Mowitch Estuary Project

Photo Gallery #6 - 2003 Photos Mowitch galleries: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [Mowitch Home] Click on the image for a larger version. Oct. 9, 2003. Salt marsh development is apparently controlled by goose predation. Brass buttons, the South African species (Cotula coronopifolia), survives despite goose disturbance. Under protection, the young salt marsh community is dominated by seaside arrowgrass (Triglochin maritimum). Oct. 9, 2003. Elevational zonation is developing, partially as a result of planting patterns. Inland saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) and tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) grade into a mixture of native and introduced European plants. Aster, goldenrod, and mugwort have arrived as windblown volunteers. Oct. 9, 2003. Tide pictured at approximately +8 MLLW. No subsidence has been observed. The elevation of the tidal plain appears to support good growth of salt marsh species where goose protection is maintained. Oct. 9, 2003. Diverse age structure inside the exclosures indicates continuous recruitment of seaside arrowgrass (T. maritimum) seedlings. Oct. 9, 2003. A fish-eye's view of the habitat. Oct. 9, 2003. Outplanting survivorship is high. Irrigation and poor drainage of irrigation water has modified community composition. Compacted soils combined with irrigation have created saturated soils resulting in the development of wetland plant communites in some areas. Photos courtesy of P. Cereghino, NOAA, 2003.