Impact/Purpose:

Louisiana has identified a number of beneficial-use dredge sediment sites in their coastal wetlands. The goal of this project is to develop baseline information on environmental parameters affecting the selection, establishment, and growth of plant species for dredge-restored sites. The informaton can be used to improve mitigation activities and habitat restoration activities in marshes and other coastal wetlands by federal, state and local governemnts as well as the organizations in the private sector.

Description:

The proposed study site for this project is approximately 230 acres of confined dredge materials located north of Port Fourchon, LA. The specific objectives of the study are 1) to implement a comprehensive program of dredge materials/plant species research; 2) to initiate steps which reduce the time required for the establishment of productive plant communities on dredge materials; 3) to develop a methodology to re-vegetate and manage dredge materials that will support a more increased plant species-rich habitat than is currently being realized; 4) to identify the physical, chemical, and biological factors which control the success or failure of dredge material vegetative plantings; and 5) to provide planners, designers and builders with management strategies that incorporate an ecological and environmental perspective into dredge-material engineering. Elements of the proposal are 1) plant selection, propagation, and field studies using a diverse assembly of herbaceous and woody species that have marsh restoration, wildlife value, and are applicable for use on highly disturbed soils typical of dredge-restored sites; 2) evaluation of planting techniques, such as mechanical sprigging, mechanical and aerial seeding and hand planting; 3) evaluation of nutrient management trials for increased productivity and improved plant establishment; and 4) evaluation of the relationships between site elevation, soil elements, and plant species response.

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