as a result of this algal growth, dead S. alterniflora commonly decays 

 much more rapidly than S. patens . 



The principal algal communities of the high marsh are enumerated and 

 described. Different hypotheses as to the function and significance 

 of the S. patens mat are considered. There is evidence that it serves 

 to conserve detritus within the S. patens community. The possible 

 function of the mat as a trap for allochthonous nutrients is discussed. 

 (Author's summary and B.W.) 



Keywords: high salt marsh, Spartina , algae, nutrients. Cape Cod 



C. Decomposition and Nutritive Value Changes 



III-C-1 



Burkholder, P.R., and A.H. Bornside. 1957. Decomposition of marsh 



grass by aerobic marine bacteria. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical 



Club 84:366-383. 



The article describes the methodologies used in analyzing 

 decomposition of Spartina alterniflora on Sapelo Island, Georgia, 

 during the period November 28, 1955-September 19, 1956. 



Many organisms isolated from marsh muds were able to grow well on 

 seawater extracts of Spartina grass, which is abundant in the habitat 

 of the bacteria. The amino acid requirement of these isolates is probably 

 supplied chiefly by marsh grass, mud organisms, and plankton crops in 

 the natural environment. The large numbers of bacteria present in the 

 marine muds of the Georgia sea island region have been found to 

 participate actively in the decomposition of Spartina , both in the 

 field and in the laboratory. Quantitative data provided an estimate that 

 eleven percent of the annual crop of marsh grass may be rapidly con- 

 verted to bacteria (dry weight basis). Marsh mud extracts failed to 

 serve as an enrichment medium for aerobic heterotrophic bacteria unless 

 supplemented with organic materials. (L.H.) 



Keywords: Spartina , bacteria, marsh grass, Georgia 



III-C-2 



Meyers, S.P. 1974. Contribution of fungi to biodegradation of Spartina 



and other brackish marshland vegetation. Louisiana State University, 



Baton Rouge, Department of Food Science (reprint). 



Transformation of marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora , to detritus is an 

 initial energy transfer step in the coastal Louisiana estuarine ecosystem. 



102 



