Plants can be obtained as seeds, 

 sprigs or whole plants in cores of soil. 

 The latter are the bulkiest to transport, 

 but should have the highest survival, 

 since the root systems are not disturbed. 



» Sowing of seeds is not 

 recommended in southern California, 

 Experimental attempts with Spartina 

 foliosa near existing stands of the 

 species (with hypersaline soil) were 

 unsuccessful . 



* Seeds should be stored at 5 C 

 (41 F) in fresh water for one month, 

 then transplanted to 4-inch pots 

 using greenhouse soil. Pots should 

 be placed in standing fresh water and 

 water levels maintained half-way up 

 the pot. Large numbers of seeds are 

 required, because many are not viable 

 and germination of viable seeds is 

 slow. 



* Pots should be maintained in 

 a sheltered environment, such as a 

 greenhouse, which has reduced light 

 and high humidity. 



* Once seedlings are 10 to 20 cm 

 tall, they can be transplanted to the 

 site, preferably within grazing 

 exclosures. 



intensive but highly successful. The 

 technique is recommended where few 

 plants are available or where 

 environmental conditions at the site 

 are marginal for successful 

 transplantation. 



6.4 SUMMARY OF CHAPTER 6 



Southern California's coastal 

 wetlands are unique to the region, and 

 because of a long history of disturbance, 

 they are in danger of extinction as 

 natural ecosystems. Restoration and 

 enhancement, though probably possible, 

 will be slow and difficult. 



Our understanding of how various 

 disturbances alter wetlands is incomplete, 

 as is our knowledge of how to restore, 

 enhance or establish wetland communities. 

 Guidelines are emerging, and several 

 recommendations are suggested in this 

 chapter. However, in all cases, local 

 wetland expertise would be invaluable in 

 the planning and implementation processes. 

 Each wetland has individual assets and 

 potentials which could be identified and 

 augmented. No single plan can deal with 

 the variety of disturbances or the range 

 of enhancement goals which might be 

 proposed for a wetland. 



• Sprigs should be collected from 

 mature plants which are rapidly 

 expanding. Sandy soils are easiest 

 to work in, and root systems are less 

 disturbed in the digging process. 

 Transfer sprigs to buckets of sea 

 water for transport to the site. 

 Plant at 2 m intervals. 



• Cores can be collected using 

 "clam guns," metal cylinders 

 (approximately 20 cm diameter x 1 m) 

 equipped with handles, a solid top 

 and exhaust valve. These are pushed 

 over the plant, into the soil about 

 20 cm, and extracted. Transport can 

 be in dishpans or other flat 

 containers. The same cylinders can 

 be used to excavate holes for 

 transplanting. This is very labor 



The principal ecological concepts to 

 be kept in mind in dealing with 

 disturbances and planning for wetland 

 enhancement are that: 



* Tidal flushing maintains a 

 variety of habitats which in turn 

 support a broad range of intertidal 

 species. 



* Large units of habitat are likely 

 to attract and maintain a larger 

 number of species, much as large 

 islands support more species than 

 small islands. 



* Habitats of value to mobile 

 species should be connected by 

 corridors to foster movements between 

 nearby wetland habitats. 



98 



