Mean low water (MLW) and MHW elevations determined in 1976 were 

 marked with pipes. Other pipes were placed in the middle of these 

 zones and at the northwest comers of plots. Elevations to top of the 

 pipes and to the base were measured with a level to the nearest 0.5 

 centimeter. 



An evaluation of the block XVII planting was made 17 August 1976. 

 It was obvious that smooth cordgrass growth reflected differences in 

 elevation. Therefore, during the August evaluation, survival and 

 reproduction data were taken by rows, and then combined by five-row 

 increments . 



A second evaluation was made 25 April 1977. Elevations were 

 determined at each metal pipe. Smooth cordgrass density was measured 

 in 0. 5-meter-squared quadrats in both the fenced and unfenced areas. 

 Counts were converted to number of stems per meter squared. Survival of 

 the four species planted in the upper half of the block was determined 

 in 2.5-meter row sections. Each section included five original trans- 

 plants of each species. A final evaluation was made on 23 June 1977. 

 Procedures were the same as in evaluation two. 



Evaluations and counts of plant density in blocks I to XVIII were 

 made on 23 June 1977 to determine changes that may have occurred since 

 initial plantings. Plant density in blocks IV and XI was determined 

 by using %- meter- squared quadrats. Total number of stems per plot was 

 estimated in block XI. Estimations were based on random quadrat counts 

 of density. 



IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 



1. Block XVIH4 



In an evaluation on 17 August 1976, mean survival of smooth cord- 

 grass was 50.2 percent. Survival was 40.5 percent in the unfenced 

 area and 56.7 percent in the fenced area. Indications were that rabbit 

 predation was a problem and affected plant survival. Unfenced plots 

 were at slightly higher elevations than the fenced. Thus, rabbit damage 

 and drier conditions both could have been factors in plant survival. 



Survival was only 7.3 percent in the five rows of smooth cordgrass 

 at the highest elevation on 17 August. There were only 1.2 stems per 

 surviving transplant (Table 1). Survival and reproduction for the 

 next 10 rows (lower elevation) was below that of the 30 rows at 

 intermediate elevations. However, it decreased at the lowest elevations 

 (rows 46, 47, and 48). The range was from 0.4 (rows 1 to 5) to 16.4 

 (rows 41 to 45) plants per meter squared. The best survival, density, 

 and tiller production was in rows 41 to 45. In the lowest rows (46, 47, 

 and 48) wave action around and over the tires apparently was the 

 limited factor rather than water depth. 



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