1. pasture land for stock 



2. habitat for birds and other wildlife 



3. nursery grounds for commercial fish and shellfish 



4. recreational use, which is closely related to wildlife 

 management and fishery production in terms of sport 

 fishing and hunting 



5. component of waste treatment systems 



6. transportation 



7. petroleum production 



8. potential use for aquaculture development 



With regard to the use of coastal wetlands at a component level, the 

 major component of coastal wetlands is the vascular plants that form 

 the basic structure of the habitat, such as Spartina , Juncus , or 

 Phragmites . These vascular wetlands plants and/or by-products have been 

 harvested for a variety of uses: hut building, thatching, screens, 

 fencing, etc. Pulp and other cellulose derivatives are produced from 

 the common reed or roseau cane Phragmites communis . Investigations 

 on the pharmacological potential of plants are being made. Three chemical 

 aspects are being studied: (1) crude alkaloid content, (2) volatile 

 oils, and (3) anti-tumor agents. Wetland plants are also potential 

 sources of food for humans. 



The author states that whether coastal wetlands are used in their 

 natural condition or managed for other uses, the vital issue is wise 

 use of the areas, rather than exploitation, and regulated alterations 

 that will prevent permanent damage. (B.W.) 



Keywords: coastal zone, vascular plants, coastal marshes, conservation, 

 U.S. coastal regions 



I-A-13 



Teal, J., and M. Teal. 1969. Life and death of the salt marsh. Little, 

 Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 278 pp. 



This book presents an introduction to the study of marshes. It contains 

 three parts which deal with the formation of the marshes of the East 

 Coast; the ecology of salt marshes, including a chapter on marsh pro- 

 duction; and marsh conservation. 



Although the book is written in layman's terms, the detailed descriptions 

 that are used to portray specific elements of a marsh are well executed. 

 Part II, which focuses on the ecology of salt marshes, vividly describes 

 the principal elements of this system; i.e., the dominant Spartina , 

 marsh animals, and the various seasons associated with the marshland. 

 Subsequent portions of Part II attempt to place these elements in 

 proper context within the marsh ecosystem. Marsh productivity is 

 illustrated through a comparison of the vast yields of marsh vegetation 

 to the yields of productive acres under intense cultivation. 



