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xix Living Planet Report 2012, published by WWF with numbers from Global Footprint Network (www .footprintnetwork.org), revealed that humanity's Ecological Footprint has more than doubled since 1966. In 2008, the most recent year for which data are available, humanity used the equivalent of 1.5 planets to support its activities. Tidal marshes represent just one example of an ecosystem whose historical and present states accurately reflect the above-mentioned trend. Despite being instrumental, in providing ecosystem services to human society (in addition to their own intrinsic value), tidal marshes have been rapidly declining over the last century around the world, as land is given up to coastal development. The tidal marshes of the San Francisco Estuary fall into three broad overlapping categories: the freshwater marshes of the Delta, the brackish-water marshes of Suisun Bay, and the salt marshes of San Francisco Bay. Over time the San Francisco Estuary tidal marshes have experienced it all: undervaluation and destruction, research and monitoring, public education, protection policy failures and achievements, conservation and restoration efforts. As a result, the rich literature on the San Francisco Estuary tidal marshes can provide valuable lessons as well as solutions for tidal marshes (and other ecosystems as well) located in any part of the world. The purpose of this book is to review and integrate such knowledge and make it available to a broader audience, with a hope that old mistakes are not repeated and new awareness is spread and implemented. I am grateful to Jaime Kooser for planting the seed, Chuck Crumly for his encouragement and advice, and 31 reviewers for their comments that helped to improve this book. I was honored to work with 38 outstanding contributing authors, who did a great job in reviewing and synthesizing available information about tidal marshes of the San Francisco Estuary. I am also grateful to Danutė Januta, Jake Patrick Keenan, and Maria Adriaans for their financial contribution. This book would not have happened without the constant loving support of my wife, Rita Stanikūnaitė. a r na s Pa l a im a Berkeley, California 2012 PrefaCe anD aCknowleDgments ...

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