Coastal Areas

Emory H. Wellman, Bethany J. Lee, andAnna Braswell

In this publication, we describe methods commonly used to restore salt marshes, particularly those dominated by smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and commonly found along the Gulf and East Coasts of the United States. This publication will be of particular use to land managers and property owners whose land includes salt marsh habitat. Restoration methods described here are discussed in an order reflecting increasing costs, effort, and spatial scale, meaning that methods most applicable to owners of small coastal properties will be listed first. We also provide a table summarizing the goal, advantages, and disadvantages of each method for quick reference.

Jesse Crawford, Ollie Montgomery, Marjorie Shropshire, Vincent Encomio, Savanna Barry, Laura K. Reynolds, Christine Rohal, Christine Rohal, Xiao Yu, Ashley McDonald, Holly Abeels, Annie Roddenberry, andCarrie Reinhardt Adams

The goal of this publication is to provide a roadmap of UF/IFAS and internet-accessible resources to living shorelines that will help coastal property owners or natural resource practitioners focused on coastal management. This information applies to the implementation of living shorelines on both private and managed lands. Across Florida, living shorelines are becoming a frequently used management tool for shoreline protection. Coastal armoring, in the form of seawalls, bulkheads, and concrete riprap, create an unnatural barrier to natural processes and can exacerbate sediment loss. As an alternative, living shorelines are shoreline stabilization methods that use planted vegetation and/or oyster reefs, sometimes in combination with other structures, to protect coastal properties. To most effectively plan a living shoreline, knowing when and where to start can be difficult. This publication maps out the broad steps for developing a living shoreline from start to finish.