. The ecology of Tijuana Estuary, California : a national estuarine research reserve . "v^ I Figure The northern arm of Tijuana Estuary, looking east (photo by D. Fink). describe in Chapter 3, Tijuana Estuary is sometimes river dominated, sometimes partially mixed, and usually vertically homogeneous, although with marine rather than brackish water. Its vertical salinity profile can become positive or negative, depending on weather and tidal flushing conditions. Because most of the estuary has shallow- water habitat, the wetland classification of Cowardin et al. (1979) is also applica
. The ecology of Tijuana Estuary, California : a national estuarine research reserve . "v^ I Figure The northern arm of Tijuana Estuary, looking east (photo by D. Fink). describe in Chapter 3, Tijuana Estuary is sometimes river dominated, sometimes partially mixed, and usually vertically homogeneous, although with marine rather than brackish water. Its vertical salinity profile can become positive or negative, depending on weather and tidal flushing conditions. Because most of the estuary has shallow- water habitat, the wetland classification of Cowardin et al. (1979) is also applicable. The intertidal portion of the system fits within the California Province, estuarine system, intertidal subsystem, emergent wetland class, persistent subclass, dominated by common pickleweed (Salicornia virginica) and Pacific cordgrass (Spariina foliosa). Tijuana Estuary is a highly variable system that may best be termed an "intermittent ; During the winter wet season, its waters are diluted by rainfall and streamflow; during the rest of the year, it is an extension of the ocean. As sireamflow and wetland soil salinities suggest (Chapter 3), it may be one of the nation's most variable estuaries. THE ESTUARINE HABITATS Tijuana Estuary is a wetland-dominated estuary (Figures ). There is no major embayment, but rather a series of channels and a relatively narrow ocean connection. In most years, the mouth has been open, and tidal flushing has prevailed. The intertidal area supports mostly salt marsh vegetation, while mudflats and sandflats occupy only a small fraction of the site. Inland, the upper salt marsh grades into transitional vegetation, which in turn grades into coastal scrub and chaparral.
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