compacted [sealed) around the perimeters of the bioconstructs to pro- 

 tect against wave surges. Then, a wooden dowel 1 meter in length was 

 pressed vertically through the center of each bioconstruct after it was 

 planted [Fig. 4). Each dowel had a "T" top made by forcing it through 

 a slightly undersized hole in the center of a piece of wood. Wooden 

 planking was used to construct walkways in the plots during the planting 

 operation to minimize substrate disturbance. 



Figure 4. A cordgrass-ribbed mussel bioconstruct showing 



top of dowling used to stabilize the transplant. 



5. Experimental Design for Field Plantings . 



The evaluation of field-planting techniques was conducted in two 



phases. Phase one focused on determining the relative tolerance of 



seeds, sprigs, and plugs to wave activity. Phase two focused on develop- 

 ing improved plug-planting techniques for erosion control, 



a. Phase One--Comparison of Seeds, Sprigs, and Plugs . San Mateo and 

 Alameda Creek (area 1) were selected for the phase one plantings. The San 

 Mateo site was planted between 14 and 25 July 1976 and plant survival was 

 determined in August and December 1976. Alameda Creek (area 1) was 

 planted in May 1976 and monitored in August and October 1976 and January 

 1977. The following is a summary of plant materials used at each site. 



San Mateo 



Seeds (hand) , 23 liters 



Alameda Creek (area 1) 

 Seeds (hand) , 20 liters 



Seeds (hydroseeding) , 150 liters Sprigs, 628 

 Sprigs, 360 Plugs, 54 



Plugs, 108 



