be released and made available to the benthic community. Thus, it is easier 

 to visualize harmful impacts on the benthos than on the pelagical." 



There should be little or no movement of deposits of dredged material on 

 the deep ocean floor and likewise little effect on water circulation. However, 

 definitive research is lacking. 



Habitat Development 



Habitat development is a disposal method that has not attained its full 

 potential. Terrestrial, island, and marsh development techniques are moder- 

 ately well-developed, although only the latter is being practiced to any great 

 extent. Creation of aquatic habitat is possible but the technology has not 

 been developed. Figure 4 illustrates a conception of habitat development. 

 According to Smith (1978), factors to consider in evaluating the habitat de- 

 velopment alternatives include characteristics of the dredged material, site 

 selection, engineering, cost of alternatives, sociopolitical implications, and 

 environmental impact. For a philosophical discussion of the pros and cons of 

 habitat development from an ecological viewpoint see Lunz et al . (1978). At- 

 tention is given to the relationship of the habitat site to the total ecosys- 

 tem. 



Most of the following discussion is summarized from DMRP reports and the 

 reader is referred to the appropriate sources for more details. 



Terrestrial development . Terrestrial or nonwetland refers to mainland or 

 large island areas that, normally are not flooded and are characterized by up- 

 land vegetation or a mixture of upland and wetland plants. We are treating 

 islands separately even though most island habitat is terrestrial. 



Terrestrial vegetation of varying value to wildlife will naturally invade 

 both contained and uncontained disposal areas or it can be artificially devel- 

 oped and managed. Terrestrial habitat may vary widely and includes grasses, 

 weeds, shrubs, and trees. The value to wildlife will depend on site charac- 

 teristics (elevation and composition of the sediments) and the subsequent 

 vegetative cover. Invading plant species often consist of vegetation of low 

 value to wildl ife. 



Habitat can be developed to provide food and cover for mammals, birds, 

 reptiles, and amphibians, or resting, feeding, or nesting areas for waterfowl. 

 Small sites may be ideal for small animals, whereas larger areas may be man- 

 aged for waterfowl or deer. Animal diversity and abundance will depend on 

 accessibility of the site, suitability of feeding, cover, and breeding habi- 

 tat, and competitive pressures imposed on adjacent habitats (Coastal Zone 

 Resource Corporation 1976). Dames and Moore (1977) identified game and fur- 

 bearing animals which they felt could benefit most from habitat development on 

 upland disposal areas. 



Land managers must decide whether to develop and manage for optimum con- 

 ditions for only one or two species, or to manage for species diversity which 

 features favorable conditions for a number of species (Hunt et al . 1978a). 

 Local needs and constraints will help to determine the wildlife to be managed. 



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