In 1974 and 1975, 62 baseline locations were selected for intensive study in the salt marshes of Port Valdez and vicinity. The sites are intended to reflect the impact of oil transport activities. Vegetation and soil characteristics were emphasized. The sites were selected as representative of a wide variety of major communities and were widely distributed over the region to enhance the likelihood of oil spill documentation. Seventeen community complexes were identified and correspondence was found between the community complexes and habitat characteristics.
