tolerance and is the fastest growing CDavis, 1940; Savage, 1972; 

 Pulver, 1976). 



The red mangrove is well adapted to invade new areas through its 

 large, viviparious seed (germinates within the pencillike radicle 

 while still attached to the tree) which is ready to take root as soon 

 as it falls from the tree. Propagules remain viable while floating 

 long distances for months and take root upon landing on a suitable 

 site. This is usually the first mangrove to invade new areas, and has 

 been considered the chief agent for shoreline stabilization in Florida 

 (Davis, 1940). The isopod parasite of mangrove roots {Spaevoma tere- 

 brans^ causes serious damage to red mangroves on some sites (Teas, 1977). 



Savage (1972) points out that black mangrove should be preferable 

 for this purpose. It is more cold-hardy, more tolerant of artificial 

 substrates and high-energy conditions, and provides earlier and more 

 complete protection through the development of pneumatophores, than the 

 other two species. White mangroves appear to have the lowest value for 

 stabilization because the seedlings have more fragile root systems and 

 are very slow to develop accessory roots. It invades and coexists with 

 the other two and contributes to stability in this way. 



The red mangrove usually fringes the shoreline. Apparently, this 

 species is able to establish at slightly lower levels than the other 

 two. All three are found growing at elevations from slightly below 

 mean tide level (MTL) to well above MHW. Where both mangroves and salt 

 marsh occur together, the mangroves extend seaward of the salt marsh. 

 Mangroves, once established, can tolerate deeper water than salt marsh 

 plants. 



Mangroves easily form hedges along developed waterfront property. 

 Savage (1972) found that all three species respond well to selective 

 pruning. Thus, they can be used to replace or protect bulkheads and 

 still fit landscaping plans, and can be pruned to avoid visual obstruc- 

 tion. 



(2) Smooth Cordgrass . This is the dominant flowering plant in 

 the regularly flooded intertidal zone in salt marsh along the coast of 

 peninsular Florida. It is well adapted to sea strength salinity (35 parts 

 per thousand). It will grow and reproduce in freshwater but will event- 

 ually be crowded out by other marsh and weedy species (Woodhouse, Seneca, 

 and Broome, 1976). Other characteristics of this species are discussed 

 in the Atlantic coast. Section IV, 1, a (1). 



Whether the smooth cordgrass of peninsular Florida is distinct from 

 that of the Georgia-north Florida marshes is unclear. It is probable 

 that plants from farther north in Florida would perform satisfactorily 

 here. This grass is most valuable in protecting the lower slope of 

 spoil piles and eroding shorelines. It may be used very effectively 

 to stabilize bare intertidal areas before the establishment of mangroves; 



42 



