Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Marsh Basins, Hydrology, and Diversity -- Basin Formation by Physical Forces -- Biological Influences on Wetland Structure -- Hydrology -- Rainfall Patterns, Hydroperiods, and Wetland Types -- Wetland Diversity and Complexes -- Classification -- Chapter 3. Marsh Substrate and Vegetation Structure -- Substrate -- Water-Depth Influences on Plants -- Plant Life Forms -- Marsh Islands, Edge, and Layers That Influence Wildlife Use -- Chapter 4. The Marsh as a System -- Food Chains and Webs -- Nutrients -- Chapter 5. Habitat and Behavior Patterns Among Marsh Wildlife -- Animal Adaptations -- Competition and Resource Segregation -- Social Relationships -- Sounds of the Marsh -- The Marsh Edge -- Chapter 6. Dominant Animals -- Birds -- Mammals -- Fish -- Amphibians -- Reptiles -- Invertebrates -- Chapter 7. Habitat Dynamics -- Seasonality and Wildlife Responses to It -- Succession and Other Changes -- Short-Term Vegetational Changes -- Muskrat Populations -- Impact of Vegetation Changes on Bird Populations -- The Importance of Food Resources -- The Importance of Instability -- Chapter 8. Management and Restoration -- Philosophical Considerations -- Acquisition of Wetlands -- Natural Methods: Water-Level Regulation -- Natural Methods: Herbivores and Other Vegetation Management -- Artificial Methods -- New Marshes from Old: Marsh Restoration -- Marshes Where They Were Not -- Birds versus Fish -- The Coming of the Carp and Some Alien Plants -- The Limits of Management -- Chapter 9. Marshes and People -- Loss of Marshes: The Good and the Bad -- Evaluating Marshes -- Negative Aspects of Marshes -- Water-Level Modification -- Water-Level Stability -- Marshes for Water Purification and Energy -- Wildlife Users: The Watchers -- Wildlife Users: The Takers.

Endangered Species and Endangered Habitats -- The Contribution of Wetlands to Environmental Science -- Chapter 10. Marshes for the Future -- The Human Need for Water -- Wetlands in Conflict -- Conservation Goals and Policies -- Epilogue -- Appendix A. Some Elementary Marsh Study Techniques -- Appendix B. Marsh Management Techniques -- Appendix C. Scientific Names of Plants and Animals Mentioned in the Text -- Appendix D. Glossary of Terms Used in the Text -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Y -- Z.