Habitat map: Infrared aerial photography as above (scale 1:20,000) and aerial photography by Pro Esteros in 1989.

For Land Use and Designation we used the Urban Chart of the Urban Development Program of the city of Ensenada, B.C. (approx. scale 1:35,000).

Urban Development and Ecology of the City of Ensenada, B.C. (61) 77-24-66

20.947 km² (5173.91 acres)

2

The beach at the northern end of the barrier beach, saltmarsh and mudflats were designated by the state government as "Protected with Passive Use" and the dunes and coastal sage scrub of the northern end of the barrier beach, salt flats, main channel, and water body as "Protected with Active Use".

6

The site has supported livestock (cattle), but agriculture and sport fishing have been the main activitities in the area.

Minor tributary channels from the agriculture empty into arroyo Las Animas and meet tidal channels to the southeast of the estero.
 
 
 
 

During the period of 1978-1988 the mean annual precipitation the rainy years 78, 80 and 83 was 504.2 mm. For the rest of the period the average was 233.5 mm.

Currently, 40 million m³/year are extracted when the recharge is 19 million m³/year; this means an overexploitation of about 20 million m³/year.

Concentration levels of DDT and PCB 1254 detected in California mussels were below the limits set by the FDA (5mg/kg, wet weight).

Accordding to SARH (Rural Development District 001), DDT is not used in the adjacent valley of Maneadero.

In the Bahía de Todos Santos, from December 1991 to September 1993 the spatio-temporal variation of coliform bacteria was evaluated using the Most Probable Number method. Two out of 13 sampling stations were located, one in front of the mouth and the other in front of the barrier beach of Estero de Punta Banda. The one located in front of the mouth of the estero showed relatively higher concentrations of total and fecal coliforms, probably due to and increased pluvial precipitation during that year.

Nutrient concentration, salinity, temperature and time of water residence in the head of the estero are higher than in the mouth. Intersticial waters from sediments are an important fuente of nutrients and have nutrient concentrations (4-6 m g-at/l) higher than the water column. Freshwater runoff into the estero may increase the concentration of nitrates from 0.97µm in September to 3.3 µm in March. Fosfate concentration may not be influenced by freshwater and values are between 1.59 and 1.98 µm.

Primary productivity (Chlorophyll a) in summer is higher than in winter; during neap tides is higher than during spring tides, and in the mouth is higher than inside of the estero. Concentrations of Chlorophyll b and c inside the estero were higher than in the mouth. 

Oxigen (DO)

A 1993 study reported an estuarine gradient in March and an antiestuarine gradient in September.

During summer, the mouth of the estero is less than 200 m wide and during winter it increases its amplitude.

Sand dunes consist of medium to fine grains of sand, with an average close to 3.0 phi, well classified with low content of muds.

Salt marsh includes four sedimentary facies: barrier salt marsh, dominated by sands mixed with fine sediments of 2.5 to 4.55 phi poorly classified; cliff zone, with sediments between 0.93 a 3.9 phi very poorly classified; mouth of the estero, with sand grains from medium to fine, well classified; and zones of channels and mudflats dominated by slime and clays with values between 2.13 and 6.7 phi.

In 1978-1979 a study reported 49 species total of benthonic algae and fanerogams: 27 species of algae (Rhodophyta 15 species, Clorophyta 7 species, Phaeophyta 5 species). The most common and widely distributed algae were: Enteromorpha clathrata var. Clathrata, Enteromorpha flexuosa, Rhizoclonium riparium and Gracilaria verrucosa. Species richness was greater at sampling stations 1 (halfway of the sand bar inner shore) and 4 (mouth). 

Two species of fanerogams were present, Eel grass (Zostera marina) was the dominant vegetation.

Anabaena sp., Lyngbya sp., Microcoleus sp., and Oscillatoria sp., (blue-green algae) were also found in both habitats. 

A 1978-79 study found 13 species; the most common were: Spartina foliosa (cordgrass), Monanthochloe littoralis (Shoregrass), Salicornia pacifica (Glasswort), Suaeda californica var. Californica (Sea-blite), Batis maritima (Saltwort) and Frankenia grandifolia (Alkali-Heath).

Another survey in the barrier beach in 1978-79 reported 9 species. The dominant species were: Beach sand verbena (Abronia maritima), Spiny rush (Juncus acutus var. Sphaerocarpus), Mesembryanthemum chilense and Haplopappus venetus subsp. Vernonioides.

A 1979 study reports 258 species, 181 genus and 58 families. Eighty one percent (208) are native, and out of these 5% are typical of chaparral and coastal sage scrub; 15% are endemic to the transition zone between Diegan and Martirian regions.

In spring 1981, 272 pairs of Clapper Rails + were estimated. On May 1991, 57 breeding Snowy Plovers + (15 active nests and 10 broods). Belding´s Savannah Sparrow + is a common resident breeding bird in the area. 

A total of 163 species have been reported by different studies, 97 waterbirds, 10 raptors, and 56 upland species.

55 species were recorded in the Estero. The most abundant species were: Deepbody anchovy Anchoa compressa (31.7%), Kelp bass Palabrax clathratus (13.3%), TopsmellAtherinops affinis (7.77%) and California halibut Paralichthys californicus (7.57%). In the adjacent Bahía de Todos Santos 75 species were recorded. The most abundant were: Queenfish Seriphus politus(35.3%), California halibut Paralichthys californicus (13%) and California corvina Menticirrhus undulatus (8.07%). 

Eleven phyllas were identified: Cnidaria, Platyhelminta, Nemertea, Nematoda, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, Sipuncula, Phoronidea, Chaetognatha y Equinodermata. 

In seven of these phylla 83 families were identified.

Total density of the macrobenthos was 17,262 organisms m^-2, ranging from 4,292 organisms m^-2 in the area of the mouth to 35,003 organisms m^-2 in the area of the head

The area of the northern end of the barrier beach was the most diverse in terms of number of families with 55, the least diverse was the area of the mouth with 39 families. The area of the head had 42 families, whereas the area of the Boss Pacific 48 families.

Out of the total 83 families, 32 were Anellida, 20 crustacea, 18 mollusks, 5 echinoderms, 1 phoronoid, 3 nemertins, and 4 cnidaria.

Capitellidae was the most abundant, (absolute and relative density) in three of the areas (mouth, northern end of the barrier beach and Boss Pacific). A compilation of three studies (1990, 1992 and 1994) makes a total of 147 species. Of these, 15 are non native or translocated species. 

In the alfalfa fields the most common species of insects were: Coccinella californica, Cycloneda sanguinea, Hippodamia convergens, Nabis alternatus, Geocoris punctipes, Chrysopa carnea y Allograpta oblicua, and of spiders were: Tetraghata laboriosa, Pardosa ramulosa, P. distincta, Pardosa sp 1, Oxyopes salticus, Misumenops sp. y Xysticus sp.

In the corn fields the most common species of insects were: Cycloneda sanguinea, Chrysopa carnea y Allograpta oblicua, and of spiders were: Achaearanea tepidariorum y Ciclosa turbinata.

In the olive orchards the most common insect was: Geocoris punctipes and spiders were: Ixeuticus martius y Rualena sp. A compilation of three studies (1980, 1990, 1992) reports a total of 86 species plus 7 taxa to family level, three of which are sensitive species.

A 1992 study reported 15 species of reptiles and 2 amphibia. Another 1990 report list 6 species of reptiles and 4 of amphibia. Putting together both reports and adding other species that are expected to occur in the area by habitat and distribution, there can be up to 31 species of reptiles and 11 of amphibia. Eleven species of reptiles have a special status.