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The Ecology of Barataria Basin, Louisiana: an Estuarine Profile

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The Ecology of Barataria Basin, Louisiana: an Estuarine Profile Clemson University TigerPrints Publications Plant and Environmental Sciences 1987 The cologE y of Barataria Basin, Louisiana: An Estuarine Profile William Conner Clemson University, [email protected] John W. Day Louisiana State University Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/ag_pubs Part of the Forest Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Please use publisher's recommended citation. This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Plant and Environmental Sciences at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in Publications by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Biological Report 85(7.13 ) July 1987 THE ECOLOGY OF BARATARIA BASIN, LOUISIANA: AN ESTUARINE PROFILE edited by William H. Conner and John W. Day, Jr. Coastal Ecology Institute Center for Wetland Resources Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Project Officer Edward C. Pendleton National Wetlands Research Center U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1010 Gause Boulevard Slidell, LA 70458 Performed for NationalWetlands Research Center U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of the Interior Washington, DC 20240 DISCLAIMER The opinions and recommendations expressed in this report are those of the authon and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, nor does the mention of trade names constiiute endorsement or recommendationfor use by the Federal Government. Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data The Ecology of Barataria Basin, Louisiana. (Biological report ; 85 (7.13)) Bib1 iography : p. "July 1987." 1. Estuarine ecol ogy--Louisiana--Barataria Bay. I. Conner, William H. 11. Day, John W. 111. Pendleton, Edward C. IV. National Wetlands Research Center (U.S. ) V. Series: Biological report (Washington, D.C. ) ; 85-7.13. 5. L8E26 1987 574.5 ' 26365 87- 18475 ay, Jr., eds. 1987. The ecology of Barataria Basin, Louisiana: Biol. Rep. 85 (7.1 3). 165 pp. PREFACE This estuarine profile is one of a series of publications concerning estuarine areas of the United States. The purpose of this profile is to synthesize existing information on the Barataria Basin, Louisiana. The basin is one of the interdistributary sub-estuaries of the Mississippi deltaic plain. Habitats in the basin vary from swamp forest to marine open water. Scientific study of the basin is important for a number of reasons. The area supports a variety of habitats and is very productive. Studies of such an area lead to a better understanding of the ecological functioning of large scale ecosystems. The area is economically valuable. Important activities include commercial and recreational fishing, hunting, trapping, and forestry. Information is needed to properly manage and sustain these resources. Finally, there are a number of serious environmental problems in the area. These include wetland deterioration, saltwater intrusion, eutrophication, and toxins. Scientific information can lead to an understanding of both the causes and solutions of these problems. Ecosystem studies began in the basin in the late 1960's with studies in the saline marshes and water bodies of the lower basin. With a growing realization that the basin was, in a sense, a single ecological system, study was initiated in other parts of the basin. Studies were initiated in the freshwater forested wetlands in the headwaters of the basin and later in fresh and brackish marsh areas in the central part of the basin. Results of these studies showed that human activity was a dominant force shaping ecological processes. Thus, study began to address human impacts directly and much of the research today is directed at management. The authorship of the various chapters is suggestive of the integrated approach which has characterizedstudy of the basin. Any questions or comments about or requests for this publication should be directed to: InformationTransfer Specialist National Wetlands Research Center U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service NASA - Slidell Computer Complex 101 0 Gause Boulevard Slideli, LA 70458. iii CONTENTS PREFACE ......................... iii FIGURES ......................... viii TABLES ......................... xi CONVERSION TABLE ..................... xiii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................... xiv LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS .................... XV KEY TO TERMS AND SYMBOLS USED ............... xvi CHAPTER 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN by W.H. Conner and J.W. Day. Jr ................... 1.1 Introduction and Physical Setting.............. 1.2 Human Settlement and Impact on the Basin . ......... 1.3 Hydrology ..................... 