I, like Carol, lament the loss of what I call early successional wetlands.
They're great pond-breeding amphibian habitat as well as habitat for ducks and
shorebirds. In most cases, the kinds of successional changes (or changes caused
by restoration plantings) that Carol writes about are not benficial to many
waterfowl species. Diving ducks may still be attracted to ponds where the
shallow margins have been taken over by tall emergent or woody vegetation but
sparsely vegetated shallows are better for dabblers.

There are many species, salmon not among them, that benefit from open, sun-
exposed waters. I think first of the pond-breeding amphibians and turtles.
Enrichment, as supplied by cows, can increase algae and zooplankton, leading
to a rich food base for vertebrates like waterfowl and salamander larvae. Too
much enrichment can lead to elevated levels of harmful compounds like nitrates,
as well as an oxygen depleted environment but, in appropriate doses, the
enrichment can be positive for the aquatic community.

There's no doubt that there are a multitude of kinds of wildlife habitat and one
critter's habitat destruction is another critter's habitat enhancement.

Kelly McAllister
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Olympia, Washington
Reply to: mcallkrm at dfw.wa.gov