II-B-21 



Foster, W.A. 1968. Studies on the distribution and growth of Juncus 



roemerianus in southeastern Brunswick County, North Carolina. 



M.S. Thesis. North Carolina State University at Raleigh. 72 pp. 



The distribution of Juncus roemerianus (needle rush) relative to 

 other marsh plant species along a composite environmental gradient 

 represented by a river marsh was investigated through the use of 

 color infrared aerial photographs. Due to the limited habitat data 

 collected, the factors limiting the distribution of this plant were 

 not determined. However, regions of the marsh where future studies 

 would be most profitable were identified. 



Attempts were made to clarify the pattern of growth of needle rush 

 and to determine the rates of growth and death of leaves by measuring 

 the heights of individual leaves. At any given time of year, the 

 shorter, younger leaves grew faster than the taller, older ones. 

 The older a leaf, the greater was its rate of die-back. Most of the 

 die-back occurred after the leaves reached their maximum heights. 

 Growth occurred throughout the year, with the maximum rates occurring 

 in May and June. The rates of die-back were moderate throughout the 

 year, but were highest from July through September. The overall 

 rate of die-back probably exceeded the rate of growth from July 

 through January. 



Data from clip plots indicated that both the mean height of mature 

 leaves and the distribution of leaf size remained essentially the 

 same throughout the year. Net leaf productivity for the study area, 

 in terms of dry weight, was estimated to have been 560 g/m^/year. 

 This figure was calculated by combining values for rates of growth 

 and die-back of leaves with values for leaf density and leaf weight. 

 (A.A.) 



Keywords: Juncus , needle rush, infrared photography, marsh plants, 

 productivity. North Carolina 



II-B-22 



Marshall, D.E. 1970. Characteristics of Spartina marsh which is receiving 

 treated municipal sewage wastes. Pages 317-358 in^ H.T. Odum and 

 A.F. Chestnut, eds.. Studies of marine estuarine ecosystems developing 

 with treated sewage wastes. Institute of Marine Sciences, University of 

 North Carolina. Annual Report for 1969-1970. 



As populations and development grow along marine coasts, more and more 

 treated sewage effluents enter the marshes and estuaries. One of the 

 main types of ecosystems receiving these wastes is the Spartina salt 

 marsh. A study was conducted on Calico Creek Marsh, near Morehead City, 

 North Carolina. 



48 



