Trajectories of vegetative parameters at Poplar Island tidal marsh restoration cells

<jats:p>This special report presents trajectories derived from multiple vegetative parameters at Poplar Island, a marsh restoration project in Chesapeake Bay using beneficially used fine-grained, nutrient-rich dredged material from upper Chesapeake Bay. Long-term datasets of four vegetative metrics from seven fine-grained marsh restoration “cells,” ranging in age from 3 to 19 years postplanting, illustrate that aboveground vegetative growth is rapid but subject to diebacks in early years, finally recovering and reaching an equilibrium level commensurate with or above nearby native marshes in roughly 7–8 years without adaptive management actions. Belowground biomass, in contrast, develops more slowly over time, without the initial burst of biomass. Comparisons with the one Poplar Island cell created with sandy dredged material indicate a different trajectory pattern, with below-ground biomass stronger in early years, and the aboveground biomass developing more gradually, but without the dieback events in years 2–4. These results suggest recommendations for restoration practitioners regarding the timing and criteria for monitoring and adaptive management.</jats:p>