Status and Trends of Wetland and Aquatic Habitats on Texas Barrier Islands, Matagorda Bay to San Antonio Bay

Wetland and aquatic habitats are essential components of barrier islands along the Texas coast. These valuable resources are highly productive biologically and chemically and are part of an ecosystem in which a variety of flora and fauna depend. Scientific investigations of wetland distribution and abundance through time are prerequisites to effective habitat management, thereby insuring their protection and preservation and directly promoting long-term biological productivity and public use. This report presents results of an investigation to determine current status and historical trends of wetlands and associated aquatic habitats along the central Texas barrier island and delta system from San Antonio Bay to East Matagorda Bay.