Marsh vegetation is widely considered to offer protection against coastal storm damage, and vegetated flow has thus become a key area of hydrodynamic research. This study investigates the utility of simulated Spartina alterniora marsh vegetation as storm protection using an ADV measurement technique, and is the first to apply jet self-similarity analysis to characterize the overall mean and turbulent flow properties of a three-dimensional axisymmetric jet through a vegetated array. The mean axial flow of a horizontal axisymmetric turbulent jet is obstructed by three configurations of staggered arrays of vertical rigid plant stems. The entire experiment is repeated over five sufficiently high jet Reynolds number conditions to ensure normalization and subsequent collapse of data by nozzle velocity so that experimental error is obtained. All self-similarity parameters for the unobstructed free jet correspond to typical published values: the axial decay coefficient B is 5:8 +/- 0:2, the Gaussian spreading coefficient c is 85 +/- 5, and the halfwidth spreading rate eta_(1/2) is 0:093 +/- 0:003. Upon the introduction of vegetation, from partially obstructed to fully obstructed, B falls from 5:1+/- 0:2 to 4:2 +/- 0:2 and finally 3:7 +/-0:1 for the fully obstructed case, indicating that vegetation reduces axial jet velocity. Cross-sectionally averaged momentum for the unobstructed free jet is M=M0 = 1:05 +/- 0:07, confirming conservation of momentum. Failure of conservation of momentum is most pronounced in the fully obstructed scenario – M=M0 = 0:54 +/- 0:05. The introduction of vegetation increases spreading of the impinging jet. The entrainment coefficient alpha for the free jet case is 0.0575; in the fully obstructed case, alpha = 0:0631. Mean advection of mean and turbulent kinetic energy demonstrates an expected reduction in turbulence intensity within the vegetated array. In general, turbulent production decreases as axial depth of vegetation increases, though retains the bimodal profile of the free jet case; the fully vegetated case, however, exhibits clear peaks behind plant stems. Turbulent transport was shown to be unaffected by vegetation and appears to be primarily a function of axial distance from the jet nozzle. An analysis of rate of dissipation revealed that not only does the cumulative effect of upstream wakes overall depress the magnitude of spectral energy density across all wavenumbers but also that plant stems dissipate large anisotropic eddies in centerline streamwise jet flow. This study, thus, indicates that sparse emergent vegetation both reduces axial flow velocity and has a dissipative effect on jet flow. Typically, however, storm surge does not exhibit the lateral spreading demonstrated by an axisymmetric jet; therefore, the results of this study cannot conclusively support the claim that coastal vegetation reduces storm surge axial velocity.

The effect of cattle grazing on the abundance and distribution of vegetation, burrowing crabs (Uca rapax, Uca pugnax, and Sesarma cinereum), marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata), horn snails (Cerithidea pliculosa), and salt marsh snails (Melampus bidentatus) was evaluated over four seasons (summer 2000, fall 2000, winter 2001, and spring 2001) in grazed and ungrazed treatments. A Galveston Island salt marsh adjacent to Snake Island Cove was sampled at five elevations, from the water's edge to the high tidal flats. Data were analyzed for statistical differences using a two-way ANOVA in SAS. Cattle grazing may affect the vegetation and macroinvertebrate communities in salt marshes through trampling and herbivory. Vegetation resources available to other herbivores are decreased by the direct consumption of plant material by cattle. Spartina alterniflora and Salicornia virginica heights were significantly greater in ungrazed treatments than grazed for every season in the edge, upper, and middle elevation zones. Total aerial vegetative cover was also reduced significantly in grazed treatments, with the greatest impact in the edge and upper marsh. In the ungrazed treatments, S. alterniflora stem density was significantly greater in edge elevations, while both S. virginica percent cover and stem density in the edge elevation was greater. Burrowing crab populations were greater in the upper marsh and edge habitat of ungrazed treatments, while significantly greater in most of the middle marsh habitats of the grazed treatment. Size of burrowing crabs was generally significantly greater in ungrazed treatments. Cerithidea pliculosa size decreased in grazed treatments, but population had an overall increase in grazed treatments. Littoraria irrorata had very few differences between treatments, although few specimens were found. Melampus bidentatus populations were too small to evaluate thoroughly. Macroinvertebrate populations could be used to assess the overall health of grazed salt marshes.

The effect of cattle grazing on the abundance and distribution of vegetation, burrowing crabs (Uca rapax, Uca pugnax, and Sesarma cinereum), marsh periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata), horn snails (Cerithidea pliculosa), and salt marsh snails (Melampus bidentatus) was evaluated over four seasons (summer 2000, fall 2000, winter 2001, and spring 2001) in grazed and ungrazed treatments. A Galveston Island salt marsh adjacent to Snake Island Cove was sampled at five elevations, from the water's edge to the high tidal flats. Data were analyzed for statistical differences using a two-way ANOVA in SAS. Cattle grazing may affect the vegetation and macroinvertebrate communities in salt marshes through trampling and herbivory. Vegetation resources available to other herbivores are decreased by the direct consumption of plant material by cattle. Spartina alterniflora and Salicornia virginica heights were significantly greater in ungrazed treatments than grazed for every season in the edge, upper, and middle elevation zones. Total aerial vegetative cover was also reduced significantly in grazed treatments, with the greatest impact in the edge and upper marsh. In the ungrazed treatments, S. alterniflora stem density was significantly greater in edge elevations, while both S. virginica percent cover and stem density in the edge elevation was greater. Burrowing crab populations were greater in the upper marsh and edge habitat of ungrazed treatments, while significantly greater in most of the middle marsh habitats of the grazed treatment. Size of burrowing crabs was generally significantly greater in ungrazed treatments. Cerithidea pliculosa size decreased in grazed treatments, but population had an overall increase in grazed treatments. Littoraria irrorata had very few differences between treatments, although few specimens were found. Melampus bidentatus populations were too small to evaluate thoroughly. Macroinvertebrate populations could be used to assess the overall health of grazed salt marshes.