Publication Date

Summer 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor

Lynne Trulio; Rachel O'Malley; Katie LaBarbera

Abstract

Restoration is acknowledged worldwide as a conservation need to return ecosystem functions. However, projects require monitoring to track system changes and assess restoration progress. In the San Francisco Bay, several large restoration projects are implementing plans to return salt-producing ponds to the historical ecosystem, tidal salt marsh. The Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula), a California species of special concern, has been documented to use restored and historic marshes, but their use of restored salt ponds is not fully understood. The birds’ use of restored marshes may be a useful measure of restoration progress. This research investigated the relationships comparing Alameda song sparrow breeding and abundance with salt pond restoration age and percent cover of native plants. I also addressed whether plant communities at restoration sites of various ages met Alameda song sparrow habitat requirements. I collected transect count data on Alameda song sparrow abundance at seven sites in the South San Francisco Bay, then used quadrats to estimate plant cover within each of 3 transects per site. To assess whether sites supported breeding birds, I mist-netted and banded birds at a subset of sites where bird abundance and plant species composition data were collected. Results show little effect of time since pond breaching and native plant cover on Alameda song sparrow abundance, and a positive effect of vegetation height.

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