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Washington State University Research and Extension Unit published a paper called, "SHOREBIRD, WATERFOWL AND BIRDS OF PREY USAGE IN WILLAPA BAY IN
RESPONSE TO SPARTINA CONTROL EFFORTS." You can read the document at http://www.friendsofwillaparefuge.org/spartinashorebirdmonitor.pdf

This paper describes peak winter and spring shorebird usage in sections of the bay has declined over 60% in the past decade as Spartina meadows have replaced the tidal mudflats.

Spartina is a perennial, deep-rooted saltmarsh grass, which re-sprouts each year from a dense, persistent root mass. It has colonized and eliminated much of the upper part of the wide expansive intertidal mudflats of Willapa. The long-term ecological impacts of this colonization include major declines in shorebird and waterfowl species, biodiversity, eelgrass beds (Zostera
marina L.), macroalgae beds, native saltmarsh habitat, and commercial shellfish beds (Daehler and Strong 1996; Dumbauld et al. 1997; Goss-Custard and Moser 1988; Gray et al. 1997; Kriwoken and Hedge 2000; Millard and Evans 1984; Jaques 2002). Species most threatened by Spartina are likely to be the 30 species of shorebirds that rely upon Willapa Bay?s 47,000 acres
of tideland for food and shelter during annual migrations to and from the Arctic (Paulson 1993; USFW 1997; Gray 1997). Much of the most-preferred shorebird habitat of Willapa Bay,sheltered upper tidal mudflats in the south part of the bay, has been displaced by Spartina. Peak winter and spring shorebird usage in sections of the bay has declined over 60% in the past
decade as Spartina meadows have replaced the tidal mudflats (Jaques 2002). Census studies on shorebird abundance in Willapa Bay in 1991-1995, prior to the major increases in Spartina growth, found that 44% of the total bird usage was within two areas, the Bear River/Lewis Unit ? South Willapa Bay region and the Willapa River area (Buchana and Evenson 1997). These two
areas have become almost contiguous Spartina meadows.

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