productivity were least. Drainage of sulfides out of the area and additions of iron into the area 

 (from tidal flushing) may help keep the toxic effects of sulfide from lowering marsh productivity 

 (King et al. 1982). Sulfide concentrations in the soil's pore water will therefore be monitored as 

 well. 



Finally, short-term sediment accumulation may be influenced by these hydrologic manipulations. 

 Levees reduce the sediment contributions from overland flooding cycles but may also constrain 

 erosive forces. Plants contribute large amounts of organic matter belowground and their loss 

 following soil waterlogging will decrease the autochthonous sources of organic matter. Sediment 

 accumulation rates will be measured using marker horizons. Feldspar and brick dust, for example, 

 are routinely used (Baumann 1980). 



Fisheries and Wildlife 



Fish and invertebrate communities will be examined from a life history and population point- 

 of-view. The commercial fish value of wetlands is typically presented as more than 80% of U.S. 

 Army Corps of Engineers suggested benefits for marsh restoration. Waterfowl and furbearer usage 

 will also be included, but funding commitments have not been established yet. 



Expected Significance 



At the beginning of year 3, (1) replicated impoundments will be completed; (2) at least one 

 restoration site will have been attempted for one growing season; and, (3) fisheries work will be 

 initiated at least at one study site. The scientific/management results are (1) a long-term field 

 experiment will be initiated to determine the long-term effects of partial impoundment of plants, 

 sedimentation and, perhaps, fish movements; (2) landowners and management will be further drawn 

 into the science-application information transfer loop and spread the information among colleagues. 



The anticipated benefit of the project is a series of practical demonstrations of the positive and 

 negative influences of marsh hydrologic changes on coastal erosion, restoration, and management. 

 Recommendations for best water management practices, optimum marsh restoration sites, and 

 future impacts of present practices are being developed. These will have an immediate application 

 to the landowners, regional coastal advisory and regulatory agencies, and those concerned with 

 wetland management elsewhere. 



The benefits will take place as the direct result of the following: 



1. Establishment of a rare and valuable long-term study environment for developing best 

 management practices in coastal marshes. 



2. Demonstration plots of best management practice and restoration technique results. 



3. Documentation of tests of the various present marsh management practices and alternative 

 measures suitable for retarding the present high rate of coastal erosion. 



4. Scientific analysis of the various factors which interact to encourage and retard coastal 

 erosion; this improved understanding will lead to refined marsh management practices. 



5. Involvement of important agencies and organizations in the projects. 



6. Integrated use of the university research community which is the single State resource with 

 a primary long-term commitment to quality peer-reviewed research encompassing all aspects 

 of wetland ecology. 



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