Phragmites - invasive or resilient? Depends on the amount love and creativity invested.

[Alexander Betser]

Although considered an invasive https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmites#Invasive_status it has a few benefits https://georgesworkshop.blogspot.com/2015/01/uses-for-phragmites.html. The main idea is to harness resiliency of this plant by selecting where it grows and by reusing biomass. Please feel free to contribute your ideas.

Beds could be pruned/restrained to form bays and wave barriers around the eroding JB islands. https://www.kauriparknurseries.co.nz/floating-wetlands-protecting-shorelines/

Plants can be grown on top of artificial platforms made from floating marine debris and abandoned boats strapped together and anchored throughout the bay but away from navigation channels. In shallow areas mooring can be constructed with pipe sleeves and piles recovered from broken piers that have washed ashore. Underwater surface can be a shellfish habitat https://www.biomimicryne.org/fort-point-channel

Roots can remove nutrients brought by CSO and storm-water runoff https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/how-to-build-a-floating-trash-island.html (made from floating debris) 

Biomass pruned from cleared areas could be used for something. At least for compost, carbon capture.

Least but not last: oxygen anyone?

Process: 

- onsite or near-site assembly from locally sourced debris

- onsite planting with local sediment and species borrowed from existing beds. Alternatively, sediment-filled frames can be positioned near the existing beds until vegetation propagates naturally and then tugged to a target site.

Space:

- Waterfront shed with dock.

Materials:

- free floating debris for artificial beds and piles

- free sinkable debris for anchors

- free straps recovered from industrial/construction garbage or purchased. Alternatively straps can be cut from from locally sourced plastic bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P72VjYf9reQ.

- purchased mooring cables

Tools:

- personal protective equipment (gloves, glasses, life jackets, waders)

- general carpentry tools

- wire knotting tools like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_FtdXw4zTE&t=321s

- selected landscaping tools like shovel, sickle

- motorized flatbed boat or dingy

- portable radio?

People:

- full time squad of 3-4 laborers with some mechanical skills

- one part time marine biologist

- one administrator/accountant

What can be the source of financing for this terraforming process?

Thank you

[Alexander Betser]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/world-economic-forum_refugees-innovation-activity-6640213383373172736-UTrW

I didn't think of mattress as a starter mat for growing floaters but the first thought was the toxicity. Fire retardants, manufacturing process residue and etc. Then I thought that 1000 refugees can't be wrong by growing food on this media so I guess it's safe enough for landscaping use. 

How about degradation into micro plastic?

Thank you

[Alexander Betser]

Hi All!

Inspired by the floating planters idea (quoted below) and the https://www.facebook.com/20292388081/videos/443732980070774 here's the sunken planters idea 🤣: elastic 3D mesh of trunks and branches moored in the intertidal zone to prevent coastal erosion by absorbing wave energy and to increase sand sedimentation by slowing reciprocal wave currents. Once covered by the sediment such mesh becomes overgrown by plants that further retain sand and form a dune.

Lifecycle: first layer of mesh is built  on or below the high tide line. Mesh is either rigidly secured to evenly distributed piles or just loosely tied to an upland piles/anchors to allow self-setting but prevent detachment. The goal is to be touched by waves but still remain aground most of the time. Mesh is decorated with flags or cones to warn beach goers and also to warn boaters if being detached from the shore. Width across the beach is determined by how far waves reach. Length along the beach is determined by the existing and desired beach shape as well as by usage patterns (people, horseshoe crabs, turtles). Mesh height (thickness) is determined by the structural stability and typical wave height. Use of waste material does not provide much control of the buoyancy but it's expected to be negative because mesh extends above the water level. Strong waves and high tides will eventually deform and relocate mesh into its stable position. As mesh gets covered by the sand, more sturdy material is secured on top of it. Mesh grows up and towards the water making the beach wider and more elevated. This process resembles the formation of a sanbar. Sand-covered mesh is then planted with elevation-appropriate plants to stabilize the sand. By controlling the location and direction of mesh growth, the beach can be formed into a flat, dune, cove or salt marsh. By the time wood and metal decompose the sand or soil is already held by roots. Stable materials like toilet bowls, bricks and concrete bars remain buried forever.

Cons:

- Risk of becoming navigational hazard if detached.

- Obstruction to horseshoe crabs, turtles, beach goers and watercraft landing.

- Messy look.

- Logistical challenges to transport supplies, tools and workforce to remote areas.

- Inspection and repair required.

Pros:

- Reuse of free (optionally biodegradable) waste materials. 

- Landfill diversion.

- Low tech.

- No disassembly, dismounting or relocation required.

- Moored objects can be used as anchors for guy-wires that stabilize perching platforms and telemetry towers.

Process:

- ongoing onsite assembly-inspection-annexation cycle

- optional onsite planting of seeds, plugs or saplings

Space:
- onsite or neighborhood tool shed

- pier if project is located on an island

Materials:

- any untreated wood or chemically stable sturdy materials. Large debris? Tires? Scrap metal? Boat fragments? Sailing rigs? Abandoned shopping carts?

- wire, rope or plastic ribbon to tie sturdy materials together.  

- free straps recovered from industrial/construction garbage or purchased. Alternatively straps can be cut from locally sourced plastic bottles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P72VjYf9reQ.

- purchased mooring cables

Tools:

- personal protective equipment (gloves, glasses, waders)

- saw

- mallet (or hand held pile driver)

- auger?

- axe

- wire knotting tool like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_FtdXw4zTE&t=321s

- beach cart

- pickup truck

- boat if project is located on an island

- shovel?
- portable radio?
- onsite portable tent to protect from sun and rain?

Expertise:
- labor

- driving/boating
- marine engineering

- coastal botany
- administrative and accounting

More inspiration:

- https://washawaybeachthisweek.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/tires-as-riprap.jpg

- https://hatchetnseed.ca/soil-bio-engineering-for-erosion-control/

- https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2020/09/624109/fighting-natures-might-%E2%80%93-scrap-tyres

- https://www.alamy.com/breakwater-in-north-rustico-harbor-pei-ca-cribwork-and-riprap-along-the-shore-for-coastline-protection-from-heavy-seas-in-the-gulf-of-st-lawrence-image354924806.html?p=180573

- https://www.alamy.com/breakwater-in-north-rustico-harbor-pei-ca-cribwork-and-riprap-along-the-shore-for-coastline-protection-from-heavy-seas-in-the-gulf-of-st-lawrence-image354924803.html

- https://www.hcn.org/articles/from-tijuana-with-tread

- https://www.tyremanmagazine.com/latest-news/posts/2020/september/tyres-fight-erosion-and-save-turtles/

Please share your opinion.

Thank you