摘要：

The paper considers the importance of tidal salt marsh systems and reviews management strategies for salt marsh mosquitoes. Salt marshes occur in many coastal parts of the world and often support large mosquito populations which transmit diseases to people and livestock. Where human settlement is close to mosquito-breeding areas, there is need for intervention in the system to minimize the problem. There are three main methods used to manage the mosquito problem. Chemical control usually involves spraying to kill the immature stages or adults. Although it is immediately effective, it must be repeated frequently. Biological control uses pathogens and predators to keep the mosquito population at an acceptably low level and may be effective over a longer time period than chemical control. Alteration of the physical environment renders it unsuitable for mosquito survival. It usually involves changing the hydrologic characteristics of the marsh by impounding, draining, filling, or by altering the pattern of flooding, and has potential for long-term management. Recent developments of this method favor low environmental impact techniques. In an integrated control program these three methods are used in various combinations, depending on the local situation at a particular time. Any of these methods will have impacts on the salt marsh system, and this in turn will affect adjacent estuarine and marine areas. To minimize adverse effects, while maintaining adequate control of the mosquito population, requires an understanding of the way the whole salt marsh functions and the way it interacts with other systems. This necessitates an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of management. We critically review the literature on salt marsh management methods to reduce mosquito populations. In particular, we discuss the effectiveness of each method in controlling the mosquito population, consider the nature and extent of the impact it has on the environment, and note both research and practical problems related to it. Finally, we discuss developments in mosquito management methods and the need for interdisciplinary research on complex coastal ecosystems.

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