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CETA “Sreib 8 
Ctr 
77 -3 


Planting Guidelines for 
Marsh Development and 
Bank Stabilization 


| by 
Paul L. Knutson 


COASTAL ENGINEERING TECHNICAL AID NO. 77-3 
AUGUST 1977 


Approved for public release; 
distribution unlimited. 


U.S. ARMY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS 
COASTAL ENGINEERING 


=a: RESEARCH CENTER 
330 Kingman Building 
US Fort Belvoir, Va. 22060 


Reprint or republication of any of this material shall give appropriate 
credit to the U.S. Army Coastal Engineering Research Center. 


Limited free distribution within the United States of single copies of 


this publication has been made by this Center. Additional copies are 
available from: 


National Technical Information Service 
ATTN: Operations Division 

5285 Port Royal Road 

Springfield, Virginia 22151 


The findings in this report are not to be construed as an official 


Department of the Army position unless so designated by other 
authorized documents. 


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CETA 77-3 


4. TITLE (and Subtitle) 5. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED 


Coastal Engineering 


Technical Aid 
PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 


PLANTING GUIDELINES FOR MARSH DEVELOPMENT 
AND BANK STABILIZATION 6. 


7. AUTHOR(s) 8. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(s) 


Paul L. Knutson 


9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT, PROJECT, TASK 
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Department of the Army 
Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERRE-CE) G31530 
Kingman Building, Fort Belvoir, Virginia 22060 


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Department of the Army August 1977 
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Bank stabilization Marsh plants 
Erosion Planting guidelines 
Marsh development 


ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse side if necegsaary and identify by block number) 

Marsh plants are effective in stabilizing eroding banks in many sheltered 
coastal areas. Exceptional results have been achieved in a variety of inter- 
tidal environments at a fraction of the cost required for comparable structur- 
al protection. Techniques are available for the efficient propagation of 
several marsh plants for use in bank stabilization. This report provides 
guidelines for (a) selecting plants and planting methods, (b) determining 
seed application rate and plant spacing, (c) determining fertilization 

continued 


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requirements, and (d) estimating labor for planting on a project-by-project 
balsalsr 


an ae a a eR TT RE A NR 


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PREFACE 


This report is a planting guideline for marsh development and bank 
Stabilization. It is intended to augment information in Chapter 6 of the 
Shore Protection Manual (SPM) (U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Coastal 
Engineering Research Center, 1975). 


The report was prepared by Paul L. Knutson, Coastal Ecology Branch, 
under the general supervision of R.M. Yancey. Illustrations were prepared 
by the author and L. Martin. 


Comments on this publication are invited. 


Approved for publication in accordance with Public Law 166, 79th 
Congress, approved 31 July 1945, as supplemented by Public Law 172, 88th 
Congress, approved 7 November 1963. 


OEN H. COUSINS 
Colonel, Corps of Engineers 
Commander and Director 


CONTENTS 


Page 
CONVERSION FACTORS, U.S. CUSTOMARY TO METRIC (SI)... . 5 


I TUINAURODIUGIEMON >. og 6, 010 10 of 0. ol lo. 6 @ 9 6 0 6 B10 6 0 6 0 7 
Il SELECTING PLANTS AND PLANTING METHOD. ........ .. 7 
III DETERMINING SEED APPLICATION RATE AND PLANT SPACING... 11 
Io Seeakbne < J fof aig S55 nee ee Seah akey peMplog es Soe wal ace: eam mo 

Joo Sones, Ibs - veka SOciliyyss S95 594 6 6 5 6 6 6 oo UD 

IV DETERMINING FERTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS: <2. 23 2 ee2 
1. Seeding 12 


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APPENDIX 

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B DSTO OF IPWANIIING WIEMEODS 5 6.5 6 6 0 0 6 6b 6 a 6 oo LD 

C MAINTENANCE) OF (PLANTED) ORY SEEDED AREAS 3) 5 sa eneeel 

TABLE 


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FIGURES 

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CONVERSION FACTORS, U.S. CUSTOMARY TO METRIC (SI) 
UNITS OF MEASUREMENT 


U.S. customary units of measurement used in this report can be converted 
to metric (SI) units as follows: 


