Tiller production was good at spring growth initiation. During 

 the spring evaluation, 25 April 1977, the original rows of smooth cord- 

 grass were no longer distinguishable at the lower elevations. An 

 average of 15 to 16 stems per meter squared was counted at the lower 

 elevations within the fenced area (Table 2). This was higher than in 

 the unfenced areas, except for rows 41 to 48 on the west side of block. 

 The overall differences between fenced and unfenced may be a measure 

 of rabbit effects on plant establishment. Within the fenced area, 

 density decreased as elevation increased. For example, in rows 21 to 

 30, stem density declined to about 10 plants per meter squared. At 

 the highest elevations (upper 10 rows) density averaged about 1 per 

 meter squared (less than originally planted) . This indicated a low 

 rate of survival, establishment, and vegetative reproduction above MHW. 



By 23 June 1977 the number of stems had increased at the lower 

 elevations. Figures 4 and 5 show the change in smooth cordgrass 

 density at 1 month and 1 year, respectively. In contrast to the low 

 survival and stem density recorded in August 1976 (Table 1), the three 

 rows at the lowest elevation had over 100 steins per meter squared, in 

 the fenced area (Table 3) . These three rows were located on a berm 

 formed behind the tires. Stem density declined as elevation increased. 

 However, in rows 41 to 45 there were approximately 50 stems per meter 

 squared in the fenced area. In contrast, less than one stem per meter 

 squared as recorded in the highest elevation. 



The effects of rabbit damage following planting were obvious at 

 the lower elevations 1 year after planting (Table 3) . Stem counts 

 in the unprotected areas indicated a density that was less than half 

 that of the fenced area. At the upper elevations larged differences 

 in the stem densities inside and outside of fenced areas were not 

 apparent. 



Smooth cordgrass was much lower in stature at the higher eleva- 

 tions (Table 3). Maximum mean height (152 centimeters) was recorded 

 on the fenced part of the berm next to the wave-stilling device. At 

 the lowest elevations (rows 41 to 45) plants were not as tall as 

 plants on the berm. Height progressively decreased as elevation 

 increased. 



Although survival of smooth cordgrass was low at the higher 

 elevations, saltgrass, gulf cordgrass, and marshhay cordgrass had 

 good survival percentages, 63.7, 59.5, and 73.7, respectively, in 

 August 1976 (Table 4). Needlegrass rush had poor survival (3.2 

 percent). Many plants of marshhay cordgrass (47.9 percent) and some 

 gulf cordgrass (7.9 percent) had developed seed heads by August. 



15 



