This is a scanned copy of excerpts from Changes in a California Estuary, 2002 Jane M. Caffrey, Martha T. Brown, W. Breck Tyler; Mark Silberstein, editors Excerpted chapters include 1. Introduction 6. Archaeology and Prehistory 7. History of Land Use CHANGES ~~INA~~ CALIFORNIA ESTUARY ElK H () H 0. ~ I (J \ (. I! FUl r'-U/\] j()~ he Elkhorn Slough Foundation is a community-supported non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Elkhorn Slough and its watershed. Since 1982, the Elkhorn Slough T Foundation has developed programs in research, cducation, intcrpretation and stC'wardship focused on understanding and protecting the natural resources of this remarkable estuary. The Foundation and the Department of Fish and Game staff of the National Estuarine Research Reserve have flll'll1ed a strong parrnersh ip to conserve the slough. The Foundation rook responsibility as a land trust in 1')')7 and today manages over 2,')00 acres of slough lands-the largest conservation holdings in the watershed. Currently the Foundation is actively acquiring and restoring key wetlands and habitats in the slough and developing long-term stewardship for these lands. The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve is owned and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game. The Reserve is one of26 sites around the nation's coastline that operates in a state-federal partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Reserve manages an active research and monitoring program implemented by staff, volunteers, and university faculty and students. Education programs focus on teacher training, school field trips, docent-led tours, and workshops for coastal decision makers. The public can explore the Reserve via award-winning visitor center exhibits, hiking trails, boardwalks, and overlooks. The stewardship program addresses issues such as hazardous spill prevention, erosion control, and habitat restoration. Over 100 volunteers assist with all functions of the Reserve. Reserve programs seek to address key Elkhorn Slough watershed issues including habitat degradation and loss, tidal scour, invasive species, and water quality. © 2002 Elkhorn Slough Foundation. All rights reserved. Elkhorn Slough Foundation Moss Landing, California www.elkhornslough.org Major funding for this publication was provided by: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Grant # NA770R0469 Patricia Price Peterson Foundation Acacia Foundation Lysbeth Anderson Monterey Bay Aquarium Cover art: Bill Fenwick Design: Kirsten Carlson ® Printed in Hong Kong 011 recycled paper. ElK II () H N S I () 11 (; II FOl!NDATION TABLE OF CONTENTS~' III CHANGES IN A CALIFORNIA ESTUARY A Profile of Elkhorn Slough TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ....................................................................... Xl Acknowledgments , ...................................... , ... , .................. xiii Contributors .................................................................. , xv Chapter 1. Introduction Jane Caffrey, Mark Silberstein, and Les Strnad Environmental Setting ............................................................ 1 Geographic Setting . , . 2 Habitats and Communities ..................................... , .................. 4 Regional Research and Education Institutions ........................................... 7 Overview of Themes .......................................................... , .. 9 Appendix 1.1 Regulatory Jurisdictions ............................................... 11 References .................................................................... 13 Chapter 2. Geology Dave Schwartz Passive vs. Active Tectonic Settings . , ................................................ 16 Pre-Holocene Geologic History .................................................... 17 Holocene Events: Sea Level Changes and Slough Development ........... , ................. 19 River Channel Changes and Human Impacts .......................................... 21 Management Issues and Research Recommendations ........... , ....... , ................ 21 Late Pleistocene History , ......................... , ........... , ................. 22 Effects of Tidal Scouring ........................................................ 22 Geologic Timeline of Elkhorn Valley and Elkhorn Slough ................................. 22 References .................................................................... 24 Chapter 3. Climate Jane Caffrey Elkhorn Slough's Three Seasons ........................... , ....... , ...... , ......... 25 Interannual Rainfall ............................................................ 26 Management Issues and Research Recommendations .................................... 28 References .................................................................... 28 Chapter 4. Hydrography Jane Caffrey and William Broenkow Human and Natural Changes to Elkhorn Slough's Hydrography ............................ 29 Estuarine Classification and Salinity Patterns .......................................... 32 IV A PROFIl.E OF ELKHORN SLOUCH Chapter 4. Hydrography (continued) Tidal Characteristics of Elkhorn Slough .............................................. 35 Morphomerry ................................................................. 35 Circulation Patterns ............................................................. 37 Sediment'li'ansport and Tidal Scour ..................................................1<) Managemelll Issues and Research RC(Oll1lllClllialiol1s ....... ......................... 41 Water Transport .............................................................. 41 Tidal Scour ................................................................. 41 Groundwater Resources ........................................................ 41 References .................................................................... 42 Chapter 5. Soils Marc Los Huertos and Carol Shennan Soil Formation in the Elkhorn Slough Watershed ....................................... 43 Soil Types in the Elkhorn Slough Watershed ........................................... 45 Arnold Series ................................................................ 47 Santa Ynez Series ............................................................. 47 Arbukle Series ............................................................... 47 Elkhorn Series ............................................................... 48 Soil Erosion ................................................................... 48 Types of Soil Erosion .......................................................... 48 The Effect of Farming on Soil Structure ............................................ 49 Contaminated Soils ............................................................. 50 Management Issues and Research Recommendations .................................... 50 Soil Surveys ................................................................. 50 Erosion Management .......................................................... 51 Nutrient Management and Demonstration Sites ...................................... 51 References .................................................................... 52 Chapter 6. Archaeology and Prehistory Terry Jones Paleoenvironment .............................................................. 55 Holocene Climate ............................................................ 55 Hydrographic Changes and Slough Occupation ...................................... 57 Ethnohistory .................................................................. 60 Sociopolitical Organization and Ethnogcography ..................................... 60 Shelter and Clothing .......................................................... 63 Settlement and Subsistence ..................................................... 6.1 Subsistence Resources .......................................................... 65 Mammals ................................................................. 65 Birds ..................................................................... 65 Fish .................................................................... 65 Shellfish .................................................................. 65 Plant Foods ............................................................... 66 Controlled Burning ........................................................... 67 Archaeology of Elkhorn Slough .................................................... 67 TAB LEO F CON TEN T S ,~' v Chapter 6. Archaeology and Prehistory (continued) Culture History .......... ,.,., .... , ... , .... , ... , ... , ... ,., ..... , ..... , .... , .. 68 Diet and Settlement Patterns ... , ... , .... ,., ........ , .. ,., .... , .. , .... " ......... 70 Ethnolinguistic Group Migration .............. , ........... " ........ , ... , ....... , 72 Management Issues and Research Recommendations ... , .. , ... , ......... , .... ,' ......... 73 Paleoenvironmental History ................ , ..... ,., ..... "., .. , ....... , ........ 73 Archaeological Inventory and Site Conservation , ....... " .. ,., ....... , ............... 74 Chronology and Culture History ........ , ........... ,',., ... ,',." ......... ,., ... 74 Native American Concerns .. , . , , .. , .. , , .. , ........... , ....................... , .. 74 Appendix 6.1 Mission Records and Tribelet Locations ... , .. , ..... , . , .... , ........... , . , . 75 Appendix 6.2 History of Archaeological Research in the Elkhorn Slough Region ....... , . , ..... 75 References .....,.....,............,...,.......,...............,..............