Planting Marsh Grassses for Erosion Control

摘要

Transplanting salt marsh vegetation is an alternative erosion control method which is relatively inexpensive and proven to be effective on some shorelines. A fringe of marsh grasses, whether volunteer or transplanted, serves as a natural erosion barrier. The aerial plant parts dissipate waves reducing their impact on the bank, and they act as a living groin by accumulating sediment which widens the beach and increases the elevation. The tough mat of roots and rhizomes which developes helps stabilize the substrate and prevents loss due to wave action. There are many shorelines in North Carolina where environmental conditions (tide range, salinity, wave action, etc.) are unfavorable for a marsh fringe to exist. However, in many cases the natural marsh fringe has been destroyed by severe storms, dredging, filling or foot traffic.