Efficiency of conversion of incoming solar energy to biomass, based 

 on indicated peak net primary production, ranged from a high of 0.67 percent 

 for the Iva frutescens community type to a low of 0.17 percent for 

 Salicornia europaea . 



In decomposition tests, about 83 percent of Spartina alterni flora , 

 tall, decomposed the first year. Other species, except where amounts 

 were 10 grams or less, were not 83 percent decomposed after 2 years. 



Chlorophyll production did not correlate with net primary production 



of any community type, based on samples taken at or just before the peak 



of standing crop. Chlorophyll loss was marked when high marsh community 

 types were submerged for extended periods. 



Protein content, based on an analysis of individual species, was highest 

 for forbes, lower for Juncus , and lowest for grasses. 



Fertilization of stands of Spartina patens and Spartina patens - 

 Pi stichl is spicata with nitrogen gave increases in net production, 

 chlorophyll, and protein content. There was no response to fertilization 

 with potassium. 



Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of salinity on 

 new root production of Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata . Plugs of 

 these species removed from the marsh and treated with full -strength synthetic 

 sea water had less new root production than those treated with half-strength 

 or with tap water used as a control. Under all treatments most new roots 

 originated near the tops of the plugs despite the greater moisture and 

 temperature stress there. 



The importance of the salt marshes as producers in the estuarine eco- 

 system was pointed out. Comparisons of production with other Atlantic 

 coastal salt marshes and with prairies were made. (A. A.) 



Keywords: intertidal plant communities, Spartina , Juncus , Salicornia , 

 primary production, energy fixation, Virginia 



II-B-26 



Keefe, C.W., and W.R. Boynton. 1973. Standing crop of salt marshes 



surrounding Chincoteague Bay, Maryland-Virginia. Chesapeake Science 



14:117-123. 



The purpose of the study was to determine the standing crop and chemi 

 cal composition of the high and low salt-marsh vegetation of Chinco- 

 teague Bay, the largest of a series of shallow embayments along the 

 Delmarva peninsula of the Atlantic Coast. Approximately 23,000 acres 

 of salt marsh form a nearly continuous border between dry land and 

 the open waters of the bay. Most of the marsh is flooded by 



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