The effects of Hurricane Rita on the aquatic vascular flora in a large fresh-water marsh in Cameron Parish, Louisiana

In June 2005, a large fresh-water marsh in Cameron Parish, Louisiana was surveyed for aquatic vascular plants. This marsh is bisected by the Intracoastal Waterway into a northern sector contained within the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge and a southern sector. In September 2005, Hurricane Rita made landfall in Cameron Parish, Louisiana as a Category 3 storm. In June 2006, nine months after the storm, another survey of the marsh was made. Results from that survey indicate that the vascular flora of the northern sector were largely undamaged. In contrast, most of the plant species of the southern sector have been extirpated. It appears that violent wave action and salt poisoning from the storm surge caused this destruction. Additionally, it appears that the Intracoastal Waterway acted as a barrier to the storm surge and thus protected the northern sector of the marsh.