AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM-BASED APPROACH TO RESTORATION OF LOUISIANA’S BARRIER ISLANDS

摘要

It is well documented that barrier islands in Louisiana are the first line of defense for protecting interior wetlands, inland bays, mainland regions, and critical oil and gas infrastructure from direct effects of wind, waves, and storms. Barrier shorelines are also essential ecosystems which provide habitats for various birds, fishes, and other aquatic organisms including threatened and endangered species. The morphology of the barrier islands is related to the sediment supply and geophysical processes. Over the past century, these islands have migrated and deteriorated for a variety of reasons (both natural and anthropogenic), making restoration of these habitats of utmost importance but also challenging. This paper provides a brief overview of barrier island restoration in Louisiana; and also suggests a system-wide approach for of restoring and maintaining individual islands. An integrated, system-wide approach acknowledges and embraces the interconnected nature of internal marshes, bays, tidal inlets/passes, and barrier islands as they all constitute one system.