rhizomes and tillers), but because it is shallow-rooted, it is probably not as useful for stabilization as
Pacific cordgrass. Pickleweed may be easily established by seeding or by transplanted peat-pot
seedlings, and in fact, it often invades disturbed surfaces during the first growing season.
Sedge (Carex lyngbvei). Sedge marshes are usually found in areas such as river deltas where silty soils
exist. They grow above the mean tide level and are not especially salt tolerant. The plant may respond to
nitrogen and phosphorous under deficient conditions. It appears to be one of the best marsh plants available in
the Pacific Northwest.
Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia caespitosa). This plant predominates i high marshes subject to flooding
only by higher-high tides. It is a good sediment accumulator and stabilizer once established. It is generally easy
to transplant and quick to establish.
Arrowgrass (Triglochlin maritima). This plant will frequently invade and colonize disturbed marshes,
trapping sediments and debris and helping to create a substrate for other plants. Planting should follow the
method described for sedges.
Great Lakes Marshes. Marshes of the Great Lakes are generally limited in extent, and confined primarily
to the protected shores of bays and inlets of Lakes Huron and Michigan. Establishing fresh water marshes may
not provide as satisfactory a level of erosion prevention as saltwater marshes. The landowner interested in
establishing fresh water marshes should consider the common reed (Phragmites communis), rushes (Scirpus spp.)
such as spike rush, bulrush, and great bulrush, and, in some instances, upland grasses such as reed canarygrass
(Phalaris arundinacea).
Beach and Dune Plants
The protection of the upland portions of sandy shorelines can be accomplished through the creation of
barrier dunes and the stabilization of present dunes. Vegetation used to initiate the building of barrier dunes is
specially adapted to the more severe environment of the beach area (Figure 55). Barrier dune formation can
occur naturally, but it is usually slow and in some areas does not happen. Utilization and proper management of
the natural processes can accelerate the development.
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