We feel that these articles do not accurately depict the inherent ecological value of our local salt marsh ecosystem, and we disagree with Dr. Harris' conclusions as to the desirability of salt marsh restoration. First, to put things in perspective, salt marshes are among the most devastated habitat types in the Humboldt Bay region, having been reduced by 90 percent since the railroad was completed around the margin of the Bay in 1901. Similar losses of salt marsh have occurred throughout California and the west coast. The spread of exotic cordgrass has further degraded these areas. But unlike Dr. Harris, we feel that these impacts are precisely the reason that this habitat type should be of the highest priority for restoration.
Salt marshes are rich and complex natural systems.
The number of vascular plant species is not the most valid measure of an ecosystem's complexity, just the most visible. Even so, the vascular plant diversity of our local salt marshes is much greater than was stated in the articles. In particular, our high salt marshes are home to many more than the three species of plants mentioned by Dr. Harris, and many of these plants grow in abundance, not as isolated or occasional patches as stated. As Dr. Harris states, these are specialized plants, having evolved fascinating adaptations to deal with the toxicity of a saline environment. Such evolutionary specialization make these species particularly deserving of protection.