What is the best vegetation to plant on sand dunes along the United
States Gulf coast to prevent erosion?

Greetings Tintphd,

I feel that the first thing you should do before attempting any
restoration planting is to contact the Environmental Protection
Agency, office of the Gulf Ecology Division, to see if you need
permission to weed and/or replant, or perhaps to inquire about joining
any volunteer group efforts ongoing in your area (should those exist)
since many dunes may be under state/federal ownership/control.  The
contact for the Gulf Ecology Division is
William H. Benson, DIRECTOR
1 Sabine Island Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
Telephone (850) 934-9208
Tele-Fax (850) 934-2406
mailto:benson.william@epa.gov
(From http://www.epa.gov/ged/overview_dw.htm)

Mr. Benson will probably be able to answer your questions as to the
best type of dune vegetation for your area. (Also, if there is a local
Extension Office near you, they too may have good info.)

******************************

Another possible information resource is an effort in Baldwin County, Alabama.
"The Baldwin County Grasses in Classes (BCGIC) program was started in
January 2005 to facilitate the establishment and maintenance of
nurseries by Baldwin County school students to grow native plants for
submerged, wetland and dune restoration projects."
http://www.gulfmex.org/crp5001.html
 
The contact for that project is
Margaret H. Sedlecky
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
US Hwy 98
Fairhope AL 36532
phone: (251) 928-9792
fax: (251) 928-1792
mailto:weeksbay@gulftel.com
Grasses in Classes Program (#5001) 

Should they be nurturing the types of seedlings you require, you might
be able to acquire some from them.

*********************************

Also, weeding may actually be the first pre-planting step:
"Panicum repens Torpedo Grass - Reportedly introduced from Australia,
this rapidly growing, aggressive grass occurs along the borders of the
Gulf of Mexico and chokes out other native species, particularly dune
plants. It can interfere with water movement in ditches and canals,
and limit recreational use of beach and shoreline areas."
http://www.usm.edu/gcrl/amrat/plant_survery.php

Here is a very large image of Panicum repens Torpedo Grass so you can
check your dune areas for it.
http://www.invasive.org/images/3072x2048/1391240.jpg
 
********************************

Following are some articles and programs regarding the gulf coast in
general that may also be of interest to you.

Improved Dune Plants Goal Of [LSU] AgCenter Research
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/environment/conservation/wetlands/Improved+Dune+Plants+Goal+Of+LSU+AgCenter+Research.htm

UF Scientist Seeks Super Sea Oats
http://news.ufl.edu/1999/02/04/sea-oats/

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, North Gulf Coast Initiative
http://www.nfwf.org/programs/north_gulf_coast.cfm

Barrier Shoreline Restoration [LA]
http://www.coast2050.gov/barrier_island.htm

Restoration of Barrier Island Dunes with Composite Plantings [UF]
http://wfrec.ufl.edu/community_ecology/dunes.htm


Since you did not specify your exact area, I don't want to guess what
type plants are indigenous there. If you will provide me with your
area information via the clarification process, I will be happy to do
additional research for dune vegetation in the area you specify, and
to see if there is an Extension Office near you.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

gulf coast dune vegetation
gulf coast dune ecology
gulf coast dune restoration
federal ecology gulf mexico
sea oat seedlings gulf
gulf coast sea oats sowing OR seeding

Great answer. I have been really busy, sorry for the late reply but
this is why I think google answers may work for me.