Dataset: TEN Biomass Weights Spring 2018

Field collection procedures:
Haphazardly select 10 locations to sample with a PVC core. At each location, carefully place the PVC core (15cm diameter) on the sediment surface. It is extremely important to check both the inside and outside edges of the PVC ring to ensure that seagrass leaves are not trapped underneath. If there are leaves inside the ring that originate from shoots outside the PVC ring, carefully pull these leaves out. Conversely, if there are leaves outside the PVC ring that originate from shoots inside the ring, carefully pull these leaves inside. Only after this has been completed, insert the ring 10cm into the sediment while simultaneously twisting the core to sever belowground rhizomes. Carefully remove the core and place all captured aboveground and belowground vegetative biomass into a mesh bag. Gently shake the bag underwater to remove loosely attached sediment.

Lab processing procedures for weight data:
Separate the aboveground green leaf material (Thalassia blades) with a razor blade from the belowground sheath. Arrange the green leaf material on a glass plate, and gently slide a razor blade down the length of both sides of each leaf of the shoot to remove attached epiphytes. Make sure you have removed all epiphytic material (including calcareous algae). Set aside the epiphytic material. Place the scraped leaves into a single foil tare, and label the foil. Now turn your attention to the belowground biomass. Rinse to remove all sediment. Carefully separate live root and rhizome biomass and place each into a separate foil tare. This material will be dried and used for estimating initial seagrass biomass and nutrient content. Any additional vegetative biomass (macroalgae and other seagrass species), including the epiphytic algae scraped off the seagrass can be placed in separate aluminum tares for drying. After samples are dry (48 hours) record weights.