Enhancement of Barrier Island Vegetation Demonstration

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Project Location

This project involved greenhouse studies and the testing of technologies at two previously planted CWPPRA project sites. The CWPPRA projects involved were New Cut Dune and Marsh Restoration (TE-37) and Whiskey Island Back Barrier Marsh Creation (TE-50). Both sites are located in Terrebonne Parish in the Isles Dernieres Barrier Island area.

Project Description

The goal of this project was to test several technologies or products to enhance the establishment and growth of key barrier island and salt marsh vegetation. The project focused specifically on enhancing the establishment and growth of transplants of both dune vegetation [bitter panicum (Panicum amarum) and sea oats (Uniola paniculata)] and marsh vegetation [smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)].

Issue Addressed

Barrier Islands provide critical habitat and are the first line of defense to not only day-to-day coastal erosion but also to the destructive forces of major storm events. There remains a critical need to develop cost-effective improvements to existing restoration methodologies that will enhance the successful establishment and spread of vegetation in these important restoration projects. Developing methodologies to enhance vegetation establishment and growth in barrier island restoration projects is important in this very stressful environment because healthy vegetative cover traps, binds, and stabilizes sand and sediment, thereby improving island integrity during storm and overwash events.

Project Goals

The purpose of this demonstration project was to test several technologies and/or products to enhance the cost-effective establishment and growth of key barrier island and salt marsh vegetation. Humic acid and broadcast fertilization regimes were applied. The humic acid amendment and broadcast fertilization regime techniques are intended to jump start and facilitate the rapid establishment and expansion of vegetation. Humic acid benefits were demonstrated in both intertidal and supratidal plantings, whereas broadcast fertilization benefits were only demonstrated in supratidal plantings.

Verify Date

1/15/2020
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Project Information

Project Type(s):

Other; Vegetative Planting

Project ID:

TE-0053

Basin(s):

Terrebonne

CPRA Program:

Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)

Federal Sponsor:

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

CPRA Project Phase:

Completed

Parish(es):

Terrebonne

Estimated Cost:

$ 2.2 million