The Ecology of Tijuana Estuary, California: An Estuarine Profile

ecause the monitoring program was narrow in its
focus. Monitoring will be extended to include
channeis, with regular sampling of benthic
invertebrates and fishes in 1986. Bird studies
need to be added as well. Long-term systematic
sampling focused to identify cause-effect
relationships is an appropriate approach for an
estuary that is subject to a highly variable
environment. The long-term data track in turn
provides an excellent backdrop for specific studies
of population, community, and ecosystem
dynamics.
The Pacific Estuarine Research Laboratory
(PERLI provides a second major opportunity for
estuarine science. This facility (Figure 691, iocated
on abandoned agr~cultural land at the southern
edge of Tijuana Estuary, provides small artificial
wetlands in replicate for controlled
experimentation, Again, the disturbances Xo
Tijuana Estuary catalyzed the shift toward
manipulative experimentation, Attempts to do
experimental work in situ at the estuary proved
difficult because background conditions were
unpredictable. Tests to assess the effects of
increased freshwater on the salt marsh were
initiated in 1984, when the normal tidal flows
became blocked. That year, treatments that were
intended to alter only soil salinity also altered soil
maisture, Thus, the need far a highly controlled
experimental facility was recognized and pursued.
The NOAA Sanctuary Programs Division and
California State Resources Agency have
cosponsored the development of the outdoor
laboratory, which is operated by San Oiego State
University (Figure 69).