gator

change in living resources - population change of the various fish and wildlife
 
To learn more about the changes in south louisiana's bird population visit birds.btnep.org
 

For example, over harvesting of a native species.  Alligators were listed as endangered species in the mid 1900s due to over harvesting . With proper wildlife management this species has rebounded and now a recreational sport.

Approximately 735 species of birds, finfish, shellfish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals spend all or part of their life cycle in the estuary. Several of the species are either categorized as threatened or endangered.  Many factors contribute to declines in animal populations.

pelican

Change in habitat is a significant factor for most of the organisms. Pollution can also have a negative impact on the health of species and their ability to reproduce. Additionally, over-harvesting by fishermen, hunters, and trappers can harm animal populations.

 

In spite of threats that face animal species throughout the Barataria and Terrebonne basins, data indicates that most have not experienced continuous declines in population over the past thirty years. This is true for all estuarine dependent finfish and shellfish and for most of the wading birds and raptors.

seatrout

 

A significant number of species, such as alligator, show an increasing trend that can be attributed to recovery from recent over-harvesting. Birds,  such as the American bald eagle and the brown pelican, also show signs of recovery following near extinction in this area due to reproductive failure caused by pesticides. Migratory waterfowl that winter in the region are also exhibiting increasing trends that track continental trends. Living resources are the animals-- birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals--that live in Barataria-Terrebonne. Information about the living resources suggests that stress to animal populations falls into three categories:

  • Habitat loss, which occurs from natural and human disturbances to nesting and foraging areas of the natural marsh wildlife 
  • Over-harvesting, which occurs when fishermen, anglers, hunters, trappers, or collectors take too many individuals of a species. 
  • Pollution, which occurs when toxins, herbicides, pesticides, and other wastes contaminate the food chain within the Barataria-Terrebonne basins. 

 

 

         

  Probable Causes

  • Historic habitat loss/modification
  • Commercial fishing (over-fishing)
  • Historic wildlife hunting (over-harvesting)
  • Aquaculture
  • Water pollution (eutrophication, pathogens, toxins)
  • Conflicts between recreational and commercial fisheries 
    Introduction of exotic species

Probable Impacts

  • Decreases in sport and commercial fishing and shellfish populations

  • Decreases in furbearing and waterfowl populations of sport and commercial value
  • Decreased recreational and commercial value of wetlands and estuaries
  • Decreased populations or extinction of some native species
 
   
   

 
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