Rake Sampling to Estimate Biomass of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Coastal Wetlands

Masto, Nicholas M.; Bauer, Beau A.; Kaminski, Richard M.; Sharpe, Caroline; Leland, Robert C.; Wiggers, Ernie P.; Gerard, Patrick D.

doi:10.1007/s13157-020-01296-3

Cited by 8 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…This bias is probably introduced by saturation of plant material on the rake or to the loss of this material as it is lifted from the water. Work by Masto et al (2020), who combined quadrat-rake apparatus and picked up remaining plant material after rake collection, also suggests that the rake does not completely break plant material at the sediment surface. This harvesting efficiency from rake was affected by the same factors explaining SAV anchorage strength from the natural pulling forces of waves, current or bird foraging: the size of SAV root system and sediment cohesive strength (Schutten et al 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining quadrat, rake, and echosounding to estimate submerged aquatic vegetation biomass at the ecosystem scale

Botrel

Hudon

Biron

et al. 2023

Limnology & Ocean Methods

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Measuring freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) biomass at large spatial scales is challenging, and no single technique can cost effectively accomplish this while maintaining accuracy. We propose to combine and intercalibrate accurate quadrat-scuba diver technique, fast rake sampling, and large-scale echosounding. We found that the overall relationship between quadrat and rake biomass is moderately strong (pseudo R 2 = 0.61) and varies with substrate type and SAV growth form. Rake biomass was also successfully estimated from biovolume (pseudo R 2 = 0.57), a biomass proxy derived from echosounding. In addition, the relationship was affected, in decreasing relevance, by SAV growth form, flow velocity, acoustic data quality, depth, and wind conditions. Sequential application of calibrations yielded predictions in agreement with quadrat observations, but echosounding predictions underestimated biomass in shallow areas (< 1 m) while outperforming point estimation in deep areas (> 3 m). Whole-system quadrat-equivalent biomass from echosounding differed by a factor of two from point survey estimates, suggesting echosounding is more accurate at larger scales owing to the increased sample size and better representation of spatial heterogeneity. To decide when an individual or a combination of techniques is profitable, we developed a step-by-step guideline. Given the risks of quadrat-scuba diver technique, we recommend developing a one-time quadrat-rake calibration, followed by the use of rake and echosounding when sampling at larger spatial and temporal scales. In this case, rake sampling becomes a valid ground truthing method for echosounding, also providing valuable species information and estimates in shallow waters where echosounding is inappropriate.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining quadrat, rake, and echosounding to estimate submerged aquatic vegetation biomass at the ecosystem scale

Botrel

Hudon

Biron

et al. 2023

Limnology & Ocean Methods

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“…Submerged aquatic vegetation and floating vegetation biomass can be harvested from the water column using a rake and a cylindrical core (Fig. 12 b) or quadrat sampling device (Merino et al 2005 ; Howard et al 2014 ; Bauer et al 2020 ; Masto et al 2020 ; King et al 2023 ). Cylinders can be made of PVC and the edges can be sharpened or lined with metal cutting teeth to facilitate substrate penetration and separation of roots (Bauer et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Carbon Poolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes

Bansal,

Creed,

Tangen

et al. 2023

Wetlands

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Wetlands cover a small portion of the world, but have disproportionate influence on global carbon (C) sequestration, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and aquatic C fluxes. However, the underlying biogeochemical processes that affect wetland C pools and fluxes are complex and dynamic, making measurements of wetland C challenging. Over decades of research, many observational, experimental, and analytical approaches have been developed to understand and quantify pools and fluxes of wetland C. Sampling approaches range in their representation of wetland C from short to long timeframes and local to landscape spatial scales. This review summarizes common and cutting-edge methodological approaches for quantifying wetland C pools and fluxes. We first define each of the major C pools and fluxes and provide rationale for their importance to wetland C dynamics. For each approach, we clarify what component of wetland C is measured and its spatial and temporal representativeness and constraints. We describe practical considerations for each approach, such as where and when an approach is typically used, who can conduct the measurements (expertise, training requirements), and how approaches are conducted, including considerations on equipment complexity and costs. Finally, we review key covariates and ancillary measurements that enhance the interpretation of findings and facilitate model development. The protocols that we describe to measure soil, water, vegetation, and gases are also relevant for related disciplines such as ecology. Improved quality and consistency of data collection and reporting across studies will help reduce global uncertainties and develop management strategies to use wetlands as nature-based climate solutions.

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“…Although the methods used provide one‐time precise estimates of corn biomass, they are time‐consuming, impractical for field biologists to execute annually, and difficult to scale‐up spatially. Thus, researchers have begun to develop rapid monitoring protocols that efficiently and precisely estimate vegetation and seed yield in other wetland types important to waterfowl, including moist‐soil impoundments (Naylor et al 2005, Martin et al 2022), inland and coastal managed and non‐managed wetlands (McClain et al 2019, Masto et al 2020), and unharvested rice fields (Hagy et al 2021). However, evaluations of rapid methodology to estimate seed yield in unharvested flooded corn impoundments are not available, despite sensitivity of bioenergetic models to them and their widespread distribution as a waterfowl management tool.…”

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confidence: 99%

A rapid monitoring protocol to estimate unharvested corn biomass in waterfowl impoundments

Highway,

Masto,

Blake‐Bradshaw

et al. 2024

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Conservation planners use bioenergetic models to develop habitat objectives that satisfy energetic demands of waterfowl during nonbreeding periods. In turn, natural resource managers should estimate yield and availability of natural and cultivated waterfowl forage to monitor contributions to objectives and support adaptive resource management. Because bioenergetic models are particularly sensitive to unharvested flooded croplands, we developed a rapid methodology to estimate biomass of unharvested flooded corn (Zea mays) and tested our methodology in impounded corn fields planted and flooded in western Tennessee during autumn and winter of 2019–2021. We evaluated accuracy of our rapid assessment method and conducted simulations to assess variance‐bias trade‐offs relative to sample size. Rapid assessments lasted 20 min ± 10 minutes per field. Our rapid assessment method underestimated number of kernels per ear by 2.6% ± 0.5%. After adjusting for underestimation bias, corn biomass across all surveys was 5,500 kg/ha ± 250 kg/ha, which is similar yield to previous literature from waterfowl impoundment fields. Sampling 15 ears per field allowed field biomass to be estimated within acceptable accuracy (i.e., variance [SE] of mean percent error <1.8%). We recommend our rapid yield assessment method be incorporated into habitat monitoring protocols to efficiently and precisely estimate corn biomass for improved conservation planning initiatives. Additionally, our rapid assessment method allows managers to monitor field yield rapidly, enabling estimates of corn depletion and availability throughout the nonbreeding season for waterfowl to support management decisions.

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Rake Sampling to Estimate Biomass of Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in Coastal Wetlands

Cited by 8 publications

References 32 publications

Combining quadrat, rake, and echosounding to estimate submerged aquatic vegetation biomass at the ecosystem scale

Combining quadrat, rake, and echosounding to estimate submerged aquatic vegetation biomass at the ecosystem scale

Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes

A rapid monitoring protocol to estimate unharvested corn biomass in waterfowl impoundments

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