Map of the Bodega Marine Reserve (BMR) salt marsh study site within the Bodega Bay Harbor at Bodega Bay, California (38°19'N 123°04'W), USA. The inset map of the state of California shows the location of Bodega Bay ~ 100 km north of San Francisco. The salt marsh at Bodega Head, Sonoma County (38° 19'N 123° 04'W) is approximately 100 km north of San Francisco, California and 0.5 km from the Pacific ocean within a marine embayment. The region experiences a Mediterranean-type climate with most precipitation falling from November through April; cool foggy summers follow. The marsh receives mixed semi-diurnal tidal cycles throughout the year, and is typical of high elevation tidal marshes of northern California and Oregon. Distinct salt marsh vegetation assemblages are evident along a subtle intertidal gradient and include halophyte species such as Sarcocornia pacficia, Distichlis spicata, Limonium californicum, and Plantago maritima. Sand accretion from adjacent dunes and tidal deposition contribute to the development of a diverse, open plant community in the highest salt marsh zone where bare successional patches continually are being created.