We compared densities of nekton and infauna among 5 natural and 10 created (3 to 15 yr in age) salt marshes ~n the Galveston Bay system of Texas to test whether these marshes were funct~onally equivalent. Decapod crustaceans dominated the nekton on the marsh surface during both the spnng and the fall. Densltles of daggerblade grass shrlmp Palaemonetes pugio, the most abundant decapod, were not signif~cantly d~fferent among marshes, but the size of these s h r~m p In created marshes was significantly smaller than in natural marshes Densit~es of the marsh grass shrlmp Palaen~o n e t e s vulgar~s and of 3 commerc~ally-~mportant crustaceans (white shrimp Penaeus setlferus, brown shrimp Peoaeus aztecus, and blue crab Calllnectes s a p~d u s ) were slgniflcantly lower In created marshes than ~n natural marshes. Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus were the most abundant fish collected, mainly on nonvegetated bottom adjacent to marsh habitats. Fish densities within vegetation (predominantly gobies and pinfish Lagodon rhornbo~des) were significantly lower in created marshes than in natural marshes. Natural and created marshes, however, did not differ in species richness of nekton. Sediment macro-organlc matter and density and species richness of macroinfauna (mainly polychaete worms) were all signif~cantly lower in created marshes than natural marshes. There was a posit~ve relationship in created marshes between marsh age and sediment macro-organ~c matter, but marsh age was not related to nekton densities. Natural marshes were similar in having low elevations and flooding durations between 74 and 80% of the year, while created marshes were flooded from 43 to 91 % of the time. In contrast to marsh age, tidal floodlng was often related to nekton dens~tles in marsh habitats. We conclude that marsh elevation and tidal flooding are key characterist~cs affecting use by nekton and should be considered in marsh construction projects.
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