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Depletion during spring germination (turnover), longevity, and successional relationships were studied at High Marsh (HM), Cattail (CT), and Shrub Forest (SF) sites in a freshwater tidal wetland over three years. There was significant seasonal reduction in size and composition of seed banks from all sites. Turnover was greatest in HM surface (0–2 cm) samples where 29 x more seeds germinated in March than in June. In CT and SF samples turnover was considerably less. Magnitude (34–97%) was related to species composition and factors affecting field germination. Decrease in density with depth (0–10 cm) was log‐linear in March samples. Except for SF 30–32 cm, few seeds and species were found at 8–10, 15–17, or 30–32 cm. Three seed bank strategies were distinguished: (a) complete turnover (Type II, sensu Thompson and Grime 1979), (b) high turnover with some reserve (Type III), and (c) large long‐term seed reserve (Type IV). Longevity of many species appeared to be restricted; 31–56% at each site were present only in surface samples, and 29–52% germinated only in March samples. Although some species were important at all three sites, the seed bank composition of each was distinct, and was related to vegetation composition at each site. Because the bulk of the seed bank at each site resembles its site vegetation more than that of another site, it is not possible to predict succession.

Freshwater tidal wetlands act as buffers between upstream ecosystems and the estuary. They display high macrophyte diversity, distinct zonation patterns, and dynamic seed banks. Primary production and decomposition proceed at high rates. They serve as habitat for fish and wildlife and may act as sinks for nutrients and heavy metals. (

Infrared (IR) modalities represent the only currently viable mass fever screening approaches for outbreaks of infectious disease pandemics such as Ebola virus disease and severe acute respiratory syndrome. Non-contact IR thermometers (NCITs) and IR thermographs (IRTs) have been used for fever screening in public areas such as airports. While NCITs remain a more popular choice than IRTs, there has been increasing evidences in the literature that IRTs can provide great accuracy in estimating body temperature if qualified systems are used and appropriate procedures are consistently applied. In this study, we addressed the issue of IRT qualification by implementing and evaluating a battery of test methods for objective, quantitative assessment of IRT performance based on a recent international standard (IEC 80601-2-59). We tested two commercial IRTs to evaluate their stability and drift, image uniformity, minimum resolvable temperature difference, and radiometric temperature laboratory accuracy. Based on these tests, we illustrated how experimental and data processing procedures could affect results, and suggested methods for clarifying and optimizing test methods. Overall, the insights into thermograph standardization and acquisition methods provided by this study may improve the utility of IR thermography and aid in comparing IRT performance, thus improving the potential for producing high quality disease pandemic countermeasures.