ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF TOLERANCE OF SALINITY AND INUNDATION BY SPARTINA-MARITIMA

Laboratory studies of Spartina maritima Curtis (Fernald) showed that s tem and leaf elongation did not differ significantly for completely su bmerged or tidally inundated plants, Growth was reduced for dry treatm ents and at salinity levels greater than 35 ppt. S. maritima is absent from periodically closed South African estuaries which may be attribu ted to the requirement for tidal flooding and saturated substrates. Wh ere S. maritima occurs in estuaries, it is important that freshwater s hould be discharged in such a manner as to maintain an open mouth in o rder to achieve the essential tidal flushing.