Central Laguna de Santa Rosa Historical Ecology GIS Data

These datasets depict the historical habitat types and channel alignment of central Laguna de Santa Rosa and surrounding tributaries, representing average dry-season conditions prior to substantial Euro-American modification (~late 1700s-late 1800s). The data were also used to compare historical and current channel lengths as well as wetland and riparian extents.
The study area encompasses approximately 13 km2 (5 mi2 ) in the central portion of the Laguna de Santa Rosa to the east of Sebastopol (Fig. 1B in the report). It extends from Guerneville Road on the north to approximately 7 km (4.5 mi) south.
These datasets accompany the descriptive report.
Related Projects

The Laguna de Santa Rosa (Laguna) watershed spans 256 square miles and supports a unique complex of biologically diverse ecosystems. Containing the urban centers of Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Cotati, Rohnert Park, and Windsor, the Laguna watershed encompasses one of the largest floodplains in California. Historically the Laguna watershed supported a diverse ecosystem consisting of oak savanna/vernal pool complexes, riparian forest, emergent and off channel wetlands, and open water.

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.