—————_— Saas 


Multiply by To obtain 
inches : 25.4 millimeters 
2.54 centimeters 
square inches 6.452 square centimeters 
cubic inches 16. 39 cubic centimeters 
feet 30.48 centimeters 
0.3048 meters 
square feet 0.0929 square meters 
cubic feet 0.0283 cubic meters 
yards 0.9144 meters 
square yards 0. 836 square meters 
cubic yards 0.7646 cubic meters 
miles 1.6093 kilometers 
square miles 259/50 hectares 
knots 1.8532 kilometers per hour 
acres 0.4047 hectares 
foot-pounds 1.3558 newton meters 
millibars 1,OlO7- & 10> ® kilograms per square centimeter 
ounces BS OS grams 
pounds 453.6 grams 
0.4536 kilograms 
ton, long 1.0160 metric tons 
ton, short 0.9072 metric tons 
degrees (angle) 0.1745 radians 
Fahrenheit degrees 5/9 Celsius degrees or Kelvins! 


1To obtain Celsius (C) temperature readings from Fahrenheit (F) readings, 
use formula: C = (5/9) (F -32). 


To obtain Kelvin (K) readings, use formula: K = (5/9) (F -32) + 273.15. 


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PLANTING GUIDELINES FOR MARSH DEVELOPMENT AND BANK STABILIZATION 


by 


Paul L. Knutson 
I. INTRODUCTION 


This report contains information which supplements Chapter 6 of the 
Shore Protection Manual (SPM) (U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Coastal 
Engineering Research Center, 1975)!. The objective of the report is to 
provide guidelines for the establishment of vegetation for marsh develop- 
ment and bank stabilization in coastal areas. 


II. SELECTING PLANTS AND PLANTING METHOD 


The appropriate species and planting method may be determined in the 
following manner. 


STEP ONE: Select the description from each of the following categories 
which best describes the site to be planted. 


GEOGRAPHICAL AREA 


Atlantic coast 
Gulf coast 
Pacific coast (southern) 


TIDAL ELEVATION 


Mean low water (MLW) to mean tide level (MTL) 
MTL to mean high water (MHW) 
MHW to estimated highest tide (EHT) 


TIDAL RANGE 


0.0 to 3.0 feet (1.0 meter) 
3.0 feet or greater 


SALINITY 


0 to 20 parts per thousand 
21 to 40 parts per thousand 
41 to 60 parts per thousand 


1ly.s. ARMY, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, COASTAL ENGINEERTNG RESEARCH CENTER, 
Shore Protection Manual, 2d ed., Vols. I, II, and III, Stock No. 008-002- 
00077-1, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1975, 1,160 pp. 


FETCH LENGTH 


0.0 to 1.0 mile (1.6 kilometers) 
1.1 to 5.0 miles (8.0 kilometers) 
5.1 to 10.0 miles (16.0 kilometers) 


SOIL PROPERTIES 


Mostly cohesive (silts and clays) 
Mostly granular (sand) 


Tidal elevations and tidal range can be estimated if detailed surveys 

are not available. To estimate tidal elevations, consult local tide 
tables and make site observations during low water and high water periods. 
Make these observations during calm periods when waves are low and there 
are no local storm fronts. Use reference stakes to delineate the tidal 
zone (MLW and MHW). Consider the midpoint between the high and low 
stakes to be MTL. Ttdal range is the vertical difference between high 
and low water. Tide tables can be obtained from private distributors 
such as sporting goods stores, marinas, and fishing concessions, and from 
the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Geological Survey. 


If specific information is not available, salinity can be estimated 
using the following general guidelines. Water begins to taste salty at 
about 3 parts per thousand. Seawater contains about 33 parts per thousand 
salt. In general, the waters of bays, sounds, and estuaries will have 
salinities lower than seawater because of the influence of freshwater. 
Salinity will be less than 20 parts per thousand in waters which are close 
to tributaries or are far from openings to the ocean. Salinity is likely 
to be more than 20 parts per thousand near bay mouths and inlet openings. 
Salinities greater than 40 parts per thousand are likely to be encountered 
only in areas where circulation is poor, evaporation rate is high, rainfall 
is low, and temperatures are high. Additional information on local salin- 
ity regimes is often available from State departments of natural resources, 
academic institutions, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- 
tration (NOAA). 


Fetch Length is the horizontal distance over which winds may blow 
across open water to create waves. Consider only the longest fetches. 


