Effects of open marsh water management on selected tidal marsh resources: a review

Open Marsh Water Management (OMWM) is a method of salt-marsh mosquito control that advocates source reduction and biological control through selective pond creation and ditching in mosquito breeding areas. This method has been used as an alternative to chemical insecticides in coastal wetlands for 30 years. This paper reviews the effects of OMWM on hydrology, topography, vegetation, mosquitoes, invertebrates, fishes, birds, mammals, and water quality. Other source reduction techniques and the economics of OMWM are also discussed.