Grantee Research Project Results

2004 Progress Report: Developing Methods for Identifying Suitable Donors for Wetland Plant Restoration Through Transplantation

EPA Grant Number: R829584C002
Subproject: this is subproject number 002 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829584
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Louisiana Environmental Research Center (McNeese State)
Center Director: Ford, Mark A.
Title: Developing Methods for Identifying Suitable Donors for Wetland Plant Restoration Through Transplantation
Investigators: Ford, Mark A. , Stacy, Gus
Institution: McNeese State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: February 1, 2002 through January 31, 2007
Project Period Covered by this Report: February 1, 2003 through January 31, 2004
RFA: Targeted Research Center (2004) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Targeted Research

Objective:

This is one of seven subprojects of the Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC). For information on the other subprojects conducted by LERC, see the individual reports for R829548C001 through R829548C007.

The objective of this research project is to determine the appropriateness of restoring wetlands by transplanting Spartina alterniflora from distant sites as is commonly practiced.

Progress Summary:

This is one of seven subprojects of the Louisiana Environmental Research Center (LERC). For information on the other subprojects conducted by LERC, see the individual reports for R829548C001 and R829548C003 through R829548C007.

This project seeks to determine the appropriateness of restoring wetlands by transplanting S. alterniflora from distant sites, as is commonly practiced. Specifically, this project seeks to determine the relationship between adaptability to the restoration site and distance to the donor site using a common-garden approach. In addition, all donors used in this experiment are being genotyped to determine if the adaptability of potential donors can be assessed on the basis of genetic similarity to plants growing in the vicinity of the restoration site. Living plant material was gathered from 25 marsh sites spanning the Northern Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of the United States for transplantation to an experimental site in Louisiana. Each donor site was sampled for both plant tissue and pertinent environmental variables. Living plant material (8 clones per donor site) was acclimated over-winter in a greenhouse prior to planting at the experimental site. Measurements of photosynthetic rate, survivorship, clone diameter, and mean stem height and basal width were taken at monthly intervals throughout two consecutive growing seasons.

Preliminary results have demonstrated a clear negative relationship between latitude and photosynthetic rate, survivorship, and growth. In addition, results show that performance for both photosynthetic rate and survivorship drops off precipitously for donor plants collected at latitudes of greater than 30-35 degrees north.

All genotyping and field activities for this project are complete. Data analyses are ongoing.

Future Activities:

Data analyses are ongoing and will continue into next year.

Supplemental Keywords:

wetlands, wetland restoration, wetland remediation, marsh, Louisiana, restored marshes, sedimentation rate, vertical soil accretion, root zone influences,, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Water, Restoration, Ecological Risk Assessment, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Ecology and Ecosystems, Environmental Monitoring, restoration strategies, water quality, wetland plant restoration, remediation, coastal environments, wetland restoration, land use, ecological recovery

Relevant Websites:

http://www.mcneese.edu/lerc Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

2002

2003

2005

Final

Main Center Abstract and Reports:

R829584    Louisiana Environmental Research Center (McNeese State)

Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R829584C001 Wetland Restoration and Remediation in Southwest Louisiana Marshes: A Study of Soil Elevation, Vertical Accretion, Shallow Subsidence and Root Zone Influences in Marshes Restored Using a Variety of Techniques
R829584C002 Developing Methods for Identifying Suitable Donors for Wetland Plant Restoration Through Transplantation
R829584C003 Effects of Salinity and Bottom Substrate Composition on the Growth and Proliferation of Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima)
R829584C004 A Comparison of Health Parameters and Parasites in the Marsh Rice Rat Oryzomys palustris From Natural Freshwater, Saltwater, and Restored Marshes in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
R829584C005 Comparison of Metal Concentrations in Soils, Sediments, and Selected Species From the Area Around Chevron Texaco No. 2 Bayou Tank Battery in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge in Southwest Louisiana and Preliminary Determination of Oxidation State
R829584C006 Use of The Prairie Garden and Plant Material Center To Collect, Propagate, and Maintain Breeder Blocks and Garden Specimens of Louisiana Prairie And Wetland Ecotypes
R829584C007 Density of Marsh Periwinkles and Fire Ant Mounds in Natural and Restored Marshes in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge