stabilize the eroding shore (Fig. 55) : a nursery area to the south and an 

 unplanted control area to the north. Four species were planted: smooth 

 cordgrass (Spavtina dltevniftova) , black needlerush iJunus voemerianus) , 

 narrow- and broad-leaved cattails (Typha spp.), and common reed {Phvagnrltes 

 australis). Plant density and dry weight for the marsh were determined in 

 June and October 1979. The results of this experiment show that the optimum 

 planting time is April, May, and June. CERC, in conjunction with the Soil 

 Conservation Service (SCS), has planted 10 species of freshwater marsh plants 

 on the sound side to determine their erosion control potential, and 11 acces- 

 sions of saltmeadow cordgrass {Spavtina patens) in the dunes to determine 

 those most suited for dune stabilization in the Outer Banks area. 



Figure 55. Experimental marsh in Currituck Sound before 

 planting (April 1973). 



Profile lines in the marsh were surveyed in 1973, 1978, and 1979. Between 

 September 1973 and September 1978, the 1- to 1.5-meter bank eroded at a rate 

 of about 1.5 meters per year. Between 1978 and 1979, 1.06 cubic meters per 

 meter of sediment began to accrue in the planting area, while the unplanted 

 area eroded -1.68 cubic meters per meter. The marsh is now well established 

 (Fig. 56). Many new species, mostly freshwater species, have invaded the 

 marsh as the salinity is negligible, varying between 1 and 5 parts per thou- 

 sand. Sediments in the sound are composed of medium sand. 



2. Fauna Studies . 



Matta (1977) conducted an intensive seasonal study of the FRF ocean and 

 sound beach fauna. On the ocean beach, 23 species of macrofauna in 5 phyla 

 and 19 families were collected (see App. E) ; all but four of these species 

 were polychaetes or crustaceans. Several types of meiofauna were also quan- 

 titated but were not identified to the species level. On the sound beach 23 

 species of macrofauna in 4 phyla and 23 families were collected (see App. E) , 

 with the phylum Arthropoda dominating the macrofauna, the phylum Annellida the 

 most numerous. 



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