A new device to estimate abundance of moist-soil plant seeds
Wildlife Society Bulletin
6560_Penny.pdf
By: E.J. Penny, R.M. Kaminski, and K. J. Reinecke
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Abstract
Methods to sample the abundance of moist-soil seeds efficiently and accurately are critical for evaluating management practices and determining food availability. We adapted a portable, gasoline-powered vacuum to estimate abundance of seeds on the surface of a moist-soil wetland in east-central Mississippi and evaluated the sampler by simulating conditions that researchers and managers may experience when sampling moist-soil areas for seeds. We measured the percent recovery of known masses of seeds by the vacuum sampler in relation to 4 experimentally controlled factors (i.e., seed-size class, sample mass, soil moisture class, and vacuum time) with 2-4 levels per factor. We also measured processing time of samples in the laboratory. Across all experimental factors, seed recovery averaged 88.4% and varied little (CV = 0.68%, n = 474). Overall, mean time to process a sample was 30.3 ? 2.5 min (SE, n = 417). Our estimate of seed recovery rate (88%) may be used to adjust estimates for incomplete seed recovery, or project-specific correction factors may be developed by investigators. Our device was effective for estimating surface abundance of moist-soil plant seeds after dehiscence and before habitats were flooded.
Suggested Citation
Penny, E., Kaminski, R., Reinecke, K.J., 2006, A new device to estimate abundance of moist-soil plant seeds: Wildlife Society Bulletin, v. 34, no. 1, p. 186-190.
ISSN: 1938-5463 (online)
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | A new device to estimate abundance of moist-soil plant seeds |
| Series title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2006 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 186-190 |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Wildlife Society Bulletin |
| First page | 186 |
| Last page | 190 |