Building Salt Marshes Along the Coasts of the Continental United States

Abstract : This is the first comprehensive report on coastal marsh creation in the United States. It provides potential users with an analysis and interpretation of the available information on this subject. The role of marshes, the feasibility of marsh creation, and the effects of elevation, salinity, slope, exposure, and soils on marsh establishment are discussed. Plants suitable for marsh building are described by the major regions. Plant propagation, planting, fertilization, and management of the major plants are discussed. Labor and material requirements for marsh creation are summarized. Keywords: Coastal engineering; Gulf coast; Planting; East Coast; West Coast; Grasses; Wetland plants; Transplantation; Sediment accumulation; Marsh soils; Florida; Marsh building; Marsh vegetation; Stabilization.