Weirs Closed

[Smalls]

J, I don't know what to tell you man. I'll ask you the same questions I asked W (which I got no answer to btw). Do you know the difference between oystergrass and wiregrass? Or between wiregrass and jamaican sawgrass? I'm not trying to be a smartass, just trying to make a point. The vegetation composition was different historically from what it is now.

Yeah, short term spikes happen, and its not going to kill the grass. That isn't the purpose of the weirs. The weirs were put in to decrease or hold in check a long term increase in salinity. It is the long term increase in salinity that is detrimental to a marsh, not the short term.

As far as hogs go, yeah, you're right, they are tearing up the marsh. What does that have to do with the weirs though?

I've said it before, I've got plenty of reports and papers on the marsh, and there are plenty more to be found online. It's just a matter of who wants to read them.

It is clear I can't say anything that is going to change your opinion. I don't know what I said to make you think I'm belittling you, because I'm not. I've also never said I was an authority on the issue either; that is the assumption everyone jumps to. I'm just speaking from my experiences and research.

But for God's sake, can anyone on here tell me the difference between oystergrass, wiregrass, and jamaican sawgrass?

["W"]

Originally Posted by Smalls

J, I don't know what to tell you man. I'll ask you the same questions I asked W (which I got no answer to btw). Do you know the difference between oystergrass and wiregrass? Or between wiregrass and jamaican sawgrass? I'm not trying to be a smartass, just trying to make a point. The vegetation composition was different historically from what it is now.

Yeah, short term spikes happen, and its not going to kill the grass. That isn't the purpose of the weirs. The weirs were put in to decrease or hold in check a long term increase in salinity. It is the long term increase in salinity that is detrimental to a marsh, not the short term.

As far as hogs go, yeah, you're right, they are tearing up the marsh. What does that have to do with the weirs though?

I've said it before, I've got plenty of reports and papers on the marsh, and there are plenty more to be found online. It's just a matter of who wants to read them.

It is clear I can't say anything that is going to change your opinion. I don't know what I said to make you think I'm belittling you, because I'm not. I've also never said I was an authority on the issue either; that is the assumption everyone jumps to. I'm just speaking from my experiences and research.

But for God's sake, can anyone on here tell me the difference between oystergrass, wiregrass, and jamaican sawgrass?

Is this close?

[Reggoh]

Originally Posted by Smalls

But for God's sake, can anyone on here tell me the difference between oystergrass, wiregrass, and jamaican sawgrass?

I've been following this post because it has been fairly educational for someone like myself that doesn't have a background as a fishing guide, marsh restoration specialist, fish biologist, or wetlands biologist.

But for God's sake, can you please explain why you keep asking this question?

It was starting to frustrate me so I decided to look up these plants. The only one I could find is the Jamiacan Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense)... the other two I can't even find a reference to them online.

Spill the beans... what's the importance? Or is it only important that the average joe person doesn't know the difference so we aren't qualified to have an opinion?

[Smalls]

Originally Posted by Reggoh

It was starting to frustrate me so I decided to look up these plants. The only one I could find is the Jamiacan Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense)... the other two I can't even find a reference to them online.

Spill the beans... what's the importance? Or is it only important that the average joe person doesn't know the difference so we aren't qualified to have an opinion?

Sorry, I was using the names that most people are familiar with. The accepted name of oystergrass is Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and the accepted name of wiregrass is marshhay cordgrass (Spartina patens).

The Spartinas are more salt hardy species. The difference is, S. alterniflora can tolerate more water than S. patens can. The two forms dominant different parts of the marsh. Patens typically dominates high marsh, Alterniflora dominates the lower marsh. In an natural setting, Patens will be limited in where it grows by water, while it will limit where Alterniflora can grow.

[Reggoh]

Originally Posted by Smalls

Sorry, I was using the names that most people are familiar with. The accepted name of oystergrass is Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and the accepted name of wiregrass is marshhay cordgrass (Spartina patens).

The Spartinas are more salt hardy species. The difference is, S. alterniflora can tolerate more water than S. patens can. The two forms dominant different parts of the marsh. Patens typically dominates high marsh, Alterniflora dominates the lower marsh. In an natural setting, Patens will be limited in where it grows by water, while it will limit where Alterniflora can grow.

I think most people that fish and hunt around Southwest LA know that there are plants that are more or less susceptible to saltwater intrusion... we may not know all the technical stuff but I think we get the gist.

Onward with the discussion!!