The ecology and biology of only two of the eight habitats found in the study area, seagrass meadows and open bay habitats, have been studied extensively. Coastal marshes, oyster reefs, and tidal flats have received the least attention. The plants are dominated by diatoms and vascular plants. The animals are dominated by invertebrates. The annelids, molluscs, and arthropods dominate the invertebrates.
Birds are the most diverse vertebrate group followed by fish.
Analysis of fisheries data revealed shifts in dockside commercial landings of shrimp and fish, but fairly consistent crab harvests. Changes in consumer demand and fishery regulations make it difficult to determine what part changes in population abundance has on harvest trends. No overall trends in bird populations were identified except for decreasing numbers of breeding colonial waterbirds. Forty-nine species in the study area are Federally listed as Endangered, Threatened or Candidate species. Of these, one plant, five sea turtles, one marsh turtle, one marsh snake, and four birds live in estuarine areas.