Non-Destructive Estimation of Aboveground Biomass in Sawgrass Communities of the Florida Everglades

Abstract

The preservation, restoration, and management of ecologically sensitive wetland plant communities, such as found in the Florida Everglades, require methods to reliably and non-destructively assess their health and performance. The pin-intercept method is a technique commonly used in grasslands for non-destructively estimating aboveground plant biomass. In this study, we developed an algorithm for the estimation of aboveground sawgrass biomass using coupled pin-intercept and harvest methods at A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Our data illustrates a positive relationship between aboveground biomass and the frequency of pin-intercepts as well as leaf area for sawgrass (Cladium mariscus). This pin-intercept method will serve as an effective, reliable tool for conservation and land management efforts in graminoid-dominated wetlands.