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1979 Plantings
Based on our preliminary plantings made in December 1978 and the
nutrient analysis of initial substrate samples, we established 9
experimental plantings in May 1979, using primarily Puccinellia
maritima (Fig. 3), to a lesser extent Juncus maritimus (Fig. 4), and to
a lesser extent still because transplants were not locally abundant,
Spartina maritima (Fig. 5). These experimental plantings were designed
to determine transplant response to conventional ammonium sulfate +
concentrated superphosphate and slow release (Mag Amp and Osmocote)
fertilizer materials at different rates over a wide range of tidal
elevations. All transplants were taken from the natural marshes at lie
Grande and Kerlavos. Digging of transplants was confined to small
areas along narrow drainageways (Fig. 6) and protected sites so as to
impact the marsh as little as possible. Half of the 2900 May
transplants were plugs (10 to 15 cm deep cores from 5 to 7 cm in
diameter composed of root material with attached substrate) and half
were sprigs (root material only) (Figs. 7, 8, 9). Holes for the
transplants were made with a 6.5-cm diameter soil auger (Fig. 10).
Transplants were spaced 0.5 m apart and the appropriate amount of
fertilizer material was placed into the transplant hole prior to
insertion of the transplant (Fig. 11). Planting was conducted just
prior to the spring tide cycle so that transplants would be flooded
shortly after planting.
FIGURE 3. Puccinellia maritima.
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