Over 96% and 98% of the vegetated and unvegetated estuarine wetlands, respectively, have been lost over the past century and a half in the Los Angeles region. This loss is mainly attributed to conversion of wetland habitat to uplands through fill deposition or development (Stein et al. 2014). The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (Reserve) located… Continue reading Technical Memorandum: Condition Assessment of the Wetland Habitats in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
Topic Category: Revitalizing Wetlands
Technical Memorandum: Patterns of Vehicle-Based Vertebrate Mortality in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
Over the past decade, concerned stakeholders anecdotally noticed a high frequency of animal kills along the major roadways adjacent to the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (“BWER” or “Reserve”) (L. Fimiani, personal communication, 2011). This memorandum was developed to quantify the vertebrate mortality along Reserve-adjacent roadways. Additionally, it will provide information and data to the ongoing… Continue reading Technical Memorandum: Patterns of Vehicle-Based Vertebrate Mortality in the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
A Regional Survey of the Extent and Magnitude of Eutrophication in Mediterranean Estuaries of Southern California, USA
(Abstract) The magnitude and extent of eutrophication was assessed at 27 segments in 23 estuaries in the Southern California Bight (SCB) between October 2008 and 2009. We applied thresholds from the existing assessment frameworks from both the European Union and the U.S. National Eutrophication Assessment to measurements of three indicators [macroalgae biomass and cover, phytoplankton… Continue reading A Regional Survey of the Extent and Magnitude of Eutrophication in Mediterranean Estuaries of Southern California, USA
The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Baseline Assessment Program 2010-2011 Final Report
In September 2011, the SMBRC completed the second year of baseline assessment surveys at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (BWER). The comprehensive surveys were developed in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game and the California State Coastal Conservancy to assess the condition of the BWER and inform the state’s wetlands restoration planning.… Continue reading The Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve Baseline Assessment Program 2010-2011 Final Report
Ballona Community Iceplant Removal Project
The Bay Foundation (TBF), in partnership with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Friends of Ballona Wetlands (FBW), and community volunteers, is conducting a project to remove invasive vegetation while broadening public involvement and stewardship at the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (Reserve). The project focuses on the removal of iceplant and other non-native species… Continue reading Ballona Community Iceplant Removal Project
Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
A significant portion of the Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve (Reserve)—once home to abundant fish and waterfowl—was filled in to build Ballona Creek in the 1930s and Marina del Rey in the 1950s and 60s. Invasive plants, such as iceplant and other non-native vegetation not native to Southern California, have taken over much of the Reserve,… Continue reading Ballona Wetlands Ecological Reserve
Stream and Wetland Monitoring
The northern portion of the Santa Monica Bay Watershed has many smaller sub-watersheds that end in small-scale bar-built estuaries that have largely been filled in with sediment from development over time and suffer from impaired water quality, such as Topanga Lagoon, Trancas Lagoon, and Zuma Lagoon. The Bay Foundation (TBF) is currently working with partner… Continue reading Stream and Wetland Monitoring