IV-530 



The primary fur bearers are the fur seal in Alaska, nutria in the 

 South Atlantic and Gulf States, the common eastern muskrat in 

 New Jersey, the Virginia muskrat in the Central Atlantic States, 

 and the Louisiana muskrat in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, 

 and Texas. Secondary in importance are the raccoon, mink, and otter. 



The dependence of waterfowl on the estuarine zone is both complex 

 and incompletely understood. The primary sport species, such as 

 mallards and canvasbacks, have been successfully adapted to man- 

 made changes in their environment, particularly those changes not 

 affecting the nesting sites. 



The ornamental shore and sea birds are a particularly aesthetic 

 attraction among the national fauna. These birds are generally 

 more dependent upon estuarine conditions than the more mobile 

 waterfowl and, in addition, have demonstrated a considerably greater 

 sensitivity to the overall encroachment of man. These birds 

 include whooping cranes, pelicans, bald eagles, egrets, ibis, and 

 many others. 



GOVERNING SUBDIVISIONS OF THE BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 



Solar energy and gravitational energy are the basis for everything 

 that happens naturally in the estuarine zone. This discussion of 

 the biophysical environment has been concerned primarily with the 

 environmental conditions surrounding the transformation of these 



