St. George Island

Restoration

Species List

The St. George vegetation data from 1999 to 2006 suggest that storm surge and drought are the major drivers of vegetation change across the dune habitats (Miller, in review).  We have used this data to inform restoration work by asking which species are either minimally or positively affected after storms and drought.  We have identified six species (2 from each dune habitat) that exhibit appropriate dyanmical response to storms and drought and are currently testing their restoration potential: Fimbristylis spp. and Uniola paniculata from the foredune habitat, Centella asiatica and Sporobolus virginicus from the interdune habitat and Muhlenbergia capillaries and Schizachyrium maritimum from the backdune habitat. 

Below are brief descriptions of each species.

 

Foredune Species

     

       Fimbristylis spp. (either spathacea or caroliniana)
       Hurricane grass
       Family: Cyperaceae
       Graminoid, monocot, perennial

 

 

       Uniola paniculata
       Sea oats
       Family: Poaceae
       Graminoid, monocot, perennial

 

 

 

Interdune Species

          Centella asiatica
          Gotu Kola and Asiatic Pennywort
          Family: Mackinlayaceae
          Herbaceous, dicot, perennial

 

 

 

          Sporobolus virginicus
          Seashore dropseed
          Family: Poaceae
          Graminoid, monocot, perennial, C4

 

 

 

 

 

Backdune Species

            Muhlenbergia capillaris
           Gulf Muhly Grass, Pink Muhly
           Family: Poaceae
           Graminoid, monocot, perennial

 

 

 

          Schizachyrium maritimum
          Gulf bluestem
          Family: Poaceae
          Graminoid, monocot, perennial