Limitations 



Two potential limitations in this research should be mentioned. One is whether the program 

 can continue after funding for 2 years and the other is a question of timing. 



There is growing awareness of the value of long-term study sites in environmental work (Ehrlich 

 1979; Callahan 1984). However, the design, funding, and study of long-term study sites offer 

 several special problems to the researcher. Strayer (1986) identified several qualities which made 

 such programs likely to succeed: having dedicated leadership (including lead and core scientists), 

 a unique site offering special advantages, and diverse approaches. We think that the combination 

 of growing interest in addressing wetland loss and in the proven interest of the university research 

 community will overcome these barriers. But to do so also requires the cooperation of State and 

 Federal agencies. We want to make it clear that if these larger impoundments are built (1) the 

 university research community is ready to use them cooperatively and in partnership with non- 

 university agencies, and, (2) they will not fail for lack of commitment on our part. 



Advisory Board 



An advisory board is being formed composed of field-oriented agency personnel, landowners, 

 and scientists to review the project results once the large impoundments are constructed and basic 

 field situations are completed (at least by the end of year 1). The board will disseminate 

 information, expand contacts for funding, stimulate critical thinking in the experimental design as 

 appropriate for this management-oriented project, and encourage rationale evaluation of various 

 marsh management alternatives. 



REFERENCES 



Adkins, G., and P. Bowman. 1976. A study of the fauna of dredged canals of coastal Louisiana. 

 La. Wildl. Fish. Comm. Tech. Bull. 18. 72 pp. 



Allen, K.O, and J.W. Hardy. 1980. Influence of navigational dredging on fish and wildlife: a 

 literature review. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol. Serv. Program FWS/OBS-80/07. 81 pp. 



Baumann, R.H. 1980. Mechanisms of maintaining marsh elevation in a subsiding environment. 

 M.S. Thesis. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. 90 pp. 



Callahan, J.T. 1984. Long-term ecological research. BioScience 34:849-872. 



Cowan, J.H., Jr., R.E. Turner, and D.R. Cahoon. 1988. Marsh management plans in practice: 

 do they work in coastal Louisiana? Environ. Manage. 12:37-53. 



Craig, N.J., R.E. Turner, and J.W. Day, Jr. 1980. Land loss in the Mississippi River deltaic plain. 

 Z. Geomorph. N.F. 34:225-241. 



DeLaune, R.D., W.H. Patrick, Jr., and J.M. Brannon. 1976. Nutrient transformations in Louisiana 

 salt marsh soil. Louisiana State University, Center for Wetland Resources, Sea Grant Publication 

 No. LSU-T-76-009. 



Ehrlich, P.R. 1979. The butterflies of Jasper Ridge. Co-Evolution Q., Summer 1979:50-55. 



Howes, B.L., R.W. Howarth, J.M. Teal, and I. Valiela. 1981. Oxidation-reduction potentials in 

 a salt marsh: spatial patterns and interactions with primary production. Limnol. Oceanogr. 

 26:350-360. 



Gambrell, R.P., and W.H. Patrick, Jr. 1978. Chemical and microbiological properties of anerobic 

 soils and sediments. Pages 375-423 in D.D. Hook and R.M.M. Crawford eds. Plant life in 

 anaerobic environments. Ann Arbor, MI. 



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