STEP TWO: Turn to the planting decision key (Fig. 1 if site is located 
on the Atlantic or gulf coasts; Fig. 2 if on the Pacific coast). Using 
the appropriate planting decision key and the site description compiled 

in STEP ONE, begin at the top of the key and move downward following the 
appropriate path. The path will terminate in a block which either desig- 
nates suitable plant species and planting methods or indicates the site 

is not appropriate for planting. Information on obtaining plant materials 
is in Appendix A; a description of each planting method is given in 
Appendix B; and maintenance requirements are discussed in Appendix C. 


BEGIN 


Elevation Elevation 
(MTL to MHW) (MHW to EHT) 


Elevation 
(MLW to MT 


Tidal Tidal Gulf Atlantic 
range range coast coast 
(>3.0ft) * (<3.0 ft) 


Salinity Salinity (cohesive)| | (sandy) 


(< 40 %oo) (>40 oo) * 


Fetch Fetch Fetch 
( >10 mi)] | (5.1 to (1.1 to 
10 mi) 5.0 mi) 


Salinity 
(>20 Yoo) 


(0.0 to 
1.0 mi) 


Salinity 
(<20 %o) 


Elevation Elevation 
(MLW to MTL) KMTL to MH 


Gulf coast 
cordgrass 
Spartina 
spartinae 
sprigs 


Smooth cordgrass 
Spartina alterniflora 


Seedlings 


Smooth cordgrass 


Smooth cordgrass 


Saltmeadow 
cordgrass 


Spartina 
patens 
sprigs 


* Do not plant 
*%* Least cost planting method 


*x*x Least cost but not recommended for dredged material disposal 
area 


Figure 1. Planting decision key, Atlantic and gulf coasts. 


©) 


BEGIN 


Elevation Elevation ‘Elevation 
(MLW to MTL)* (MTL to MHW) (MHW to EHT)* 


Salinity Salinity 
(<40 %o) (=40 %o) 


Fetch x Fetch Fetch 
(>10 mi) || (5.1 to (1.1 to 
10.0 mi) 5.0 mi) 


Salinity 
(>20 Yoo) 


Salinity 
(0.0 to 


20 Yo) 


California cordgrass 
Spartina foliosa 


California cordgrass 


California cordgrass 


Seedlings 


* Do not plant 

** Least cost planting method at 

*%* Least cost but not recommended Note. Tidal range not a determining 
for marsh development on factor on Pacific coast 
dredged material 


Figure 2. Planting decision key, Pacific coast. 


III. DETERMINING SEED APPLICATION RATE AND PLANT SPACING 
1.. Seeding. 
The recommended application rate for seed is given by: 
Seed application rate = Ra x Qs 


where Ra is a base application rate of 2 gallons per acre (19 liters 
per hectare) of seeds for California cordgrass (Spartina foltosa) or 

1 gallon per acre (9.5 liters per hectare) of seeds for smooth cordgrass 
(S. alterntflora), and Qs is the seed quality index for the seed source. 
Qs is approximated by collecting and examining seed before harvest. 

The total number of spikelets examined divided by the number of full 
spikelets (Fig. 3) is the Qs. 


Figure 3. Full spikelet. 


Threshing will reduce the volume of harvested material by about 50 
percent. Therefore, the volume which must be harvested in anticipation 
of planting is: 

Harvest volume = 2(Ra x Qs) x A 
where A is the area to be planted in acres. 
2. Sprigs, Plugs, and Seedlings. 


The Table summarizes recommended plant spacing for marsh development 
projects (plant cover in three growing seasons) and for bank stabiliza- 
tion projects (cover in one to two seasons). 


Table. Recommended plant spacing. j 


; Spacing for marsh Spacing for bank 
Plant material development (in) stabilization (in)? 
Smooth cordgrass 36 18 
(sprigs, seedlings) 
California cordgrass 36 18 
(sprigs, plugs, seedlings) 
Gulf coast cordgrass 36 36 
(sprigs) 
Saltmeadow cordgrass 18 18 
(sprigs) 


iii ccc zz» === 


1Minimum width for bank stabilization planting is 10 feet. 


The number of plants (sprigs, plugs, or seedlings) required for a 
given project is determined by: 


Plants required = Pa x A 


where Pa is plants per unit area, based upon spacing requirements 
(18- and 36-inch spacing requires 19,400 and 4,840 plants per acre, 
respectively). 


