Tidal mudflats

View across marsh of a small fishing village on Route 80

A scene along the Mississippi River

Live oak above canal along lower Mississippi River just above the delta

Submerged aquatic vegetation within a pond in the Mississippi Delta

Submerged aquatic vegetation within a pond in the Mississippi Delta

Water hyacinth, an exotic, filling a canal. Water hyacinth stops boat traffic and interferes with circulation of water.

Lotus plants differ from water lilies in the shape of the leaves and the seed pods.

Submerged aquatic vegetation within a pond in the Mississippi Delta

Fringing marsh along a small bay outside west levee of lower Mississippi River.

Fringing marsh along a small bay outside west levee of lower Mississippi River.

Broken marsh in Barataria Basin just west of the levee

Broken marsh in Barataria Basin just west of the levee

Broken marsh in Barataria Basin just west of the levee

Marsh surrounding tree-covered hummock

Marshland

Marsh along a pond

Man-made canal with eroding bank. The cutting of canals often changes the water circulation in marsh systems and can lead to their decline.

View from delta splay along Southwest Pass towards islands composed of Phragmites, an exotic species commonly called roseau cane.

Boomed marshes containing oil spill

Aerial photo of eroding marsh and oil from recent well blowout

Oiled Spartina - a cordgrass common in coastal marshes

Close-up of oiled Spartina - a cordgrass common in coastal marshes

Natural marsh area primarily Spartina. Critical habitat for shrimp, crabs, and many game and commercial fish species.

Natural marsh area adjacent to dredged material deposition area - Open area will be colonized by plants and become productive habitat.

Natural marsh area adjacent to land created as part of settlement an oil spill.

Deteriorating marsh - ponds increase in size as marsh disappears.

Open pond within mixed vegetation marsh.

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.