Implications of Coastal Wetland Management to Nonbreeding Waterbirds in Texas

A review of methodologies and success indicators for coastal wetland restoration

“…The main process involved conceptual design, establishing hydrology, soil and vegetation (Broome and Craft, 2009). A coastal freshwater marsh was reported to be created through freshwater inflows and outflows (Fitzsimmons et al, 2012).…”

“…However, coastal wetlands are also severely threatened, and considered to be the ecosystem most sensitive to global sea-level rise (Morris et al, 2002;Wingard and Lorenz, 2014). Although the coastal zone only cover 4% of the earth total land area, this narrow region provides harbors for nearly one-third of the world's human population, and also provides critical habitat for organisms such as migratory waterbirds (MEA, 2005;Alfaro and Clara, 2007;Fitzsimmons et al, 2012). However, coastal wetlands have been suffering from serious degradation, alteration or loss due to intense anthropogenic activities (i.e., wetland reclamation, pollution and drainage) (Lemly et al, 2000;Newton et al, 2012;Cvetkovic and Chow-Fraser, 2011), and thus, coastal wetlands are listed amongst the most heavily damaged of natural ecosystems worldwide .…”

Estimating coastal wetland gain and losses in Galveston County and Cameron County, Texas, USA

“…In addition to the rising population, there have been several natural occurrences that could influence coastal wetlands gains and losses, including SLR, severe storms, hurricanes, and subsidence. Wetlands along the Texas coast continue to experience degradation, erosion, and loss, particularly from conversion to agriculture, rural and urban development, and human recreation (Fitzsimmons et al ).…”