Sensitivity of transects across a depth gradient for measuring changes in aerial coverage and abundance of Ruppia megacarpa Mason

摘要: Abstract Effective management of estuarine systems that contain submerged aquatic macrophytes, requires knowledge whether macrophyte populations are stable, increasing or decreasing in terms aerial coverage and abundance. This study established three transects within Wilson Inlet monitored them five times during 1996 for percent cover Ruppia megacarpa maximum depth limits these meadows. Secchi data collected weekly the water quality monitoring were used comparison. Percentage R. varied along length also between sampling times. variation was partially explainable by light availability, but affected other factors system. Overall sites times, limit at approximately 24% incident irradience. value is high comparison to macrophytes suggests not limited light. Its distribution may be sediment type, with seagrass being confined coarser sediments Inlet. It concluded currently light, so a minimum acceptable cannot recommended. Repeated measurement permanent canopy height, replicated each meadow transect,