GTMNERR Vegetation Sampling

Hi my name is Collin Hayes and I am a Biology-Coastal Environmental Science Major at the University of North Florida. On September 28, 2013 we visited the restoration site to measure vegetation diversity and distribution along the shore using the transect sampling technique. To sample the vegetation the class was split into three teams and moved to different locations along the shore. Our team started at the waterline and measured nine meters inland at N30, W8. Along the nine meter transect we established four quadrants, at three meter intervals, each 1m^2. What we were able to conclude from the findings was that within the first two quadrants closest to the water line Spartina alternaflora was the dominant plant species with almost no competition from other plant species. We suspect Spartina alternaflora to be the dominant species due to its ability to resist the high salinity level and temporary submergence during tidal flux.  In the following two quadrants we start to see more diversity and dominance of other plant species, such as Sporobolus virginicus and Batis maritime. As the conditions become less extreme further inland other species are able to establish themselves and out-compete Spartina alternaflora. High species diversity is important for the support of a healthy ecosystem and resistance against succession events. One thing I must say is that after doing this field activity is that it is very difficult to count and identify all the variety of grass species. I think we were lucky since many of the grass species were flowering during our visit.