Martinez Waterfront
Map SatelliteAs an ecotone between the saltwater marshes surrounding San Francisco Bay and the freshwater marshes of the Delta, this area is of special interest. Freshwater species predominate but there are some extensive stands of typical salt marsh vegetation.
Some fairly extensive stands of pickleweed, Salicornia utahensis, mixed with Jaumea carnosa on the shore of the tidal marsh may be the beginnings of a salt marsh. Increasing salinity of the soils in the area support this suggestion, as does the transition occurring in the Suisun Marsh.
The lower, deep-water phase of the tidal marsh is a virtually pure stand of the California bulrush, Scirpus californicus; the giant bulrush, Scirpus acutus, occurs in the shallower phase. A few stands of natural hybrids of these two species are found here, a rarity. The higher marsh is more diversified and is dominated by cattails, Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, Typha domingensis, and Typha angustifolia X Typha latifolia. The rare sweet-pea, Lathyrus jepsonii, occurs here.
A substantial portion of the area is a mudflat formed by spoils. Suaeda taxifolia and Salicornia utahensis are the pioneers in the mudflat area. Waterfowl are abundant in season.
Integrity: The marsh is relatively pristine; however, a portion of the area is fill and commercially developed.
Use: Educational, research, observational
Ref: Anon. 1974. Martinez Waterfront: Phase I, Resource Analysis Martinez, Contra Costa County, Calif. Arbegast and Newton, Berkeley.
May 1975
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
