The Laguna Madre of Texas and Tamaulipas is the only
hypersaline coastal lagoon on the North American continent
and only one of five worldwide. Extending along 277 miles of
shoreline in South Texas and northeastern Mexico, the lagoon
is renowned for its vast seagrass meadows, huge wintering bird
population, and bountiful fishing grounds.
Recent concerns about increasing human activity have focused
attention on the long-term health of the Laguna Madre as growing
population pressures, pollution problems, and dredging threaten this
unique ecosystem. The Nature Conservancy, whose mission is the
conservation of biodiversity through protection of habitat, recognized
the need to compile all known information about the Laguna Madre in
order to move ahead with a science-based conservation agenda. This
book is the result.
Taking an ecosystem approach to the study of this rich habitat,
the authors first provide an overview of the natural history
of the Laguna Madre and adjacent areas, including an essay on
the importance of the region's private ranches. Succeeding chapters
discuss the diverse natural resources of the lagoon-seagrasses,
open bays, tidal flats, barrier islands, abundant waterfowl,
colonial waterbird rookeries, sea turtles, and fisheries. A final
section identifies information gaps, offers a conservation framework,
and makes recommendations for preserving the biodiversity of this
complex and special ecosystem.
More than seventy years of literature on the Laguna Madre and
surrounding environments has been synthesized here. With more
than 150 figures and illustrations, this book is the first to take
a broad and comprehensive look at both the Texan and Tamaulipan
Laguna Madre.
For scientists, conservationists, resource managers, and policy
makers involved in the future of the Texas and Mexico coasts, the
value of this book is clear. Coastal residents, birders, anglers,
and nature lovers who want to learn about and take care of the Laguna
Madre will also find this to be an indispensable guide.
_________________________________________________________
JOHN W. TUNNELL, JR., is director of the Center for Coastal Studies
and professor of biology at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
FRANK W. JUDD is a professor at the University of Texas-Pan American
in Edinburg, Texas.
Number Two: Gulf Coast Studies, sponsored by Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi
