7 minute read
The Bitter End
Danse Macabre
By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill
Advertisement
Welcome one and all to a new year! I'm sitting here on this 2nd day of January [way past his deadline ~ Editor] with temps hovering in the 20s, dreaming of summer. The reality of winter is setting in and I cringe at the fact that we still have a couple of months of this accursed weather to get through. However, as a naturalist and a realist, I know that with the winter comes a weird "Danse Macabre" in the marsh.
Since March or April our Spartina alternifl ora, what we commonly refer to as marsh grass, has been growing at a hyperactive rate. This robust smooth cordgrass is native as far north as
Newfoundland and southward to the northern part of Argentina. Growing on average between three and seven feet in a single season, it has distant cousins as diverse as bamboo and corn, which share in these accelerated growth patterns.
Through the summer Spartina goes about its daily business of providing a root structure that helps bind the marsh together. By fall it has matured, and then acts as a natural dampener for wave action caused by storms and hurricanes. With a stalk that is very supple and absorbs the driving forces of waves, it’s extremely important in protecting our environment as well as property.
From spring to fall, the marsh grass is busy; so busy in fact, that it’s considered the most valuable resource in our saltwater ecosystem. It serves as home, and acts as a nursery of sorts, to a myriad of fi shes and crustaceans, and provides the perfect hiding spot for what I call "Itty Bitties," sheltering them from the bigger predatory fi sh that would have their way with them.
In addition to being one of the healthiest saltwater marsh systems in the U.S., Georgia’s is also one of the largest, home to nearly one third of the remaining marshlands the U.S. This approximately half a million acres helps to create a healthy and viable habitat, not only for fi shes and other marine animals, but for a wide variety of birds as well. Each winter we see large numbers of migratory birds taking up their winter residence here in the lowcountry.
What makes this a magnet for all these creatures? It's simple: food.
When I’m doing tours I frequently use the term "crop" when I refer to Spartina. Just as corn or wheat are crops for us, so too is Spartina, for marsh inhabitants. With each acre producing three to seven tons or more of marsh grass, it’s the key ingredient in the vegetable soup of the marsh. These numbers are close to the same amount of dry matter for an acre of corn.
With all this being said, what does winter have to do with the dance?
If spring is considered a time of new birth, it stands to reason there’s also a time of death, and that’s where the Danse Macabre, or the Dance of Death, comes in. All of our lovely green Spartina turned a nice golden hue while it fl owered preparing for the coming year, but now winter has reared its ugly face, and what was once green and lush is now brown and coarse. For the next year this crop of grass will continue to break down with ultraviolet energy from the sun and wave action. High tides and the bigger spring tides will carry the nutrient-rich dead grass, or wrack, out of the marsh and into the waterways where it will be utilized by multiple species.
The marsh grass provides the slurry of life, a rich nutrient of detritus that will start feeding animals at the single cell level, diatoms, dinofl agellates, zooplankton, and a myriad of other ultra-small critters.
Every animal that lives in the saltwater marsh or visits to feed there owes its life to Spartina. On a much larger scale even the fi rst ten miles of ocean receives a staggering amount of nutrients that contribute to the well-being of a healthy coastal marine ecosystem.
I know some people belittle the DNR for their very active stance on protecting our saltwater marsh grasses. But without this stewardship, this ball of twine that is the marsh would unravel in a hurry. No Spartina = no redfi sh. No Spartina = no blue crabs. No Spartina … well you get the point. We've seen too much of our coastal wetlands developed and forever changed in the past and personally I prefer having the marsh. How about no Spartina = no balanced budget? Okay, so there’s a limit to even what Spartina can do. So, the next time you look at this innocuous green grass, look a little deeper and with a better understanding of what this little plant does for us, even in the heart of winter. Birth, life, death, rebirth.
Until next time, Happy New Year, and I'll see y'all on the water!
397 Squirrel Run
RINCON 30+ acres. Includes large home, garage and guest suite. Pool, Morton equipment barn, organic tree orchard, greenhouse and gardens grace the acreage. Additional 40+ acreage with horse barn, pastures and caretaker cottage available separately. $1,176,000
6 Modena Island Drive 3 BR, 2 BA
110 Robin Road 3 BR, 2 BA
49 Tidewater Road 3 BR, 2 BA MODENA ISLAND
This exclusive waterfront luxury home was redesigned and increased in size in 2015 and is located in a gated community. From the matching Savannah Grey Brick fireplaces to the exquisite, gourmet kitchen, no upgrade was forgotten. Just under 6800 square feet allows private space for all. Guest quarters on the first floor open majestically to a pool, fire pit and expansive waterfront views. The master suite with two closets is on the main floor and just one floor up is a media room, 3 BRs, 2 BAs and an office. Almost every room boasts a view. Entertain with formal flair or have drinks by the pool. $2,150,000
VERNONBURG
Perfect home situated on 1.5 acres with beautiful marsh and deep water views. Amazing master suite on the main floor with luxurious bath and huge closet. Two additonal bedrooms on this floor plus two BRs and bath upstairs. Very open floor plan featuring living room, great room, office, dining room, breakfast area and fantastic kitchen. Beautiful hardwood and porcelain floors. Lovely patio. You will fall in love. $699,500
ISLE OF HOPE
New construction on Isle of Hope. Located on a corner lot in desirable area. Great room with fireplace and built in book shelves. Two master suites, one down and one up. Third bedroom and huge bonus room upstairs. Jack-n-Jill bath allows access and privacy for all. Lovely side porch off of the kitchen. Swing on the fantastic front porch and watch the world go by. $479,000
HERB RIVER BEND
5 bedrooms plus a bonus room and 5.5 baths. This stunning brick home in sought-after gated community has it all, from the largest lush backyard in the area to private baths for each bedroom. Kitchen has all the upgrades you could want and butler’s pantry makes entertaining a breeze. Luxurious master on the first floor.
$749,000 6349 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 912.352.1222
Lyn McCuen 912.224.0927
lyn@coldwellbanker.com
BUCKHEAD
Live on the nicest street in Buckhead. 3 Bedrooms plus a bonus room with bath that could be a 4th bedroom. Split plan with 3 bedrooms downstairs. Renovated kitchen with granite counters, huge sink, under counter lighting and breakfast area. Spacious master bedroom with trey ceiling and patio access. Lovely deck with gazebo overlooking private back yard. $332,700
214 McLaughlin Court 3 BR, 2 BA
SOUTHBRIDGE
Nestled at the head of a lagoon on one of the most popular streets in Southbridge. Immaculate 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room or 4th bedroom, 3 baths. Fantastic open floor plan with all bedrooms on the main floor and bonus room with bath upstairs. Wonderful outdoor space with deck, patio & firepit overlooking the lagoon. Enjoy all of the amazing amenities Southbridge has to offer. $396,000
220 Mallard Loop 3 BR, 2 BA
BURNSIDE ISLAND
Buildable deep water lot with a dock and floating dock. Almost half an acre. Stunning views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Cleared and ready for your contractor. Bring your boat.
$475,000
101 Melinda Circle 3 BR, 2 BA
BURNSIDE ISLAND
Located on a deepwater canal with fantastic covered dock in a great area. Perfect for multi-generational living. 2 BR, 2 BA on ground floor with efficiency kitchen, playroom and living room. Separate 1 BR, 1 BA apartment. Main living area has 4 BR and 2 BA, soaring pine ceilings, and hardwood flooring. Huge great room, dining room, very open floor plan. $585,000
