Habitat Development Field Investigations, Apalachicola Bay Marsh Development Site, Apalachicola Bay, Florida

The feasibility of developing marsh on fine-grained and coarse-grained dredged material in a brackish water intertidal environment was tested at a dredged material disposal site in Apalachicola Bay, Florida. Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens) sprigs were planted at different spacing intervals to evaluate optimum conditions for growth. Natural invasion of plant species was also documented during the period of study. Results indicate that the development of marsh plants on dredged material can be readily accomplished in the area of study. (Author)