Growth experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions 

 using sand culture techniques. Salinity reduced the growth of all 

 species tested. Scirpus olneyi and Scirpus robustus exhibited high 

 growth rates at low salinity levels but growth was severely restricted 

 at salinities over 20 ppt NaCl . Growth rates of Distichlis spicata 

 and Spartina patens were slower at low salinities but were less 

 affected by higher levels. Regression equations were used to describe 

 the effect of salinity on plant growth. (A. A. and G.S.) 



Keywords: coastal marshes, fish, wildlife food plants, tidal ponds 

 and lakes, marsh grasses, Louisiana 



V-A-6 



McGinnis, J.T., R.A. Ewing, C.A. Willingham, S.E. Rogers, D.H. Douglass, 

 and D.L. Morrison. 1973. Final report on environmental aspects of 

 gas pipeline operations in the Louisiana coastal marshes to the 

 Offshore Pipeline Committee. Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, 

 Ohio. 95 pp. 



This environmental impact statement contains an excellent brief 

 review of the vegetation and associated fauna of the Louisiana coastal 

 parishes. A bibliography is included. (J.B.) 



Keywords: environmental change, coastal marshes, Louisiana 



V-A-7 



Chabreck, R.H. 1968. The relation of cattle and cattle grazing to 

 marsh wildlife and plants in Louisiana. Proceedings of the twenty- 

 second annual conference of the Southeastern Association of Game and 

 Fish Commissioners, pp. 55-68. 



The firm marsh soils along the southwestern Louisiana coast are very 

 fertile and support dense growths of vegetation, and as such serve as 

 ideal cattle range. Also, the long growing season provides year-round 

 grazing and frequently range cattle can maintain their weight even 

 during winter months. However, these marshes are also very productive 

 for various wildlife species such as migratory waterfowl, rails and 

 snipe ( Capella gallinago ) , plus numerous fur-bearing animals. 



This area each year winters over 2 million ducks or 30 percent of 

 the ducks in the Mississippi Flyway. In addition some 300,000 blue 

 and snow geese winter in this area plus untold number of snipe, coots 

 ( Fulica americana) and rails. The fur harvest has declined in recent 

 years, but is still valued at over $1 million. 



207 



