Tree spade transplanting of Spartina pectinata (Link) and Eleocharis macrostachya (Britt.) in a prairie wetland restoration site

Clonal vegetation was transplanted in an attempt to increase plant species diversity at a wetland restoration in northeast Kansas, USA. A total of 107 plugs of wetland sod were relocated to the 6.9 ha floodplain site from a l ocal wetland in April 1994, using a 60 cm tractor-mounted tree spade. Peren nial and clonal species were selected based on their regional suitability f or prairie wetlands and their presence in adjacent wetlands. Four growing s easons after transplanting, the survival of the plugs was over 90%. Of the 107 transplants, 27 plugs were Spartina pectinata L. (eastern cordgrass) an d 18 plugs were Eleocharis macrostachya Britt. (spikerush). The objective o f our study was to determine the extent of transplant spread, and effect of micro topography on this spread. The area of each transplanted plug was de termined in October 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Mean area of S. pectinata pl ugs was 0.51 m(2) in 1994 and increased annually to reach 1.57 m(2) in 1997 . Mean area of E. macrostachya was 2.19 m(2) in 1994 and increased annually to reach 26.4 m(2) in 1997. Elevation and the resulting water depth affect ed transplant spread of both species (P < 0.05), with S. pectinata spreadin g most at shallow (maximum depth 0.11-0.20 m) water levels within the site and E. macrostachya spreading most in medium (maximum depth 0.21-0.30 m) an d deep (maximum depth 0.31-0.40 m) water levels. Survival and spread of the se transplants indicate that the tree spade technique is useful for enhanci ng vegetation in restorations, especially for restoring clonal species that may be difficult to establish via seeding. ((C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.