Dying leaves of Spartina do not undergo abscission and consequently are partially degraded while still remaining on the shoot. With populations ranging from 45-100 individuals per meter squared, Littorina, who graze on the fungi in the dying leaves and thus speed up decomposition, may have a positive effect on Spartina production. They may not only expidite the nutrient turnover rate in the salt marshes but may also provide a means of increasing the decomposition rate of the Spartina leaves which would lead to greater sunlight exposure and greater productivity. In this study I intend to investigate the extent of Littorina's effects.