with the July planting with a survival rate of over 5 percent and an 
average of over one new tiller per surviving transplant. 
This species is well adapted for transplantation, establishment, 
and vegetative and sexual reproduction above the normal high tide zone. 
In the upper zone, considering all planting dates and all study blocks, 
this species had the highest survival and reproduction rate of ail 
transplants (Tables 18 and 19). Highest survival and reproduction was 
associated with winter planting. 
b. Black mangrove. A source of transplant material for this 
species was not available for the first two planting dates. In the 
upper zone, survival was low for the April and July plantings (Table 18). 
However, survival for the mid-May planting was about 17 percent. Vege- 
tative reproduction did not occur at any of the planting dates or in any 
of the zones (Table 19). 
Survival in the middle zone was more consistent, between dates, 
than in the upper zone. It ranged from a low of about 11 percent in 
April and May to over 14 percent in July. Maximum survival for this 
species occurred with the July planting in the lower zone (33.9 percent). 
However, survival at the two earlier planting dates was less than 5 
percent. 
This species may be adapted for use along eroding shorelines of 
the upper Texas gulf coast in either the low or middle zones. However, 
in both of these zones washout did occur. In addition, based on obser- 
vation, chances for establishment were increased if the transplant 
material was tall enough so that 2 to 4 leaves extend above the water 
surface. Based on the data available, this species is adapted for late 
spring or summer planting. 
c. Saltgrass. Single rhizomes of this species were used as 
planting material. Survival in the upper zone was recorded for only 
the April planting and was less than 4 percent (Table 18). However, 
each surviving transplant produced over seven runners during the summer 
growing season (Table 19). 
In the middle zone saltgrass established on all planting dates, 
except April. However, survival was low, ranging from 2 to 7 percent. 
This low rate reflects a large loss due to washout from the continual 
wave action with dispersal of the unstable soil from around the trans- 
plants. Vegetative reproduction in this zone was erratic ranging from 
0 in January to 19 in the March planting. In the lower zone no trans- 
plants survived. This indicated not only loss due to washout, but also 
that saltgrass was not adapted for areas continuously inundated. 
Saltgrass is adapted for use in the middle zone. It can tolerate 
frequent inundation due to tidal action and readily reproduces vege- 
tatively forming a mat over the soil surface. Transplanting would be 
successful during the spring or summer, provided the wave action is 
48 
