Rate of spread of such plantings is useful in estimating the time 

 required for stands, established by seeds in the upper part of the tide 

 range, to advance downslope to the lower limit of growth for this species. 

 For example, direct seeding was successful at Snow's Cut down to 0.79 

 meters above MLW (inundated 5.7 hours daily); transplants survived down- 

 slope to 0.25 meters above MLW (inundated 16.6 hours daily). The hori- 

 zontal distance between these two points on this site was 39 meters. 

 Assuming an annual rate of spread downslope (1.31 meters) equal to that 

 measured for the transplanted area, 30 years would be required for the 

 seeded stand to spread to the lower limit. This is one of the strong 

 justifications for transplanting where early stabilization of the entire 

 slope is desired. 



Development of a transplanted stand at Drum Inlet has been followed 

 over a 2-year period (Tab. 23). This stand was one that escaped serious 

 damage from the February 1973 storm and from salt buildup during the 

 summer. Second-year development was equal or somewhat superior to that 

 at Snow's Cut in terms of plant cover, primary production, and belowground 

 growth (Tab. 20). This growth response took place under conditions that 

 varied substantially from those at Snow's Cut. Salinity was much higher 

 (close to sea strength) ; tide range was lower and erratic due to wind 

 effect, and there appeared to be much less movement of fine grained sedi- 

 ments. The rapid development of S. alterniflora on this site is further 

 evidence of its ability to perform well under a wide range of conditions 

 and suggests the Snow's Cut data may be representative of the development 

 process. 



Table 23. Development of Transplanted S. alterniflora at Drum Inlet 



Year 



Culms/m 2 



Height 

 (cm) 



Flowers/m 2 



Basal Area 

 (cm 2 /m 2 ) 



Yield 



kg/ha 





Center 



Rhizome 



122 



10 



19 



Below- 

 ground 



Above- 

 ground 



1972* 



29 



21 



t 



856 



1973$ 



473 



122 



113 



124 



15,038 



9,413 



*1972 samples were seven individual plants (means are 

 expressed in the table) for aboveground growth. 



tNot sampled 



$1973 samples were six, 0.25 m 2 plots. Belowground 

 samples were two cores from each of the aboveground 

 sampling areas. 



Another aspect of marsh development has been followed at the Drum 

 Inlet and Snow's Cut sites. Invertebrate species were sampled by taking 

 core samples of the substrate material, screening, and identifying those 

 present (Tab. 24). 



