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Tidal Freshwater Marsh Establishment on Dredge Spoils in the Columbia River Estuary¹

ABSTRACT

A study of marsh establishment through seeding and transplanting of tufted ha|rgrass [Deschampsia cespitosa (L.) Beauv.] and slough sedge (Carex obnupta Bailey) on sandy dredge material in an intertidal location in the Columbia River Estuary is reported. The experiment included treatments with single and split applications of a mixed N, P, and K fertilizer. Survival and growth of plants and N, P, and K concentrations in plant tissues are presented.

Survival and biomass production differed significantly with respect to elevation with few plants of either species surviving after the first winter below 0.7 m above Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW). The best growth of tufted hairgrass transplants was in upper elevations (Average about 1.9 m above MLLW), but satisfactory stands were obtained down to about 0.9 m above MLLW. The best growth of slough sedge was at middle elevations (about 1.1 m above MLLW) with satisfactory growth down to about 0.8 m above MLLW. Direct seeding was not a satisfactory means for establishing these species, although natural seeding of tufted hairgrass began to occur in the second year of the plantings in areas protected and stabilized by the transplants.

Fertilizer significantly increased growth of tufted hairgrass during both growing seasons, particularly at the upper tier. With slough sedge, except for a slight increase in the number of culms, fertilizer had no significant effect on growth in either year.

Key Words: Deschampsia cespitosa • Carex obnupta • marsh planting • fertilization • nutrient content • N • P • K

¹ Scientific Paper no. 5248, Project 1971, College of Agric. Res. Center, Washington State Univ., Pullman. Research was supported in part by the U.S. Army Corps of Eng. The seeding and planting of the plots were done under contract from the Corps by Wilbur Ternyik, Florence, Oregon.

² Graduate Research Assistant, Forest Scientist, Research Technologist, Associate Agronomist, and Soil Scientist, respectively, Western Washington, Res, & Ext. Center, Puyallup.

Received for publication December 4, 1979.