CICEET Progress Report for the period 3/15/05 Through 9/15/05

Project Title: The Mechanical Seeding of Marine Sediments for the Restoration of Zostera marina L. Habitat
Principal Investigator(s): Scott Nixon, Stephen Granger, and Michael Traber

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks
Our stated tasks for this reporting period included the construction of the second volume of our "How-To" pamphlet series. The information contained in the pamphlet is designed to extend methods described in our first pamphlet, which covers the collection and storage of Zostera marina L seeds. In the second volume we have covered techniques distributing seeds for the restroration of seagrass habitat. The last chapter of the pamphlet will cover seed distribution techniques that are presently used in other locations along the Eastern Atlantic Seashore. Each technique will be described and the advantages and disadvantages discussed.

Progress on Tasks
We have recently completed a replicated side by side test of three seeding techniques with our VIM colleagues. The group from VIMS, under the direction of Bob Orth, secured funding from the Army Corps of Engineers to perform a comparison of hand-casted, hand-planted and sled planted seeds under field conditions. The VIMS group selected three sites ( York River, lower Chesapeake Bay and a seaside coastal pond) that have been seeded in previous years and have demonstrated the ability to successfully germinate seagrass seeds. Triplicate one m2 plots for each application technique were bounded by pvc stakes and located with GPS coordinates. One of the three seeding techniques was used to seed each of the plots. Monitoring will occur in the spring of 2006. While the pamphlet will be completed by the time seed germination is measured, the logistics of the methods described can be covered in detail when the pamphlet is completed.

In addition we have a contacted Chris Pickeral of the Cornell Extension group for a description of the seeding method used in Peconic Bay, NY. He has agreed to provide a description of this method for the pamphlet. While CICEET funded the development of the seeding sled a comparison of present seeding techniques will add alternatives to those involved in restoration efforts and will supplement the information contained in the first volume of the “How-To” pamphlets.

Difficulties Encountered
There were no substantial difficulties encountered during this reporting period.

Preliminary Data
There is no preliminary data for this report.

Tasks and Activities for Next Reporting Period
Task 1: I anticipate the completion/publication of the final task of this project within next two months. The printing and circulation of the second volume of our "How-to" series will complete this project’s tasks. The Rhode Island SeaGrant Publications Department will handle the layout and final editing before sending a copy to CICEET for their review.

Concerns or Difficulties
None.

Expenditures
All of the work completed during this reporting period was within our projected budget and we do not anticipate any financial difficulty in completing this project.