Evaluating the influence of sediment microbial community composition and salinity on smooth cordgrass (Sporabolus alterniflorus) seedling survival and growth

We propose to conduct a manipulative lab and field experiment to determine how sediment microbial communities and salinity affect the survival and growth of S. alterniflorus seedlings. S. alterniflorus seeds will be collected from Carteret and Onslow Counties, NC, and grown in lab and greenhouse settings. Following microbial and salinity treatments, seedlings will be planted on private and public North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF)-coordinated restoration sites. Growth and survival data will be collected and analyzed. Results will be communicated to NCCF and private and governmental landowners, presented at regional and national conferences, and submitted to peer-reviewed journals for publication. As such, this research will directly influence restoration practices on these and other sites.

Scholars @ ECU