|
|
High elevation portions of salt marsh ecosystems are of concern for FWS, as essential habitat for species such as Saltmarsh Sparrow, and Black Rail. Under increasing rates of sea-level rise, widespread transition of high marsh habitat to low marsh is occurring. Maintenance of impounded wetland as habitat for an array of migratory birds is another critical priority. Impoundments, and their associated flooded freshwater habitat, are also threatened by sea-level rise and associated intrusion of saline water, forcing decisions regarding enhancements of dikes and other structures vs. restoration to natural salt marsh. Broadly, evaluations are needed to support decisions regarding the timeframe over which each impoundment...
|
The Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicensis) is the most secretive of the secretive marsh birds and one of the least understood bird species in North America. The Eastern Black Rail (L. j. jamaicensis) is listed as endangered in five states along the Atlantic Coast and is under review for federal listing. Historical population size was likely in the tens of thousands but is now believed to be in the hundreds or low thousands (Watts 2016). Within the United States, Eastern Black Rails breed within three general geographic areas within the United States - the Atlantic Coast, the Gulf Coast and the Midwest-Great Plains. The Atlantic Coast has generally been considered to support the largest breeding population throughout...
|
|
