Ecosystems

San Francisco Bay Area National Parks encompass a staggering diversity of ecosystems. Situated in one of the most biologically rich areas in the world, the parks include open ocean and rocky intertidal zones, brackish estuaries and wetlands, and freshwater streams and ponds. On land, habitats include everything from sandy beaches and dunes to grasslands, scrub, and forests, to caves and high rocky spires.

  • Ochre stars on an intertidal rock
    Intertidal Ecosystems

    Bounded by high and low tides, the intertidal zone is rich in algae and invertebrates.

  • Rushing water in Olema Creek, illuminated by spots of sunlight
    Rivers & Streams

    In an arid, Mediterranean climate like that of the San Francisco Bay Area, rivers and streams provide corridors of precious water.

  • Wetland in Pinnacles National Park
    Wetlands & Estuaries

    Wetlands and estuaries provide some of the most fertile habitats on Earth.

Last updated: May 11, 2018

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