IV. DETERMINING FERTILIZATION REQUIREMENTS 


Fertilization treatment is recommended for: (a) all bank stabiliza- 
tion projects, (b) situations where rapid plant cover is desired, and 
(c) all sandy planting areas. 


dk Seeding. 


Apply to surface two parts (by weight) ammonium sulfate or ammonium 
nitrate to one part treble-superphosphate. Fertilize with 200 pounds 
per acre (220 kilograms per hectare) in June and again in July of the 
first growing season (a total of 400 pounds). 


2. Sprigs, Plugs, and Seedlings. 


Apply to surface two parts (by weight) ammonium sulfate or ammonium 
nitrate to one part treble-superphosphate. Fertilize with 200 pounds 
per acre (220 kilograms per hectare) at time of planting and again in 
June (a total of 400 pounds) or side dress (work fertilizer into soil 
along one side of each plant) (1 ounce per plant), with 8- to 9-month 
release fertilizer at time of planting. Application rate per unit area 
for side dressing is dependent upon spacing requirements (18- and 36- 
inch spacing requires 1,200 and 300 pounds per acre, respectively). 


I2 


Fertilization and other maintenance requirements are discussed in + 
Appendix C. 


V. ESTIMATING LABOR FOR PLANTING 


1. Seeding. Seeding may be accomplished with about 25 manhours of 
effort per acre. This figure includes harvest, storage, dispersal, and 
tillage. 


2. Sprigs. Sprigs may be excavated, separated, and planted for 
approximately 1 manhour per 100 plants. Labor per unit area is depend- 
ent upon plant spacing (18- and 36-inch spacing requires 200 and 50 
manhours per acre, respectively). 


3. Seedlings. Nursery seedlings will require about 5 manhours per 
100 plants to prepare and plant. Labor requirements are: 18- and 36- 
inch spacing requires 1,000 and 250 manhours per acre, respectively. 


4. Plugs. Plugs will require about 10 manhours per 100 plants to 
prepare and plant. Labor requirements are: 18- and 36-inch spacing 
requires 1,850 and 450 manhours per acre, respectively. 


VI. SAMPLE DESIGN PROBLEMS 


The following examples demonstrate the use of the guidelines pre- 
sented. 


Soe 868828885508 De POM loo oo oo oe aka ee 
GIVEN: Type of project, marsh development; geographical area, Atlantic 


coast; tidal elevation, MTL to MHW; salinity, 15 parts per thousand; 
fetch length, 0.0 to 1.0 mile; seed quality index (Qs) = 2. 


FIND: Plant and planting method. 
SOLUTION: Refer to Section II and use Figure 1. The path compatible 
with this project terminates in a block indicating that smooth cord- 


grass seedlings, sprigs, or seeds are Suitable. (Seeds are 
designated as the lowest cost method. ) 


FIND: Seed application rate. 
SOLUTION: Refer to Section III. 
Seed application rate = Ra x Qs. 


Base application rate (Ra) for smooth cordgrass is 1 gallon per acre 
(9.5 liters per hectare). 


Qs is given as 2. 


Therefore, 
seed application rate = 2 gallons per acre. 
xk kk kok Ok & kX & * * EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2 * * * * * * * * * * KK Ok X 
GIVEN: Type of project, bank stabilization; size, 20-foot width and 
435-foot length (0.2 acre); geographical area, Pacific coast; plant 
material, California cordgrass sprigs; plant spacing, 18 inches; 
fertilizer, top dressing. 
FIND: Fertilization required. 
SOLUTION: Refer to Section IV. 
Application rate for top dressing is 400 pounds per acre. 
Total fertilizer required for 0.1 acre is 40 pounds. 
FIND: Labor requirements for planting. 
SOLUTION: Refer to Section V. 
Labor requirement per unit area for sprigs spaced 18 inches apart is 


200 manhours per acre. Therefore, labor required for this project 
(0.2 acre) is 40 manhours. 


BIBLIOGRAPHY 


DODD, J.D., and WEBB, J.W., "Establishment of Vegetation for Shoreline 
Stabilization in Galveston Bay,' MP 6-75, U.S. Army, Corps of Engi- 
neers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., Apr.1975. 


ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN INC., ''Scope of Services Available - Plant Material 
Costs - Vegetative Establishment Costs - Consultation Rates - Specifi- 
cations for Plant Establishment - Guidelines for Site Suitability," 
Environmental Concern Inc., St. Michaels, Md., 1976. 


