GigaUnit Transplant System: A New Mechanical Tool for Transplanting Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Abstract

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) performs many important ecosystem functions, including wave attenuation and sediment stabilization, water quality improvement, primary production, food web support for secondary consumers, and provision of critical nursery and refuge habitat for fisheries species (Orth et al. 2006a). Over the last few decades, there have been global declines in SAV abundance, which could have widespread deleterious effects on coastal and estuarine ecosystems (Orth et al. 2006a). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff have a need to understand the most effective tools available for restoring or mitigating damage to SAV. Regulatory personnel are responsible for issuing permits for activities that may impact sensitive nearshore coastal resources, including SAV. Other Corps activities, such as dredging, have the potential to negatively impact SAV, and mitigation may be required to restore damaged SAV resources. Planting SAV may also be a component of other types of Corps projects, such as beneficial uses of dredged material (Section 204) and ecosystem restoration (Section 206) projects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA489596

Entities

People

  • Deborah J. Shafer

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army
  • Army Corps Of Engineers
  • Bays
  • Case Studies
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Dredging
  • Ecosystems
  • Engineers
  • Mechanical Equipment
  • Monitoring
  • Planting
  • Plants
  • Transplants
  • United States
  • Vegetation
  • Water Quality
  • Wildlife Management

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biotechnology - Bioremediation