Using dredged sediments to support wetland plant development in a constructed delta lake

Restoration efforts take place at large scales to improve the ecological value of degraded, modified river deltas. To anticipate on implications using dredged, estuarine sediment restore wetlands in deltas, we studied development Typha latifolia (cattail) and Phragmites australis (common reed) two designated dredged sediments, virgin Holocene clay (clay) eroded (mud), under different water levels (inundated, saturated, moist) a mesocosm experiment. The mud contained about times higher Fe, S, P content four N-total compared sediment. organic was comparable for both sediments. Sediment type influenced germination shoot growth T. latifolia, which were mud, but did not influence initial P. australis. Water level treatment effects plant response limited inundation conditions only; this condition strongly reduced seedling development. Both species developed significantly more above- belowground biomass when growing clay, however, their nutrient types. Overall, by composition australis, latter is vulnerable during early stages We conclude that types are suitable as developing macrophyte vegetation.