GARBISCH, E.W., Jr., WOLLER, P.B. and McCALLUM, R.J., "Salt Marsh Estab- 
lishment and Development," TM-52, U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, 
Coastal Engineering Research Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., June 1975. 


KNUTSON, P.L., ''Development of Intertidal Marshlands upon Dredged Material 
in San Francisco Bay,'' Proceedings of the WODCON VII Conference, 
July 1976. 


U.S. ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT, SAN FRANCISCO, "'San Francisco Bay and Estuary, 
Dredge Disposal Study, Appendix K - Marsh Development,' Apr. 1976. 


WEBB, J.W., and DODD, J.D., 'Vegetation Establishment and Shoreline 
Stabilization: Galveston Bay, Texas,"' TP 76-13, U.S. Army, Corps of 
Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., 
Aug. 1976. 


WENTZ, W.A., SMITH, R.L., and KADLEC, J.A., "State-of-the-Art Survey 
and Evaluation of Marsh Plant Establishment Techniques: Induced and 
Natural ,'' CR D-74-9, U.S Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, 
Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 1974. 


WOODHOUSE, W.W., Jr., SENECA, E.D., and BROOME, S.W., "Propagation of 
Spartina alterniflora for Substrate Stabilization and Salt Marsh 
Development,'' TM-46, U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering 
Research Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., Aug. 1974. 


WOODHOUSE, W.W., Jr., SENECA, E.B., and BROOME, S.W., ''Propagation and 
Use of Spartina alterniflora for Shoreline Erosion Abatement," TR 76-2, 
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, Coastal Engineering Research Center, 
Fort Belvoir, Va., Aug. 1976 


ivi i in mone ot: f 


APPENDIX A 


OBTAINING PLANT MATERIALS 


Few companies specialize in the sale of salt marsh plants. Informa- 
tion concerning local suppliers may be obtained from the State agent of 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service located 
in State capitals. The following are known commercial distributors of 
salt marsh plants: 


Horticultural Systems Inc. San Francisco Bay Marine Research Center 
POs Bor 3 8 Middle Road 
Bradenton, Florida 33506 Lafayette, California 94549 


(415) 332-5100 
Environmental Concern Inc. 
PEO >5 lope 12 
St. Michaels, Maryland 21663 
(301) 745-9620 


Complete taxonsomic descriptions of the plants discussed in this report 
may be found in Hitchcock (1971): 


Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterntflora) 
California cordgrass (Spartina foltosa) 
Gulf coast cordgrass (Spartina spartinae) 
Saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) 


In addition, Figure A-1 provides simplified illustrations of these plants. 
Confusion in recognizing these three species is not likely. California 
cordgrass is found only on the Pacific coast; smooth cordgrass is common 
only on the gulf and Atlantic coasts; Gulf coast cordgrass is limited 

to the gulf. Where smooth cordgrass and Gulf coast cordgrass occur 
together, each can be distinguished by their characteristic habits. 

Smooth cordgrass will be found forming nearly homogeneous stands within 
the intertidal zone. Gulf coast cordgrass, on the other hand, will be 
found in the high intertidal zone and on coastal uplands growing in clumps 
or tufts in association with other plant varieties. 


2HITCHCOCK, A.S., Manual of Grasses of the United States, 2d ed., 
2 Vols., Dover, New York, 1971. 


Smooth, Gulf Coast, and California Cordgrasses 


Growth habit Seed head Stem and leaf 


Figure A-1l. Plant identification. 


APPENDIX B 


DESCRIPTION OF PLANTING METHODS 


ilo Siee Preparation. 


Planting areas should be sloped to 1 on 15 or less for seeding pro- 
jects. Areas to be planted with sprigs, plugs, and nursery seedlings 
should be sloped as gradual as practicable. 


Bo Sseechijnes, 


Seeding is recommended for only smooth cordgrass and California 
cordgrass. Methods for planting these are similar. The seeds are ready 
for harvest as early as September in northern latitudes and as late as 
November in southern areas. Seed-producing stands should be examined 
periodically during appropriate months. When seeds are easily dislodged 
by grasping the seed head, harvesting should begin. To harvest, clip 
seed head from adult plant. After harvesting, store collected material 
2 weeks in moist condition, thresh, and store in cold (39° Fahrenheit, 
4° Celsius), brackish water. Broadcast at low water during late winter 
or spring (February through April in southern latitudes (south of latitude 
37° N.) and March through May in northern latitudes. Cover seeds with 
one-half inch or less of tillage. Standard agricultural equipment may 
be used to harvest and broadcast seed. Generally, such equipment re- 
quires modification to achieve mobility in marsh substrates. 


