Abstract
This work supported the postulate that the height of Spartina alterniflora plants on salt marshes is a function of the total dissolved salt concentration of the underlying substrate. This hypothesis was tested by a combination of observations and perturbations. These activities led to the conclusion that the horizontal stability of the interstitial water allows the formation of interstitial salinity clines on the salt marsh. Pore water salinities are lowest near sources of estuarine or fresh water and highest in areas further removed (elevationally) from sources of low saline water. The growth of Spartina alterniflora is inversely related to the interstitial salinity along these clines. Growth is robust in low saline areas and weak in areas of high pore water salinity. A case for a causal relationship between interstitial salinity and Spartina growth forms is presented.
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