species will tolerate severe selective pruning; the red should be pruned with 

 care, cutting only branches smaller than 2.5 centimeters. 



5. Saltgrass {Vistiahlis spiaatd) . 



Saltgrass is widely distributed in high marshes along the Atlantic, gulf 

 and northern Pacific coasts and to a lesser extent along the southern Pacific 

 coast. It is more salt tolerant than other high marsh species (Chabreck, 

 1972) and is often dominant in small, poorly drained, more saline patches. It 

 has not been planted extensively. Hardisky and Feimold (1979) stated that 

 this grass survived well, spread rapidly the first 2 years after transplant- 

 ing, and was then gradually replaced by taller species. They suggest that it 

 is a valuable plant for early stabilization of bare sites. It evidently 

 warrants further attention. 



6. Seaside Arrowgrass {Tvigloahin mavttina) . 



This plant is a very plentiful pioneer in the northern Pacific coast. In 

 most areas it will be found lower in the intertidal zone than either Ljmgbye's 

 sedge or tufted hairgrass. Seaside arrowgrass has been planted on a limited 

 scale (J. Armstrong, U.S. Army Engineer District, Seattle, personal communica- 

 tion, 1979). Multiple-stemmed transplants or plugs are likely to be effec- 

 tive. Procedures should be similar to planting Lyngbye's sedge. When planted 

 with sedge, the two species should overlap at MLHW and the arrowgrass should 

 extend somewhat lower than the sedge. 



7. Siltgrass jPaspalum vaginatum) . 



On the peninsula of Florida, this grass often occupies or shares with 

 saltmeadow cordgrass the zone just above MHW normally reserved for saltmeadow 

 cordgrass elsewhere. It spreads rapidly, is more drought resistant than the 

 latter, and is easier to transplant under the frequently dry conditions 

 occurring along those coasts. Propagation, transplanting, and management 

 requirements appear to be very similar to those described for saltmeadow 

 cordgrass. 



VIII. COST 



1. Cost Comparision with Other Erosion Control Methods . 



Vegetative stabilization is the least costly of all erosion control 

 measures. A 10-meter-wide (landward to seaward) shoreline planting requires 

 an investment of only about $12 per linear meter to hand plant sprigs and 

 about $28 per linear meter to hand plant nursery seedlings (based on labor 

 costs of $15 per hour plus 100 percent for overhead) . Costs for structural 

 alternatives will range from $50 to $1000 per linear meter. Figure 36 

 compares planting costs with four standard structural alternatives. In 

 addition, planting does not require any specialized equipment and smaller 

 projects can be undertaken by a crew of two to three people. 



Because vegetative stabilization is cost effective, planting should often 

 be attempted even when success is questionable. 



79 



