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Biological Resources of the Louisiana Coast: Part 2. Coastal Animals and Habitat Associations
The productivity of biological resources in coastal Louisiana is at risk because of Gulf shoreline changes. Most estuarine species depend on Gulf shores and barrier islands for nesting, food, or shelter and will be directly affected by habitat loss. Others have complex indirect relationships with th...
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Published in: | Journal of coastal research 2005-04 (44), p.146-161 |
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Main Authors: | , , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | The productivity of biological resources in coastal Louisiana is at risk because of Gulf shoreline changes. Most estuarine species depend on Gulf shores and barrier islands for nesting, food, or shelter and will be directly affected by habitat loss. Others have complex indirect relationships with the shoreline ecosystem. Forecasting the degree of impact on all animals that are indirectly affected by shoreline change cannot be done with any degree of certainty. However, it is possible to evaluate and attempt to quantify the effects of changes in environmental factors that drive the distribution and abundance of commercial, keystone, and endangered species. Our objective was to provide an overview of habitat associations and environmental concerns for these significant animal species. For example, many important commercial species in Louisiana—such as blue crabs, Gulf menhaden, and various shrimp species—move among coastal habitats to complete parts of their life cycles. If the movement of these animals from the Gulf through tidal passes into estuarine nursery habitats is altered by shoreline changes, then populations of these species will be put at risk. Likewise, populations of keystone species, such as the common Rangia clam and the American oyster, will be affected if shoreline loss leads to changes in salinity conditions. Finally, most of Louisiana's threatened and endangered coastal species—such as sea turtles, brown pelicans, piping plovers, and Gulf sturgeon—rely on vulnerable barrier island habitats. Information on estuarine invertebrates, fishes, and other coastal animals is provided so that restoration of essential habitats can be incorporated into coastal management activities. |
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ISSN: | 0749-0208 1551-5036 |