Waterfowl --primarily ducks and geese--represent both an aesthetic 

 and a recreation industry resource. Most species do not appear to be 

 particularly dependent on any aspect of the estuarine zone, as they 

 are able to use freshwater marshes, lakes, and ponds with equal ease, 



"Exotic" shore and sea birds are discussed, with emphasis on peli- 

 cans, cormorants, eagles, ospreys, and waders. Many naturalists 

 believe that few of these species are in danger of extinction, and 

 respectable numbers of most species can be maintained by wise 

 planning in the estuarine zones. 



The author concludes that the monetary value of estuarine uses that 

 conflict with wildlife will rise, intensifying the existing conflict. 

 However, since the wildlife appears sufficiently adaptable, some com- 

 promise and considerable planning can preserve the major wildlife popu- 

 lations and serve the critical needs of the United States society. 

 (H.D.) 



Keywords: wildlife, fur-bearing animals, waterfowl, shore birds, 

 planning and management, U.S. general 



V-A-11 



Mall, R., and G. Rollins. 1972. Wildlife resource requirements, waterfowl 

 and the Suisun Marsh. Pages 60-68 i£ J.E. Skinner (compiler). 

 Ecological studies of the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary. California 

 Department of Fish and Game, Delta Fish and Wildlife Protection 

 Study Report No. 8. 



The Suisun Marsh, consisting of approximately 55,000 acres of marsh 

 land and 30,000 acres of bays and sloughs, plays an important role 

 in providing wintering habitat for waterfowl of the Pacific Flyway. 

 Aside from its importance to wintering populations, the marsh provides 

 critical habitat for many other wildlife forms, including the bald 

 eagle, peregrine falcon, California clapper rail, white-tailed kite, 

 black rail, salt-marsh harvest mouse, and Suisun shrew. The existence 

 of this wide variety of wildlife is possible because of: (1) The rela- 

 tively large expanse of unbroken native habitat and (2) the diversity 

 of vegetation and aquatic conditions that prevail in the marsh. 



Studies have shown that seeds from two plant species in particular 

 provide the bulk of the winter food supply. These are alkali bulrush 

 and brass buttons. However, some plant species are more abundant but 

 provide little in the way of food. These include pickleweed, salt- 

 grass, and cattail . (B.W.) 



Keywords: wildlife, habitats, waterfowl, saltmarsh plants, California 



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