Experimental recovery rates of tidal marsh vegetation

We measured the response of plants to disturbance across a gradient in inundation times by transplanting tussocks of Schoenoplectus americanus into mesocosms of different elevation in two marsh organ platforms. Both organs were planted on April 11, 2012 and harvested on August 21, 2012. Plants in one organ were disturbed by clipping all above ground vegetation on June 20 2012 (62 days), and left undisturbed in a control organ. Plant stems were clipped at the soil surface to isolate standing above ground material, and sorted into live and dead fractions by species. Above ground biomass was washed and dried at 70°C to a constant weight.