Delicate flowers are common within Louisiana coastal marshes.

Deer pea is a common marsh plant that plays an important role in nitrogen cycling.

Large pink and white flowers are marsh mallows, a wild relative of hibiscus. Roots were once used to make marshmallows.

Marsh land that has been converted to pasture by cutting canals, building levees , and pumping out water. Exposure to air caused oxidation of organic matter in soil which led to rapid subsidence.

Canal used to drain property to convert and maintain former marsh land to pasture.

Hunting and fishing camp built on stilts - accessible only by boat although power lines have been run across the marsh.

Hunting and fishing camp built on stilts - accessible only by boat although power lines have been run across the marsh.

Marsh area with willow trees adjacent to lower Atchafalaya River

Submerged aquatic vegetation along the lower Atchafalaya. Whole trees frequently wash down the river at flood stage.

Mississippi River levee with river water coming through and flowing to a marsh east of the river. Flooding usually occurs every spring.

Tanker traffic on the Mississippi River during spring flooding. Mississippi River levee with river water coming through and flowing to a marsh east of the river. Flooding usually occurs every spring.

Mississippi River during moderate spring flooding

Controlled burn to enhance following year's growth of marsh vegetation

Controlled burn to enhance following year's growth of marsh vegetation

Mississippi River levee viewed from river

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources scientist observing crab catch.

Wetland scientists evaluating potential marsh restoration project.

Fresh water marsh adjacent to Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Note push boat and barge in background.

Cut through Mississippi River levee to allow fresh water to flow into adjacent cypress swamp.

Boats moving through coastal bayou lined with Phragmites, commonly called roseau cane.

Live oak with spanish moss, a type of bromeliad related to pineapples along a canal south of New Orleans.

Seaplane taking off from the Tchefunte River to East Timbalier Island area.

Viewing man-made canals in the marsh as seen on a foggy morning. Canals can disrupt water circulation in marsh systems.

Cypress marsh at the edge of Lake Ponchartrain as seen from the air.

Bayou Lafourche was the main channel of the Mississippi River a few thousand years ago. As river bed fills, the river changes course seeking a steeper slope to the sea. If allowed to follow its natural cycle, the Mississippi River would be in the process of changing its course into the bed of the Atchafalaya River.

Cypress marsh at the edge of Lake Ponchartrain as seen from the air.

Aerial view of marsh land.

Homes and businesses built along the levee ridge of Bayou Lafourche.

Burning off marsh south of New Orleans to improve next year's growth. Numerous canals are in this area for oil and gas exploration.

Subsiding marsh and man-made canals south of New Orleans. Canals can disrupt water circulation in marsh systems.

Islands north of East Timbalier Island

A view of the wetlands adjacent to Barataria Bay south of New Orleans

Light-colored area is dredge material deposited during maintenance of channels in Mississippi Delta.

Sand bar adjacent to Pass a Loutre. Possible sediment source for restoration projects. Bar features are natural.

Aerial view of Pass a Loutre

Aerial view of interior Mississippi Delta marshes

Aerial view of Mississippi Delta wetlands adjacent to Pass a Loutre

Aerial view of Mississippi Delta wetlands adjacent to Pass a Loutre

Aerial view of Mississippi Delta wetlands adjacent to Pass a Loutre

Eroding marsh peninsula between Bayous Perot and Rigolettes

Eroding marsh peninsula between Bayous Perot and Rigolettes

Aerial view of Mississippi Delta wetlands adjacent to Pass a Loutre

Dixon Bay well site - seen of a blow out and oil spill as seen from the air

Aerial view of freshwater wetlands. Freshwater wetlands support a higher diversity of plants than do salt marshes.

Dixon Bay well site being capped after blowout and oil spill

Oiled Spartina following oil spill

Cleanup of a sandy spit adjacent to Southwest Pass levee following oil spill. This area is used extensively as cattle pasture despite its inaccessibility from land. Cattle are brought in by barge.

Freshwater vegetation on the Chenier Plain not far from Sabine River and Texas border.

Federal and state scientists evaluating potential restoration project on the Chenier Plain not far from Sabine River and Texas border.

Bridge and water control structure in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.