Algal Epiphyte Biomass from Seagrass Tissue Along the South Texas Coast (2011 - 2021)

Estimates of algal epiphytic biomass are made from separate leaf samples of entire shoots. Leaf samples for epiphytic biomass must be processed within three days of collection. In the laboratory, epiphytes are separated from a known leaf area using a scalpel or razor blade. Scraped material is then collected and retained on pre-weighed glass fiber filters. The collected epiphytic biomass and scraped seagrass leaves are then dried to a constant weight at 60°C for determination of dry weight biomass. Samples were taken at six sites along the Texas coast from 2011 - 2021.