Table 2. Observation on planting sites, 24 August 1984. 



Group Results 



Approximately 0.91 m tall, 0.46 m tillering spread, 5 to 10 stems from single stem 

 plantings, nutria activity (some plants eaten; some plants that had been eaten had 

 resprouted). 



Site 3 row plantings were totally closed in and were tillering in each direction, 



Site 2 row plantings were mostly closed in and were also tillering in each direction, 

 and, 



Site 1 row plantings had spread out 0.61 to 0.91 m and fertilized plants showed a 

 little more spreading. 



Similar response to Group 2 where plants survived nutria activity. 



tillers spread toward the shoreline, the detrital material was bound by the developing root system 

 of the plant. This same sequence of events was noted in continued spread and development into 

 the adjacent areas following the major storm events. There were several major events attributing 

 to the spread of the plant other than the plant's ability to spread. Three hurricanes-Danny in 

 August 1985, Elena in September 1985, and Juan in October 1985-hastened the transport of seeds 

 and vegetative material, followed by several hard freezes which increased the germination rate of 

 the seeds. Extreme high and low tides, water circulation, normal winds, and breaches in the 

 shoreline all helped to transport the plants to adjacent areas. 



CONCLUSION 



It is expected that smooth cordgrass will continue to grow and spread in this area with no 

 additional planting; however, additional planting will hasten the spread of the plant. Success of the 

 planting program has attracted the attention of researchers in the area, and extensive experimental 

 planting and fencing has been undertaken. 



LITERATURE CITED 



Ensminger, A., and W. Savant. 1986. Marsh conservation plan developed for William Monteleon. 

 Submitted to Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 



Montz, G.N. 1973. An ecological study of a baldcypress swamp in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. 

 Castanea 38:378-386. 



St. Charles Lakefront Levee. 1969. General design memorandum no. 2, supplement no. 6. U.S. 

 Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, LA. 



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