Response of invertebrate diversity to habitat degradation in a wastewater effluent release site in Southeast Louisiana

City governments are increasingly using the method of wetland assimilation to treat wastewater.  This process provides nutrients and freshwater to the wetland, and is also a cheap method of treatment for the city.  This method is being used in Four Mile Marsh in Southeast Louisiana.  After this process was begun in 2006, the marsh experienced severe degradation, not necessarily because of the treatment.  Invertebrates are an ideal model for evaluating habitat condition because of their quick life cycles and hyper-diversity.  Invertebrates in this marsh have been sampled in the past, both before and during marsh degradation.  A  third round of sampling is happening now, representing a somewhat recovered system.  The diversity of invertebrates from different times will be compared to determine habitat condition.