Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Louisiana
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Marshes maintain elevation when accretion rates exceed decomposition and subsidence processes. Marsh management practices, such as drawdowns and fire, can accelerate decomposition of organic soils and lead to elevation loss. In this study, we will determine long-term accretion rates in managed and unmanaged coastal marshes in southwestern Louisiana. Companion and future studies will quantify the specific effects of selected marsh management practices on accretion and decomposition rates. Our goal is to identify long-term marsh management approaches that allow or accelerate marsh vertical accretion while also providing desired wildlife benefits.