COASTAL ZONE FACT SHEETS

The Louisiana Coastal Zone boundary, when designated in 1978, encompassed approximately 2.0 to 2.4 million hectares of both wetland and non-wetland habitats within all or portions of 20 parishes. Since that time significant land loss has occurred. Within the portions of the 10 river basins comprising the LA coastal zone, land loss rates are estimated at between 25 to 35 square miles per year. Both anthropogenic and natural threats to the integrity and viability of Louisiana's coastal zone include oil and gas exploration, salt water intrusion, eutrophication, sediment reduction, subsidence, hydrologic alterations, storm events, landfill operations, toxic wastes, forest clearing, and exotic species invasions.

Although much of this area still supports its native vegetation, undisturbed examples of natural communities are fairly rare. Any threat to Louisiana coastal natural communities may threaten sensitive plant and animal species found in those communities. The Louisiana Natural Heritage Program (LNHP) database contains 542 elements in three classes: rare plants, rare animals, and natural communities. Of the total elements tracked by LNHP, 30 percent are known to occur in Louisiana's coastal zone. Due to the large number of rare plant and animal species in the Louisiana coastal zone, and also because of the high level of natural and man-made threats associated with the area, the LNHP, in partnership with the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP), has created factsheets for each of the rare species and natural communities in the area (factsheets for 44 animal species, 88 plant species and 27 natural communities). These factsheets are designed to provide basic information on each species or community that will aid in identifying sensitive species and their habitats, serve as a useful tool for educators, and help guide development of management plans and review of coastal zone projects.


To view the factsheets, choose each of the following tables

Rare Animals of Louisiana's Coastal Zone Fact Sheets

Rare Plants of Louisiana's Coastal Zone Fact Sheets

Natural Communities of Louisiana's Coastal Zone Fact Sheets

Suggested citation for factsheets:
Louisiana Natural Heritage Program.  2008.  Rare plants, animals and natural communities of the Louisiana coastal zone [website information].  Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA.  http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/experience/naturalheritage/coastalzonefactsheets/