Shoreline Plant Establishment and Use of a Wave-Stilling Device.

Abstract

The establishment and development of smooth cordgrass transplants on a 2-percent slope behind a wave-stilling device constructed of two tiers of tires strung on a cable were monitored along the north shore of East Bay in Texas. Two previous plantings on the sloped area, the first without wave protection and the second behind one tier of tires, were unsuccessful. After a second tier of tires was placed on top of the original tier, enough protection was provided from waves to allow successful planting. A 0.15-meter buildup of sediment occurred directly behind the barrier. Smooth cordgrass survival was approximately 50 percent and over 100 stems per meter squared were counted in some areas 1 year after planting. Density and height of smooth cordgrass increased with increasing hours of inudation. Rabbits apparently caused enough damage to plants outside a rabbit-proof fence that significant differences in density between fenced and unfenced areas occurred. With adequate wave protection, smooth cordgrass can be established below MHW in estuarine areas. Gulf cordgrass, marshhay cordgrass, and saltgrass can be used above MHW for shoreline protection.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1978
Accession Number
ADA053285

Entities

People

  • J. D. Dodd
  • J. W. Webb

Organizations

  • Texas A&M University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Bays
  • Beach Erosion
  • Beaches
  • Coastal Engineering
  • Construction
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Materials
  • North Carolina
  • Planting
  • Plants
  • Regions
  • Shores
  • Soils
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States
  • Universities

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Coastal and Marine Engineering/Sediment Transport/Hydraulic Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Bioremediation