This report describes the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Historical Ecology Study, which was conducted to provide foundation information to develop sound large-scale restoration efforts in the Delta. The report documents early 1800s pattern and process in the Delta. Historical habitat type extent and distribution are described, the landscape context explored, and driving hydrological and other physical processes examined.

This study synthesizes a diverse array of data to examine the ecological patterns, ecosystem functions, and hydrology that characterized a central portion of the Laguna de Santa Rosa during the mid-19th century, and to analyze landscape changes over the past 150 years. The primary purpose of this study was to help guide restoration actions and other measures aimed at reducing nutrient loads within this portion of the Laguna de Santa Rosa watershed.