reduced sufficiently to prevent washout. In addition, planting blocks 
of sod rather than individual rhizomes may enhance establishment. 
d. Needlegrass. This salt marsh species did not establish on any 
of the planting dates in the upper zone (Table 18). However, in the 
middle zone, establishment did occur at all planting dates, except July. 
It reproduced rapidly and at a desirable rate (Table 19). The surviving 
January ‘transplants had an average of about 21 new tillers per transplant. 
It should be noted that much of the survival and reproduction of needle- 
grass occurred in Block IV where protected from wave action. This species 
did not survive, regardless of planting date in the lower zone. It ap- 
parently will not tolerate continuous inundation. 
Needlegrass could be of value for use in the middle zone if wave 
action is reduced during establishment. It can be planted during the 
winter or spring with about equal chance of establishment. Vegetative 
reproduction was much greater with winter transplants. 
e. Common reed. The January planting of this species was the only 
one with any Survival in the upper zone (Table 18). Reproduction from 
the surviving transplants averaged seven tillers (Table 19). In the middle 
zone survival occurred at all planting dates. The range was from 1 percent 
in January to 11 percent in July. Reproduction was low, one and one-half 
tillers or less per surviving transplant. In the lower zone, survival 
occurred in only the April and July plantings. The high survival rate 
for July could be misleading due to the short time interval between 
planting date and evaluation. Reproduction from the April planting was 
five tillers per surviving transplant. 
This species does not appear to be adapted for use in either the 
upper or lower zones. It apparently cannot survive the high soil salinity 
in the upper zone nor the inundation or salinity in the lower zone. 
Transplants of this species were one of the least susceptible to washout. 
The value of common reed for stabilization is limited to the middle zone. 
Due to low survival rate it may have limited use. It can be planted any- 
time during the winter, spring, or summer in this zone. 
f. American bulrush. This salt marsh species did not survive in 
either the upper or Tower zones (Table 18). Survival in the middle 
zone occurred only with the July planting and the rate of reproduction 
was over one tiller per surviving transplant (Table 19). 
This species is not adapted to the vigorous environment of the 
eroding clay shorelines along East Bay. 
g. Olney bulrush. Establishment occurred in the upper zone at all 
planting dates, except April (Table 18). The highest rate, over 17 
percent, occurred with the July planting. However, vegetative repro- 
duction was low, about one tiller, regardless of planting date (Table 19). 
49 
