CONCLUSION 



Salinities and physical action of water are critical factors for marsh plant survival and diversity. 

 These factors influence soil stability which in turn may lead to an increase or decrease in marsh 

 productivity (i.e., waterfowl, estuarine species, furbearers, alligators, and cattle). To encourage 

 vegetation diversity and production, waterflow and exchange from Calcasieu Lake will be kept at 

 a minimum for a maximum amount of time. To encourage estuarine organism diversity and 

 production, this same waterflow will be maximized for a minimum, opportune time frame. This 

 requires intensive weir management to optimize water flow capabilities. 



The most difficult and time consuming aspect of managing this area will be adjusting 

 management schemes to fit the parameters of nature. Management of this area must have flexible 

 long term goals with the idea of holistic management. One objective reached may mean the partial 

 loss of another. Management at the present time is projected toward the next 20 years, but should 

 probably be directed well into the 21st century. Management schemes must maintain the horizon 

 in sight and yet not be myopic in thought. 



Management Implications 



1. Lack of tidal flow may cause a decrease in productivity of migrating estuarine organisms, 

 loss of sediment loads for plant nutrition and production, and salt burns on marsh 

 vegetation. 



2. Loss of vegetation will increase marsh soil erosion, and fetch will continue to abet 

 marsh soil erosion. 



3. Lack of freshwater introduction and coinciding evapotranspiration rates may allow soil 

 salinities to remain at toxic levels. 



Future Research 



Evapotranspiration, salinity, tidal data, and marsh soil redox potentials will be collected and 

 analyzed by Sabine NWR Wildlife personnel. Continuing research in streamside sedimentation rate 

 will be continued by D.R. Cahoon, R.D. DeLaune, and R.M. Knaus. If funding permits, J.M. Hill 

 and S.C. Leibowitz will continue to monitor land loss and gain trends. Vegetative censuses will be 

 conducted by the Soil Conservation Service and Sabine NWR personnel. 



In order to manage the weirs for optimum waterflow capabilities, the hydrology of the East 

 Cove marsh with respect to weir application needs to be determined. 



ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 



This marsh system could continue to degrade if prevalent land loss processes are allowed to 

 continue unchecked. Therefore, I appreciate and recognize those individuals and organizations 

 whose efforts have prevailed since 1961 in the implementation of the Cameron/Creole Watershed 

 Management Plan. 



I would also like to thank Rita Walther for her editing assistance, Sabine Refuge personnel for 

 their aid and assistance, and the resource by which I gain my energy, the marsh. 



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