PROJECT HIGHLIGHT:
The Estuary Marine Protected Area (MPA) Monitoring Program is a statewide effort to assess the health and ecological functions of California's estuarine MPAs and reference estuaries through comprehensive monitoring, data analysis and reporting, providing critical information to guide effective management of these vital coastal ecosystems.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
California's estuaries — where rivers meet the ocean — are important ecosystems. They provide critical nursery habitat for marine life, support biodiversity, filter pollutants and offer other important ecological functions. However, many estuaries face threats from coastal development, pollution and climate change. To better understand the health of California's 23 estuarine marine protected areas (MPAs) and gauge the effectiveness of MPA protections, the Estuary MPA (EMPA) Monitoring Program was established in 2019.
This monitoring program is collecting data on key indicators of estuary function such as nutient cycling, nursery habitat, sea level rise amelioration and shellfish support. Standardized field protocols will assess indicators like water quality, sediment characteristics, vegetation, fish and invertebrate communities across 21 estuaries between 2024 and 2026. The data will be analyzed to compare conditions inside and outside of MPAs and identify major threats. The results will help inform future management actions to protect and restore California's estuaries.
A publicly accessible database and reports will share the monitoring data and findings. The program also aims to enhance coordination between different habitat monitoring groups, develop training resources and pilot new monitoring technologies. By establishing a robust baseline of estuary condition, this initiative will shed light on the status of these critical coastal ecosystems and guide conservation efforts.