Ecology of San Francisco Bay-Delta tidal wetlands

Tidal wetlands are an integral part of estuarine dynamics; especially diverse and productive on the freshwater end of the salinity gradient.

The San Francisco Bay - Delta estuary experiences a Mediterranean climate that accentuates salinity in the summer.  Global climate change projects increases in rates of sea level rise and, locally, salinity.  Ongoing projects focus on these processes in the context of climate change.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS (pdfs in main listing)

• Diggory, Z.E. and V.T. Parker. In press. Seed supply and revegetation dynamics at restored tidal marshes, Napa River, CA. Restoration Ecology
• Schile, L.M., Parker, V. T., J. C. Callaway, & M. C. Vasey. In review. Productivity of the halophytic plant Sarcocornia pacifica along a salinity gradient in the San Francisco Bay Estuary. Estuaries and coast.
• Leck, M. A., A. Baldwin, V. T. Parker, L. M. Schile, and D. Whigham. 2009. Plant communities of tidal freshwater wetlands of the continental USA and Canada, pp. 41-58. In: A. Barendregt, D.F. Whigham and A.H. Baldwin. (eds.) Tidal Freshwater Wetlands. Backhuys Publ; Leiden, The Netherlands.
• Callaway, J., V. T. Parker, M. C. Vasey and L. M. Schile. 2007. Emerging issues for the restoration of tidal marsh ecosystems in the context of predicted climate change. Madroño 54 (3):234–248.
• Parker, V. T. and M. A. Leck. 1985. Relationships of seed banks to plant distribution patterns in a freshwater tidal wetland. American Journal of Botany 72:161-174.
• Hopkins, D. R. and V. T. Parker. 1983. A study of the seed bank of a salt marsh in northern San Francisco Bay. American Journal of Botany 71:348-355.