Fire in North American Wetland Ecosystems and Fire-Wildlife Relations: An Annotated Bibliography

140. Lay, D. W., and T. O'Neil. 1942. Muskrats on the Texas coast. J. Wildl. 
          Manage. 6:301-311.

In a fresh to slightly brackish marsh, burning increased the desirable cattail and saltmarsh bulrush, and decreased smooth cordgrass and sawgrass. Late winter burning on an annual basis appears to be the best management scheme. In a brackish marsh, fall burning to increase green cattle forage in late fall and winter has reduced cover for muskrats. Burns in dry years resulted in too much removal; lakes resulted. Cessation of burning led to loss of desirable vegetation after 2 years. Impoundments appear to be the preferable approach to management of these marshes. In a brackish to saline marsh, a severe late summer burn (set by trappers to prevent late burning by cattlemen) followed by drought and salt tides ruined the area for muskrats. Late recovery of the vegetation attracted geese which severely damaged the marsh and perhaps led to semipermanent loss of land to open water. Burning of alternate strips is a more desirable management plan for this marsh. In all three types of marsh, burning is an important tool in muskrat management. [K-L-S]

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