On the suitability of an allometric proxy for nondestructive estimation of average leaf dry weight in eelgrass shoots I: sensitivity analysis and examination of the influences of data quality, analysis method, and sample size on precision

Héctor Echavarría-Heras,Enrique Villa-Diharce,Cecilia Leal-Ramírez,Nohe Cazarez-Castro

doi:10.1186/s12976-018-0076-y

Abstract

BackgroundThe effects of current anthropogenic influences on eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows are noticeable. Eelgrass ecological services grant important benefits for mankind. Preservation of eelgrass meadows include several transplantation methods. Evaluation of establishing success relies on the estimation of standing stock and productivity. Average leaf biomass in shoots is a fundamental component of standing stock. Existing methods of leaf biomass measurement are destructive and time consuming. These assessments could alter shoot density in developing transplants. Allometric methods offer convenient indirect assessments of individual leaf biomass. Aggregation of single leaf projections produce surrogates for average leaf biomass in shoots. Involved parameters are time invariant, then derived proxies yield simplified nondestructive approximations. On spite of time invariance local factors induce relative variability of parameter estimates. This influences accuracy of surrogates. And factors like analysis method, sample size and data quality also impact precision. Besides, scaling projections are sensitive to parameter fluctuation. Thus the suitability of the addressed allometric approximations requires clarification.ResultsThe considered proxies produced accurate indirect assessments of observed values. Only parameter estimates fitted from raw data using nonlinear regression, produced robust approximations. Data quality influenced sensitivity and sample size for an optimal precision.ConclusionsAllometric surrogates of average leaf biomass in eelgrass shoots offer convenient nondestructive assessments. But analysis method and sample size can influence accuracy in a direct manner. Standardized routines for data quality are crucial on granting cost-effectiveness of the method.

Highlights

The effects of current anthropogenic influences on eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows are noticeable
Number of replicates increased from a single association up to a largest value of 84
Contents of Appendix 1 corroborate this at formal level

Summary

Introduction

The effects of current anthropogenic influences on eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows are noticeable. Existing methods of leaf biomass measurement are destructive and time consuming. These assessments could alter shoot density in developing transplants. On spite of time invariance local factors induce relative variability of parameter estimates. Based on published data for 17 ecosystem services in 16 biomes, Costanza et al [1] estimated the value of ecosystem services at the level of the whole biosphere They found a lower bound in the range of US$16–54 trillion (1012) per year, with an average of US$33 trillion per year. Inhibits carbon sequestration [18, 19]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion