North America. Former industrial salt evaporation ponds are progressively being reconnected to tidal influence
through the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project. Sites such as Eden Landing illustrate the ecological recovery of
restored salt marshes and tidal flats following decades of industrial use.
Within REWRITE, the San Francisco Bay demonstrator contributes international expertise on large-scale tidal wetland
restoration and provides insights into the long-term trajectories of restored marsh ecosystems.
Characteristics
Habitat Types in San Francisco Bay
Saltmarsh
Mudflat
Historical trajectories
- High development pressure in the San Francisco Bay
- Most of the tidal wetlands were lost previously due to urban development
Main objectives
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1Monitor ecological recovery of restored tidal wetlands
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2Assess restoration outcomes in former salt pond landscapes
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3Generate knowledge supporting large-scale wetland restoration
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Past and current
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (since 2003) – One of the largest wetland restoration projects in the USA aiming to restore former salt ponds to tidal marshes – ~6,000 ha targeted.
Eden Landing Ecological Reserve restoration (ongoing) – Conversion of former industrial salt ponds into tidal wetlands and managed habitats for biodiversity – ~3,200 ha, included within South Bay programme
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Future