GigaUnit Transplant System: A New Mechanical Tool for Transplanting Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

摘要

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) performs many important ecosystem functions, including wave attenuation and sediment stabilization, water quality improvement, primary production, food web support for secondary consumers, and provision of critical nursery and refuge habitat for fisheries species (Orth et al. 2006a). Over the last few decades, there have been global declines in SAV abundance, which could have widespread deleterious effects on coastal and estuarine ecosystems (Orth et al. 2006a). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff have a need to understand the most effective tools available for restoring or mitigating damage to SAV. Regulatory personnel are responsible for issuing permits for activities that may impact sensitive nearshore coastal resources, including SAV. Other Corps activities, such as dredging, have the potential to negatively impact SAV, and mitigation may be required to restore damaged SAV resources. Planting SAV may also be a component of other types of Corps projects, such as beneficial uses of dredged material (Section 204) and ecosystem restoration (Section 206) projects.