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).