Pregermination Requirements and Establishment Techniques for Salt Marsh Plants.
Abstract
Pregermination requirements and establishment techniques for several salt marsh plant species are discussed. Both seeding and transplanting have resulted in successful artificial marsh establishment on natural coastal areas and on deposited dredged materials. Since most of the existing studies were performed on sand substrates, little is known about salt marsh establishment on loam, silt, clay, or highly organic soils. Establishment appears to be independent of substrate, but long-term growth and survival of salt marsh grasses apparently are dependent upon substrate. Growth regulation appears to be associated with soil physical factors such as percolation, diffusion, drainage, and aeration rather than with the chemical characteristics of the soil. Elevation and hydraulics, which largely determine the periodicity of plant submergence and emergence, appear to control plant distribution and zonation. Since momentum transport also is largely determined by elevation and hydraulics, establishment and growth of salt marsh plants are affected by the bed shear stress of the substrate. Biological, mechanical, and engineering problems associated with artificial marsh establishment are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA045514
Entities
People
- Frank J. Cali
- Pat K. Falco