Understanding the past to envision the future
Given the dramatic changes to California landscapes during the past two centuries, we often have only a rudimentary understanding of the systems we seek to protect and enhance. This can result in missed restoration opportunities and, in some cases, failed projects. However, the development of accurate information about historical conditions and landscape change can help identify the causes of current challenges and reveal previously unrecognized management options. An understanding of past landscape patterns, processes, and functions helps scientists and land managers develop strategies for more integrated and functional landscape management.
Mapping
A central element of our historical ecology work is the creation of digital maps of historical landscape conditions. Historical ecology maps illustrate the distribution of habitats, streams, and other ecological features prior to major landscape modifications, and help us understand how these features were shaped by underlying physical controls and processes. We create these maps by synthesizing a wide range of archival documents, including maps, photographs, and textual accounts. Our historical ecology mapping is available through EcoAtlas.
Assessing Landscape Change
Historical ecology mapping forms the basis for analyzing landscape change over time, allowing us to quantify and visualize changes in habitat extent and distribution, channel networks, shorelines, and wildlife support. Assessment of landscape change can reveal which habitat types have been disproportionately lost and where remnant habitats remain, thus helping to prioritize areas for protection or restoration.
Restoration Planning
Findings from historical ecology research inform a wide range of restoration planning efforts. An understanding of the conditions and range of variability to which native species are adapted helps us to develop strategies to reintegrate lost ecological functions and restore and manage more resilient ecosystems in the future.
Reconstructing California’s diverse landscapes
Over the course of several decades, SFEI has conducted dozens of historical ecology studies throughout California, in geographies ranging from estuaries to river valleys to terrestrial ecosystems. Each landscape tells a unique story while also reflecting common themes, deepening our sense of place and our understanding of future potential.
Latest News
Fri, Sep 26 2025
Explore Our Latest Historical Ecology StoryMap!
Tue, Aug 29 2023
Restoration Plan for the Laguna de Santa Rosa Completed!
Tue, Oct 10 2017
Flood Control 2.0 Wins an Outstanding Environmental Project Award!
Featured Projects
Recent Publications
Restoring Sediment Pathways: A Resilient Landscape Vision for the Adobe Creek Baylands
Restoring Sediment Pathways: A Resilient Landscape Vision for the Adobe Creek Baylands synthesizes science and community priorities into a nature-based approach for improving the resilience and ecological…
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