Seabeach Amaranth and Renourished Beaches in North Carolina

1
Seabeach Amaranthand Renourished Beaches in
North Carolina
2
Seabeach AmaranthAmaranthus pumilus

• Summer annual
• Seeds germinate April July
• Plants may reach 3 to 4 feet across
• Seed production July death
• one plant may produce several thousand seeds
• Good seed dispersal

3
Seabeach amaranth
4
Historic Range
Boston
Washington

• Charleston

5
Seabeach Amaranth

• Historically occurred in 31counties and 9 states
• Had been eliminated from 2/3 of its historical
  range
• Listed as Threatened by the USFW in 1993
• Restoration efforts are currently underway

6
Seabeach amaranth is considered to be a indicator
species of a healthy beach landscape.
Embryonic dune formation
7
birds feed on seeds
8
Threats

• Habitat loss
• Sea walls, revetments
• Beach erosion
• Hurricanes
• Beach grooming
• Off-road vehicles
• Herbivory by insects
• Pedestrian traffic

9
Preferred Habitat

• Barrier island beaches
• Accreting areas near inlets
• Lower foredunes
• Upper beach strand
• Seems to prefer dry sand beach with elevation 4
  to 6 feet above MHW

10
Suitable habitat is critical!
In the Carolinas, sea turtles also nest in this
habitat.
11
Ideal seabeach amaranth habitat
12
Beach Renourishment

• Projects have impacts on seabeach amaranth.
• May have long-term benefits
• Winter placement of sand on beaches is most
  compatible with seabeach amaranth.

13
Beach Renourishment

• Habitat restoration
• Adequate beach elevation
• Seabeach amaranth seed source?
• -Seed bank from historic populations

14
Beach Renourishment

• Large numbers of seabeach amaranth plants have
  been found following renourishment projects on
• Bogue Banks
• Pine Knoll Shores 0 plants in 2000 following
  renourishment in 2001/2002 779 plants in 2002,
  and 2690 plants in 2003
• Ocean Isle Beach
• Oak Island
• Wrightsville Beach

15
(No Transcript)
16
Beach Renourishment

• Some renourished beaches may lack seed bank
  containing seabeach amaranth.
• Carolina Beach
• Bald Head Island
• Introduction of seedlings grown from indigenous
  seed source will build seed bank.
• Enhancement of beach renourishment projects
• Mitigation for coastal projects

17
Seedling Production
18
Seedling production
19
Seabeach Amaranth restoration efforts are
workingBeach Renourishment can provide suitable
habitat for this species
20
Changing GearsA plant to avoid using near the
dunes
21
Roundleaf VitexVitex rotundifolia

• Originated in Korea
• Invasive
• Encroaches into habitat of native dune species
• May impact suitable seabeach amaranth and sea
  turtle nesting habitat

22
Beach Vitex
23
Beach Vitex
24
Special Thanks to

• Ed Eudaly - USFWS Charleston
• Greg Rudi Rudolph - Carteret County
• Doug Piatowski - USACE Wilmington
• Town of Oak Island

25
For additional help

• David Nash
• Extension Agent Coastal Management Commercial
  Horticulture
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension - New
  Hanover County Center
• 6206 Oleander Drive
• Wilmington, NC 28403
• Phone [phone]
• Email david_nash_at_ncsu.edu