4o2 What is the capacity of the region's wildlife resources to satisfy the 

 public demand? 



Present environmental conditionso The wetlands complex of Long 

 Island Sound, consisting of salt marsh, estuaries, mud flats, bays, coves, and 

 sand dunes, supports over 150 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphib- 

 ians (JA) (12) o The wetland value to wildlife is based on the carbon cycle 

 associated with wetland plant life. The single most important element in 

 the complex is the salt marsh, and the most important plant species are the 

 Spartina grasseso Spartina grasses (particularly Spartina alternif lora ) provide 

 the detritus upon which the wetland complex and its value to ivTildlife is basedo 

 Marsh detritus is the principle link between bacteria, algae and other marine 

 plants, and the remaining wetland community. It is this complicated but finely 

 balanced production system that makes the wetland complex so valuable as 

 wildlife habitat. 



The absolute value of Long Island Sound wetlands to wildlife is 

 difficult to assess. Economic benefits associated with draining or filling a 

 marsh for housing or industrial purposes are easy enough to measure, but value 

 in terms of habitat and aesthetics is not so easily quantifiedo The most seri- 

 ous threat to the remaining Long Island Sound wetlands is the various activities 

 associated with population increases and attendant housing needso By 1990 about 

 550,000 new dwellings, replacement of 30,000 obsolete dwellings, and at least 

 400,000 new jobs will be required in Nassau and Suffolk Counties -- based on 

 population projections and present housing needs ( 1^) » Space requirements for 

 the increased work force are estimated at 8,250 acres. The projected housing 

 requirements associated with increased populations in Connecticut indicate a 

 need for an additional 130,000 new homes in the LISS region (24) o Draining and 

 filling wetlands for housing, recreational facilities, and other purposes (sand 

 and gravel mining, boating access, shore and harbor protection projects, etCo) 

 often become self-defeating in that the natural setting which attracted devel- 

 opment is often destroyed in the development process. Clearly, the long-term 

 benefits of the Sound wetlands must be considered if we are to preserve their 

 natural value. 



Wildlife supplvo Despite reduced wetland areas, Connecticut and 

 Long Island share an abundance of varied wildlife forms. Each is particularly 

 rich in species of waterfowl, shore birds, marsh birds, and upland birds. 

 Among the more commonly observed waterfowl are mallards, black ducks, scaup, 

 and scoter (_11) . Plovers, snipe, terns, crows, warblers, and robins also fre- 

 quent the area. Starlings and house sparrows are extremely abundant. Large 

 birds of prey fairly common to the Sound region include six owl species and 

 two hawk species. Long Island and Connecticut also provide habitat for a 

 variety of salamanders, snakes, turtles, frogs and toads. Also prevalent are 

 the opossum, woodchuck, gray squirrel, muskrat, and a variety of shrews, bats, 

 and mice. Typical upland game species include ruffed grouse, cottontail, quail, 

 dove, and deer. In addition to land animals, the Sound hosts a number of 

 marine animals: the bottle-nosed dolphin, common dolphin, and harbor porpoise 

 are sighted occasionally in and around the Sound. A list of all the wildlife 

 species including their habitat preferences, food and nesting requirements, 

 location and status within the study area, and an evaluation of their dependence 

 on wetland areas is contained in a supplementary study report (12) . 



32 