1.4 Biological Zones ................... 1.4.1 Levee and Developed Land ............. 1.4.2 Swamp Forest .................. 1.4.3 Fresh Marsh .................. 1.4.4 Brackish Marsh ................. 1.4.5 Salt Marsh ................... 1.4.6 Offshore.................... CHAPTER 2. PHYSICAL VARIABLES by R.H. Baumann .......... 8 2.1 Introduction .................... 2.2. Climate ...................... 2.3 Water Level Variations ................. 2.3.1 Tides .................... a. Biweekly Tidal Range Cycle ............ b. Seasonal Tidal Range Cycle ............ c. The 18.6.Y ear Tidal Range Cycle ........... 2.3.2 NontidalWater Level Variations ............ 2.3.3 Short-Term Impact of Weather Events . ......... 2.3.4 Seasonal Water Level Variation ............ 2.3.5 Seasonal Inundation of Estuarine Wetlands . ....... 2.3.6 Seasonal Salinity ................. 2.3.7 Long-TermWater Level Variation ........... n .................... bations ................. D NUTRIENT DYNAMICS nd R.D. DeLaune . ........... 3.1 Introduction .................... 18 3.2 Upper Basin Nutrient Profile and Trophic State ...19 3.2.1 Drainage Density and Trophic State ........... 20 3.2.2 Nutrient Uptake. Productivity. and Export ......... 22 3.3 Middle Basin Nutrients ................ 23 3.4 Lower Basin Nutrient Dynamics ............. 26 3.5 Summary ..................... 30 CHAPTER 4 . VEGETATION: COMPOSITION AND PRODUCTION by W.H. Conner. J.W. Day. Jr., J.G. Gosselink. C.S. Hopkinson. Jr.. and W.C. Stowe ........... 31 4.1 lntroduction ....... 4.2 Aquatic Primary Production . 4.2.1 Lacdes Allemands ... 4.2.2 Central Basin ..... 4.2.3 Nearshore Gulf .... 4.3 Wetlands of The Barataria Basin . 4.3.1 Swamp Forest ..... 4.3.2 Fresh Marsh .. 4.3.3 Brackish Marsh .... 4.3.4 Salt Marsh ...... 4.4 Wetland Productivity ..... 4.4.1 Swamp Forest ... 4.4.2 Marshes ... 4.5 Factors Affecting Marsh Productivity 4.6 Salt Marsh Epiphytic Algae ... CHAPTER 5 . ZOOPLANKTON by W.H. Conner and J.W. Day. Jr ....48 5.1 lntroduction .................... 5.2 Species Composition and Distribution . ........... 5.2.1 Freshwater .................. 5.2.2 Brackish Waters ................. 5.2.3 Inshore Salt Waters ................ 5.2.4 Coastal Waters .................. 5.3 Temporal Variability .................. 5.4 Factors Affecting Zooplankton Densities ........... 5.4.1 Biological Factors ................. 5.4.2 Physical Factors ................. 5.5 Food Habits .................... CHAPTER 6 . BENTHOS by W.B. Sikora and F.H. Sklar .. 6.1 Benthic Swamp Communities ............... 6.1.1 Introduction . ................. 6.1.2 Distribution and Abundance ............. 6.1.3 Seasonality of Swamp Benthos . ........... 6.1.4 Factors Affecting Swamp Benthos ........... 6.1.5 Trophic and Ecological Relationships . ......... 6.2 Benthic Estuarine and Marine Communities . ......... 6.2.1 Introduction . ................. 6.2.2 Physical Factors ................. 69 6.2.3 Open Water Habitats ............... 69 6.2.4 Seasonal Patterns of Abundance .......... 72 6.2.5 C~stacea ............. 73 6.2.6 Meiofauna ................... 75 6.2.7 Oyster Community ................ 75 6.2.8 Discussion ................... 77 CHAPTER 7 . NEKTON by B.A. Thompson and W. Forman ......... 80 7.1 Introduction .................... 80 7.2 Finfish ................. 86 7.2.1 Composition .................. 86 7.2.2 Temporal Patterns ........... 89 7.3 Invertebrates ................. 90 7.4 Community Dynamics ........... 92 7.4.1 Physical Factors ................. 92 7.4.2 Environmental Factors ......... 93 a . Abiotic Factors ............. 93 b. Biotic Factors ................. 93 7.5 NeMonic Resources and Human Influence . ......... 94 7.5.1 Sport. Recreational. and Commercial Fisheries ....... 94 7.5.2 Human Influence ............ 94 a. Water Quality ............ 94 b. Industrialization ......... 94 c . Erosion and Wetland Loss ....... 94 d. By-Catch ................ 95 CHAPTER 8 . WILDLIFE by R.K. Abernethy ......... 96 8.1 Introduction .................... 96 8.2 Birds ....................... 96 8.2.1 Distribution .................. 96 8.2.2 Seasonal Abundance ............ 98 8.2.3 Food Habits .................. 919 8.3 Mammals ..................... 100 8.3.1 Distribution .................. 100 8.3.2 Seasonal Abundance ............... 102 8.3.3 Food Habits .................. 102 8.3.4 Populations . ................. 103 8.4 Reptiles and Amphibians ................ 103 8.4.1 Distribution .................. 103 8.4.2 Food Habits .................. 108 ................ 106 ................. 107 ................ 107 e ................... 108 's Warbler (mivora&hmani'I) ......... 108 Falcon (Falco ~erearinus) . ......... 108 les .................. 108 ................. 108 CHAPTER 9 . REVIEW OF MODELING STUDIES IN THE . BARATARIA BASIN by R . Costanza ............ 110 9.1 Introduction .................... 110 9.2 Hydrodynamic Models ................
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