Raymond L. Hinkle, URS Corp. Kenneth A. Strait, PSEG Services Corp. Brenda Q. Evans, PSEG Services...

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

1996 – 20051996 – 2005

PSEG Estuary Enhancement ProgramWetland Restoration

• Diked Salt Hay Farm Sites (NJ)– Dennis Township– Maurice River Township– Commercial Township

• Phragmites Dominated Sites (NJ & DE)– Alloway Creek Watershed– Cohansey River Watershed– Cedar Swamp– The Rocks

Reference Marshes

• Moores Beach West– Reference for Previously Diked Sites– Mesohaline Marsh– Naturally Restored (1972)– 1,257 Acres

• 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

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Year

Per

cen

t o

f T

ota

l M

arsh

MBW Desirable Marsh Vegetation MBW Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

Moores Beach West / Dennis Township Percent Coverage 1996 - 2005

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Year

Per

cen

t o

f T

ota

l M

arsh

DT Spartina / Other Desirable Marsh Vegetation DT Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

MB Spartina / Other Desirable Marsh Vegetation MB Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

Interim Spartina Success Criteria Final Spartina Success Criteria

Final Phragmites Success Criteria

Moores Beach West / Maurice River Township Percent Coverage 1996 - 2005

-10%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Year

Per

cen

t o

f T

ota

l M

arsh

MRT Desirable Marsh Vegetation MRT Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

MB Spartina / Other Desirable Marsh Vegetation MB Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

Interim Spartina Success Criteria Final Spartina Success Criteria

Final Phragmites Success Criteria

Mad Horse Creek 2005 Orthophotograph

Mad Horse Creek 2005 Orthophotograph

Mad Horse Creek 2005 Orthophotograph

Mad Horse Creek Reference Marsh Percent Coverage 1996 - 2005

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Year

Per

cen

t o

f T

ota

l M

arsh

MHC Desirable Marsh Vegetation MHC Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

Mad Horse Creek/Alloway Creek Percent Coverage 1996 - 2005

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005Year

Per

cen

t o

f T

ota

l M

arsh

ACW Desirable Marsh Vegetation ACW Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

MHC Desirable Marsh Vegetation MH Phragmites Dominated Vegetation

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