Compared to inland wetlands, little is known about the ecology of invertebrates that inhabit coastal wetland. In particular, information pertaining to the seasonal availability of invertebrates to foraging waterfowl is lacking, as is the response of invertebrates to introduced zebra mussels, changes in habitat structure, herbicides and pesticides, sedimentation, water chemistry, pH, dissolved oxygen, or other cultural stresses.
With specific reference to Long Point, the impact of different land uses in the watershed, competition from exotic species of invertebrates and fish, influence of changing water levels, and wetland alteration, all require further study. Invertebrate availability to waterfowl during spring and fall migration, and the species composition and biomass of invertebrates consumed by each species of waterfowl, are particularly important to determine.
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