ABSTRACT
A community or multi-species approach to wetland management may more likely satisfy the aims of the various interest groups. This chapter discusses an approach to wetland management and shows that techniques which simulate natural events can be employed to simultaneously satisfy many of the interests of these various groups. It emphasizes the dynamic and often cyclical nature of marshes as it pertains to management for wildlife. The flora and fauna of wetlands have been subjected to the natural fluctuations and perturbations over evolutionary time. Therefore, it seems likely that management procedures that closely mimic these natural events will result in typical marsh communities. The chapter argues that a community/multi-species approach to marsh management will both minimize conflicts between interest groups and maximize benefits for most plants and animals. Natural techniques are particularly appropriate for this community approach to management.
