2.2. Seagrass Metrics
At each site, five randomly selected cores (Ø =10 cm, 15 cm deep) were
collected within Zostera beds across four austral seasons
(spring, summer, autumn and winter). Core samples were rinsed with
seawater on-site then stored in labelled bags for transportation. In the
laboratory, shoot and leaf densities and average leaf lengths and widths
of the tallest 20% of shoots, were recorded. Roots/rhizomes were then
separated from leaves, and epiphytes gently scraped off all leaves. Dry
mass was estimated for seagrass leaves and epiphytes
(60oC, 14 hrs).