Raymond L. Hinkle, URS Corp. Kenneth A. Strait, PSEG Services Corp. Brenda Q. Evans, PSEG Services Corp. An Analysis of the Variability in Tidal Marsh An Analysis of the Variability in Tidal Marsh Vegetative cover and Production at Reference Vegetative cover and Production at Reference Marshes on Delaware Bay Marshes on Delaware Bay 1996 – 2005 1996 – 2005
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Raymond L. Hinkle, URS Corp. Kenneth A. Strait, PSEG Services Corp. Brenda Q. Evans, PSEG Services Corp.
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Raymond L. Hinkle, URS Corp.Kenneth A. Strait, PSEG Services Corp.Brenda Q. Evans, PSEG Services Corp.
An Analysis of the Variability in Tidal Marsh Vegetative cover An Analysis of the Variability in Tidal Marsh Vegetative cover and Production at Reference Marshes on Delaware Bayand Production at Reference Marshes on Delaware Bay
• Mad Horse Creek– Reference for Phragmites Dominated Sites– Oligohaline Marsh– No Prior Disturbances– Mature Marsh Community– 3,942 Acres
Vegetation Cover Mapping 1996 - 2005
• Based on Annual CIR/True Color Photography• Acquired in Peak Season• Georeferenced Orthophotos• Vegetation Cover Categories
– Spartina spp. / Other Desirable Marsh Vegetation– Phragmites australis Dominated Vegetation– Non-vegetated Marsh Plain– Internal Water Areas– Open Water
• Each Category Comprised of Numerous Cover Types
Moores Beach West Reference Marsh Percent Coverage 1996 - 2005
Interim Spartina Success Criteria Final Spartina Success Criteria
Final Phragmites Success Criteria
Marsh Production sampling 1996 - 2005
• Based on Field Data Collection from Plots and Transects• Acquired in Peak Season• Individual Species Determinations• Samples Processed to Yield grams dry weight/ square
meter
Annual Production Within Plots at Mad Horse Creek
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
Pro
du
cti
on
(g
dw
/m2 )
Mad Horse Plots
Annual Production Within Plots at Mad Horse Creek and Alloway Creek
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
Pro
du
cti
on
(g
dw
/m2 )
Mad Horse Plots
Alloway Creek Watershed Plots
Annual Production Along Transects at Moores Beach West
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
Pro
du
cti
on
(g
dw
/m2 )
Moores Beach Transects
Annual Production Along Transects at Moores Beach West and Dennis Township
0
250
500
750
1000
1250
1500
1750
2000
2250
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
Pro
du
cti
on
(g
dw
/m2 )
Moores Beach Transects
Dennis Township Transects
Conclusions
• PSEG Estuary Enhancement Program has provided 10-year Reference Marsh Database
• Variability in both Coverage Primarily Related to Phragmites Expansion
• Success of Restoration Sites can be Evaluated on the Basis of these Data