Comparison of Spartina alterniflora loisel. transplants from different locations in a man-initiated marsh in North Carolina

Published source details Seneca E.D., Broome S.W. & Woodhouse W.W. (1985) Comparison of Spartina alterniflora loisel. transplants from different locations in a man-initiated marsh in North Carolina. Wetlands, 5, 181-190.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Directly plant non-woody plants: brackish/saline wetlands Action Link

Directly plant non-woody plants: brackish/saline wetlands

A replicated, site comparison study of salt marshes in North Carolina, USA (Seneca et al. 1985) reported that transplanted smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora did not clearly change in height over three growing seasons, but increased in density and biomass (with biomass reaching similar levels to natural marshes). Statistical significance was not assessed. After three growing seasons, cordgrass shoots were 125–158 cm tall on average (vs 109–173 cm after one growing season). Plots contained 203–275 cordgrass stems/m² (vs 52–96 stems/m² after one growing season) and 676–1,241 g/m² above-ground cordgrass biomass (vs 121–272 g/m² after one growing season). After three growing seasons, plots planted with tall-form cordgrass supported an above-ground cordgrass biomass of 1,068 g/m², compared to an average of 1,168 g/m² in five nearby natural, tall-form marshes. Methods: In April, smooth cordgrass was planted (90 cm apart) into fifteen plots on an area of recently deposited and graded intertidal sediment (year and number of plants not reported). Cordgrass plants were dug from four natural marshes and had different initial growth forms (short, intermediate or tall). In September after 1–3 growing seasons, transplanted cordgrass growing 50–60 cm above sea level was monitored: height of five shoots/plot; density and dry above-ground biomass in one 0.25–1 m² quadrat/plot.

(Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)