Survival of Seagrass Plugs: Mechanical Harvesting

by Ron Gaby, Kimley-Horn & Associates Inc, West Palm Beach, FL, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '87

Abstract:

During the spring of 1985 a mechanical technique for harvesting seagrasses was developed in order to salvage large quantities of seagrass materials that were to be destroyed by a 4. 2 km (2. 6 mile) long beach renourishment project in Dade County, Florida. Salvaged materials were transplanted as a part of the Port of Miami's seagrass revegetation program. The mechanical harvesting was accomplished through the use of a boat equipped with a bow-mounted shovel powered by a hydraulic lifting arm. More than 165,000 15 cm (6 inch) plugs of Thalassia and Syringodium were harvested over a 53-day period. Approximately 7 months after planting, quantitative survival analysis was undertaken. Results of that monitoring indicated a mean survival rate of more than 50% for plugs present at baseline data collection. Inspection of plugs indicated that they were beginning to colonize the area. This paper also presents information on the techniques used in evaluating the survival of salvaged seagrasses.

Subject Headings: Quantitative analysis | Beach protection and nourishment | Vegetation | Small craft | Renewable energy | Project management | Ports and harbors | Florida | United States

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