3. Planting Sprigs. 


A sprigging technique can be used to plant all of the species dis- 
cussed. A sprig is a part of a plant consisting of at least one node 
(joint of a stem from which the leaves arise) with attached stems and 
roots. To obtain sprigs, dig plants from existing marshes or "nurseries" 
established for this purpose and separate them. (CAUTION.--this activity 
is potentially damaging to existing, natural marshes. Avoid disruption 
of areas subject to erosion.) Obtaining and separating sprigs is much 
more efficient in sandy substrates and in young stands where dense root 
systems have not yet formed. Sprigs must be kept moist until planting 
and may be heeled-in (base of the plant covered with sediment but leaves 
and stems exposed) for several days in an intertidal area. (Do not allow 
plants to overheat by covering or keeping in closed containers.) To. 
plant, open a hole 4 to 6 inches in depth, insert the sprig, and firm the 
soil. Early spring is optimal for planting, although moderate success 
can be obtained in other seasons. A modified tobacco planter may be 
used to increase planting efficiency on sandy sediments. 


4. Planting Plugs. 
Plugs may be used to plant California cordgrass. A plug is,a root- 


SOil mass, 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in diameter and 6 to 8 


19 


inches (15 to 20 centimeters) deep which contains roots and a number 
of stems. Plugs can be excavated from existing marshes and trans- 
planted intact. Collect plugs in cohesive sediments only. An intact 
root-soil sediment mass cannot be maintained in sandy sediments. 

Plugs may be planted during any season (except in areas with ice forma- 
tion) though spring is preferable. Caution against disrupting natural 
marshes also applies here. 


5. Planting Nursery Seedlings. 


Smooth cordgrass and California cordgrass may be planted using 
nursery seedlings rooted in peat moss pots. Seedlings have a well- 
developed, intact root-soil mass for planting in either cohesive or 
sandy sediments. Seedlings have several advantages. Nursery stock can 
be (a) held indefinitely in the event of construction delays, (b) planted 
in most any season, though spring is preferred, and (c) cultivated with a 
minimum of disturbance to existing marshes. To prepare nursery seedlings, 
collect and store seed as discussed in Section II. Seeds may be stored 
up to 8 months. Remove seeds from storage and scatter over the surface 
of 3- to 5-inch-diameter peat moss pots filled with sand. Apply approxi- 
mately 10 seeds per pot, scarify lightly, irrigate with tapwater, and 
apply 10-10-10 fertilizer at 0.25 ounce per square foot after seeds have 
germinated. 


Seedlings should be grown for at least 3 months before planting. 
Maintain salinity in the solution comparable to that which will be 
encountered at the planting site. Planting of both plugs and seedlings 
is more efficient if holes are opened with an auger. 


20 


APPENDIX C 


MAINTENANCE OF PLANTED OR SEEDED AREAS 
1. Debris Removal. 


Debris such as wood, styrofoam, algae, and dislodged submerged plants 
accumulate in the high marsh forming a strand line. This material may 
smother and damage plantings particularly during the first two growing 
seasons. This litter should be removed in both the fall and the spring. 


2. Fertilization. 


If plant cover and development are inferior to that desired by the 
second growing season, fertilize again at rate given in Section IV for 
seeded areas. 


3. Waterfowl Control. 


Canadian and Snow geese are fond of the tender roots and rhizomes of 
marsh plants and may destroy a planted area before establishment. Rope 
fences erected on the seaward edge of planted areas have been used suc- 
cessfully to exclude waterfowl during the first few growing seasons. 

The fences consist of wood, metal, or plastic pickets strung with 1/8-inch 
nylon rope. The ropes are spaced at 6-inch intervals from the sediment 
surface to an elevation above MHW. 


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L079 SO/H/E Ol eBILgcn’ £0ZOL 


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L209 SSL 30u earesn* £0ZOL 


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£9 Bol, “Ot earecn’ £0201 


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L729 GL ou earecn* £07OL 


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L£7é9 SLi KL eBarecn’ £€0ZOL 


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