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Monitoring and Management of Lagoon Mouths in Southern California

Monitoring and Management of Lagoon Mouths in Southern California

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Southern California lagoons are complex environments that require informed management practices. In their natural states, many of these lagoons periodically open and close to the sea. However, watershed alterations and lagoon inlet modifications have reduced their capacity to open and close as they usually do. In response, coastal managers have begun to manage these lagoons to remain open for water quality purposes. However, scientists and managers have recently been reconsidering this one-size-fits-all approach to lagoon management, since managing a lagoon mouth to be continually open can be expensive and may compromise the lagoon's unique biodiversity and ecosystem services.

About this resource

This project overview describes how a 2015 Science Transfer project led by the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve analyzed existing lagoon mouth literature and long-term monitoring data to provide managers with the information needed to improve the health of Southern California's coastal lagoons. The overview highlights the project approach, benefits, products, and next steps.