In Guana marsh, research sheds new light on old Florida environment

To some folks, watching grass grow could seem sort of tedious, especially if they just planted it.

Ask Andrea Small about it, however, and it could lead to insights on subjects from saving shorelines to cutting carbon emissions.

Thats the cool part, said Small, surrounded by acre after acre of marsh grass near Guana Lake in St. Johns County. The ratio of how much you have to take versus how much you benefit, because it is a fast-growing plant its such a good return.

Exactly what the ratio is really isnt clear yet, but it could be fairly soon.

Small, manager of the states Northeast Florida Aquatic Preserves, is overseeing a two-year project to draw scientific lessons on growing and harvesting the saltmarsh cordgrass that lines miles of First Coast waterfront.

The project was launched last month with a $10,000 federal grant to cover the cost to monitor grasses, restore two acres as a demonstration and publish a guide on best practices for cultivating the cordgrass, known formally as Spartina alterniflora.

Spartina is used a lot now in places that arent natural, from highway berms and ridges to manicured golf courses, said Forest Beeman, vice president of Beemans Nursery in New Smyrna Beach.

Thats okay, Beeman said, if someones ready to water the stand of grass regularly and tend it carefully.

But thats not the life cordgrass was built for, or the muddy, crawly environment where it flourishes.

Its in the muck, it seems, where Spartina is most precious.

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In Guana marsh, research sheds new light on old Florida environment