V. MARSH AS HABITAT AND FEEDING GROUNDS 

 A. Marsh Populations 



V-A-1 



Shanholtzer, G.F. 1974. Relationship of vertebrates to salt marsh plants. 



Pages 463-474 j_n R. J. Reimold and W. H. Queen, eds.. Ecology of 



halophytes. Academic Press, New York. 



Significant salt marsh plant-vertebrate relationships exist in areas 

 subject to tidal -saline waters. Their associations assume both direct 

 and indirect dimensions. Results of direct plant-vertebrate associations 

 tend to be more immediate in their expression than do indirect rela- 

 tionships. It is the intent of this paper to describe and evaluate 

 these relationships. 



Direct relationships involve spatial and physical utilization of 

 salt marsh plants by vertebrates. Spatial utilization patterns are 

 derived from the territory, home range, and behavior of vertebrate 

 species using the halophyte dominated marsh environment and the structure 

 of the plants themselves. 



Marsh vegetation provides a habitat and a structural foundation for 

 the feeding, reproductive, and roosting activities of many vertebrates. 

 In addition, plant cover provides a moderate thermal environment and 

 refuge from predation. Thermal considerations are important during 

 periods of avian incubation when excessive solar radiation can damage 

 eggs and young. 



Halophytes are used by vertebrates for nutritive and non-nutritive 

 purposes. Consumption for nutritive purposes involves mainly granivorous 

 and whole plant grazing. With the pjoduction of seeds, some birds and 

 possibly the rice rat develop a granivorous mode of feeding. Seaside 

 sparrows, sharp-tailed sparrows, and red-winged blackbirds are some 

 species that utilize this source of protein and energy. 



Relatively little marsh grass is grazed while in the living state, and 

 most of that is probably harvested by insects. Deer, marsh rabbits, 

 and rodents are a few vertebrate herbivores that enter the marsh for 

 feeding. Most of these species restrict their activities to high 

 marsh zones. (J.B.) 



Keywords: vertebrates, salt marsh plants, halophytes, plant- 

 vertebrate relationships 



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