The Effect of Mississippi River Delta Lobe Development on the Habitat Composition and Diversity of Louisiana Coastal Wetlands

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Abstract
The patterns of habitat changes occur during the growth and decay of Mississippi River deltaic lobes were examined by comparing different-aged lobes using habitat maps constructed from aerial photographs. Mudflats and fresh marshes dominated young delta lobes (10-1000 years old). Intermediate-aged lobes (1000-2000 years old) contained higher proportions of brackish and salt marshes. Old lobes (2000-4000 years old) contained large areas of salt and brackish marshes and open water. The number of habitat types (N) and Shannon-Wiener index of habitat diversity (H'') were lowest in the youngest lobe (N = 14, H'' = 0.68), highest in a medium-aged lobe (N = 56, H'' = 1.77), and intermediate in the oldest lobe (N = 44, H'' = 1.38). A new cycle of vegetation change is initiated approximately every 1000 years when upstream river diversion reintroduces fresh water and sediment into an old lobe.

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