Abstract
An innovative method applicable to saltmarsh habitat restoration using dredged sediment was tested. Biodegradable wooden sluice boxes were placed in eroded “pits” or pools in the damaged saltmarsh and dredged sediment was pumped to fill these pits up to the level suitable for saltmarsh flora colonisation. The sluice boxes were used to carefully control volumes and dewatering of dredged material to maximise the resultant fill level. Sediment was left to settle during periods of high tide and water was prevented from entering and mixing the deposited sludge. During low tide, the supernatant was drained off, enabling more material to be deposited. This technique helped develop a layer of substrate for pioneer halophytes to colonise, without loss of material through natural entrainment and deposition back into source sites. Increases in colonisation, consolidation, shear strength and bulk density of the newly placed sediment proved the suitability of this technique for habitat restoration.
Highlights
Saltmarsh can be defined as an intertidal area which is flooded and drained by salt water during tidal cycles, supporting a diverse range of halophytic flora and micro, meso, and macro fauna
This paper reports on the results of successful saltmarsh flora colonisation of previously damaged pits within the habitat, across four winter dredging campaigns and habitat restoration works from 20162020
The pumping of dredged sediment into the St. Osyth Borrow Pits (SOP) and Cindery West resulted in initial consolidation and pioneer biocolonisation of saltmarsh flora
Summary
Saltmarsh can be defined as an intertidal area which is flooded and drained by salt water during tidal cycles, supporting a diverse range of halophytic flora and micro, meso, and macro fauna. Human coastal development and associated coastal squeeze has reduced the size and number of mature saltmarsh habitats since the 19th century [6]. To combat this decline, various programmes have been developed to restore and conserve this unique habitat. Saltmarsh geomorphological properties, such as soil cohesiveness and shear strength are unique and location specific [7]. The Isles Dernieres, LA, USA, transgressive barrier which failed to develop saltmarsh flora This was found to be caused by the use of non-site specific sediment with inappropriate geomorphological properties to initiate saltmarsh colonisation [8]
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