J v - 



a Ammo ghilo brevtli g ulato drift 

 a 90-cm burial 

 o Alga! drift 

 □ Bare sai 

 © Bay drift 



12 19 



June 



25 



10 19 

 July 



1973 



25 



14 



August 



27 



Fisure 



Comparison in mean leaf length of Ammophila 

 br'eoil-igutata per tiller in five habitats. 



(Table 39; Fig. 89). Once again the algal and 90-centimeter burial treat- 

 ments were similar to each other and greater than all other treatments. 

 Although measurements were not taken, chlorophyll content of the algal and 

 90-centimeter burial treatments also appeared to be far greater than all other 

 treatments. 



The presence of algal drift material enhances Ammophila breviligulata 

 growth similar to that of accreting areas. Algae undoubtedly provides both 

 Increased moisture availability and nitrogen, which lead to optimal plant 

 growth. Oceanic drift lines, rich in algal components, are by far the best 

 habitats on Nauset Spit-Eastham for plant colonization. Below-ground produc- 

 tion (rhizomes), which leads to vegetative expansion, is greatest in oceanic 

 drift lines. 



Oceanic drift lines, while effective sites of plant colonization, have not 

 played an important role in the recolonlzatioa of washovers on Nauset Spit- 

 Eastham because the area is continually eroding. Vigorous growth of oceanic 

 drift-line vegetation was found in 1978 and 1979 along Nauset Spit-Eastham, 

 but did not survive winter storms. At best, these sites provide new prop- 

 agules for resettlement in other areas. 



Bay drift lines have the densest vegetation and most varied flora of all 

 Cape Cod drift lines, although they do not have the luxuriant plant growth of 

 either oceanic drift lines or accreting areas. Daring the 2 years after the 



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