ABSTRACT
Large-Scale Water-Level Changes ..................................................... 52 2.8 Discussions and Conclusion ............................................................................54 Acknowledgments .................................................................................................... 57 References ................................................................................................................ 57
Coastal wetlands constitute important ecosystems in terms of fl ood control, water and nutrient storage, habitat for fi sh and wildlife reproduction and nursery activities, and overall support of the food chain [1]. Louisiana has one of the largest expanses of coastal wetlands in the conterminous United States, and these wetlands contain an extraordinary diversity of habitats. The unique habitats along the Gulf of Mexico, complex hydrological connections, and migratory routes of birds, fi sh, and other species place Louisiana’s coastal wetlands among the nation’s most productive and important natural assets [2].
