TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Page 



I. THE MARSH ENVIRONMENT 



A. Marshes and Related Ecosystems 1 



B. Marsh Vegetation 11 



C. Marsh and Estuarine Conferences 15 



D. Comprehensive Area and Site Studies 18 



II. PRIMARY PRODUCTIVITY OF COASTAL MARSH PLANTS 



A. Productivity of Coastal Environments 27 



B. Marsh Grass Productivity Studies 33 



C. Algae and Phytoplankton Productivity Studies 65 



D. Mangrove, Coastal Swamp, and Seagrass 



Productivity Studies 76 



E. Growth Factors, Nutritive Value, and Weight 80 



III. DETRITUS IN THE FOOD CHAIN 



A. Theoretical Perspectives 89 



B. Detritus Production 98 



C. Decomposition and Nutritive Value Changes 102 



D. Suspended and Transported Nutrients 109 



E. Detritus Feeders 120 



F. Nutrient Turnover 140 



IV. MARSH ESTUARIES AS FISH HAVENS 



A. Estuarine Ecosystems 145 



B. Estuarine Fauna 150 



C. Area Studies 154 



D. Site Studies 160 



E. Species Studies 177 



F. Seagrass Fauna Studies 198 



V. MARSH AS HABITAT AND FEEDING GROUNDS 



A. Marsh Populations 203 



B. Birds 214 



XV 



