The Calcasieu Ship Channel provides an avenue for the rapid movement of high-salinity water into the East Mud Lake project area of southern Louisiana resulting in plant death and marsh loss. Following construction of water control structures at East Mud Lake designed to stabilize salinity and water levels and ensure movement of commercial species into and out of the project area, densities of nekton and the extent of vegetative cover were assessed and compared for project and reference sites to estimate the impact of construction on wetland habitats.

Between May 5, 1993 and September 19, 1994, we collected quantitative 1-m2 area drop samples and measured a variety of habitat attributes using field surveys and aerial photography to characterize three existing marshes (Atkinson Island, Hog Island, and Cedar Point) in Galveston Bay. We also compared nekton densities among different types of intertidal and shallow subtidal habitats (pond, channel, cove, open bay, and four marsh types). The vegetated surface consistently contained more species and dominant species exhibited at least some degree of habitat selection. To maximize fishery habitat, we recommend placing greater emphasis on constructing low marsh edge habitat by creating large areas of Spartina alterniflora and Scirpus maritimus marsh interspersed with a dense network of shallow channels and interconnected ponds.

Sampled marshes and ponds along two transects within the intermediate and brackish marsh zones of Breton Sound, Louisiana, from May 7-11, 2001. Sampling followed several planned releases of freshwater from the Caernarvon diversion structure during the winter of 2000 and spring of 2001 as part of a larger study to examine the ecological effect of pulsed freshwater releases on the ecosystem.

Terracing uses existing bottom sediments to form terraces or ridges at marsh elevation and the intertidal zone is planted with marsh vegetation. This study examined the habitat value of terracing at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana in the spring and fall of 1999 by quantifying and comparing nekton densities in a 9-yr old terrace field and nearby reference area using a 1 m2 drop sampler. Using density and biomass patterns and the percentage of marsh and pond area in the terrace field, we concluded that terrace fields support higher standing crops of most fishery species compared with shallow marsh ponds of similar size. Future restoration projects could include design changes to increase the proportion of marsh in a terrace field and enhance the habitat value of marsh terraces for fishery species.

Samples were collected from October 15, 1985 through June 12, 1987 in emergent marsh and non-vegetated habitats throughout the Lavaca Bay system to characterize usage of saline coastal and brackish deltaic habitats by estuarine aquatic species. Results suggest that short term lowering of salinity does not deter estuarine organisms from using deltaic marshes, but rather long term habitat changes may cause these responses

Study compared densities of nekton, benthos, and seagrass among newly deposited dredged sediments and nearby and distant natural seagrass sites over a three year period. Recovery of seagrass and nekton communities from dredged material placement was predicted to take from 4-8 years.

Patterns of habitat utilization were compared among transplanted and natural Spartina alterniflora marshes in the Halls Lake area of Chocolate Bay in the Galveston Bay estuary, and East Matagorda and Corpus Christi Bay systems along the lower Texas coast to test the null hypothesis that transplanted marshes along the Texas coast were equivalent to natural marshes.

Compared nekton densities among 5 natural and 10 created salt marsh sites to test whether these marsh types were functionally equivalent. Created marshes ranged from 3-yrs to 15-yrs old. Natural and created marshes did not differ in species richness. Marsh elevation and tidal flooding are a key characteristic affecting use by nekton and should be considered in marsh construction projects.

During May 1987, and May-June and September 1988, a total of 80 inner and outer marsh samples were collected in the Alligator Point salt marsh of Chocolate Bay within the Galveston Bay estuary system of Texas. The objective was to examine the relationship between marsh edge and nekton use in a planted Spartina marsh. Overall, the study indicates that habitat value of created salt marshes can be enhanced by incorporating tidal creeks into the marsh design.