barren substrates in a slow manner. Purer (1942) noted that California 

 cordgrass seedlings were unconunon and speculated that reproduction of 

 the species was principally vegetative rooting from ejctensive creeping 

 rhizomes of the parent plant. Phleger (1971) questioned whether the 

 species actually produced viable seed as he failed to achieve germination 

 in the laboratory using several standard techniques. However, Mason 

 (1973) located seed-produced stands of cordgrass and achieved germination 

 in laboratory experiments. Techniques were later developed for estab- 

 lishing cordgrass from seed, plugs, and nursery stock under field condi- 

 tions (Newcombe and Pride, 1975; Knutson, 1975). Sprigs have also been 

 used successfully to produce new stands of cordgrass (Morris, et al . , 

 1978). 



The above field plantings were made in areas totally sheltered from 

 wave activity. Before this study, little had been known about the toler- 

 ance of California cordgrass to wave activity in exposed areas. Based 

 on observations of smooth cordgrass on the Atlantic coast, Knutson (1977) 

 concluded that seeds are likely to establish only in sheltered areas. 

 Sprigs are more tolerant to wave activity and can be used reliably in 

 fetches (the distance the wind blows over open water in generating waves) 

 up to about 8 kilometers. Plugs or nursery stock work consistently well 

 in fetches up to 16 kilometers. Knutson also reported that plants can be 

 established in areas exceeding these fetch limits if the slope onshore 

 is gradual, shallow depths occur offshore, or if the site faces away 

 from the direction of predominant winds. 



IV. METHODS AND PROCEDURES 



1 . Plant Selection . 



Three plant species are predominant in the intertidal zone in San 

 Francisco Bay. California cordgrass is the principal colonizer in the 

 intertidal zone up to the MHW elevation, and pickleweed {Salioovnia sipp .) 

 and saltgrass {D-vstiahlis sp-ioatd) are the dominant plants in the higher 

 marsh, MHW to the estimated highest tide. 



California cordgrass has considerably more potential for erosion 

 control than the other two plants. Cordgrass is found in the intertidal 

 region which is subject to the greatest wave attack and subsequent ero- 

 sion. It grows in dense, monotypic stands with semirigid, erect stems. 

 This growth forms a mass that dissipates wave energy. Natural stands 

 with 800 or more stems, 0.3 to 1.2 meters in height, may be crowded into 

 each square meter of marsh. The plant is supported by numerous shallow, 

 underground rhizomes and an extensive root system that stabilizes the 

 sediments in which it grows. During the growing season, roots and rhi- 

 zomes constitute 50 to 60 percent of the plant's total weight (Floyd 

 and Newcombe, 1976; Knutson, 1976). 



Pickleweed and saltgrass grow in the high intertidal zone which is 

 not the region of critical erosion. Neither plant has the erosion con- 

 trol attributes of California cordgrass. Pickleweed is poorly anchored 



