Table 10. Estimates of aboveground primary production (g dry weight/m fyr) 

 of vascular plants on New England high marshes. 



Udell et al. 1969 (from end-of-the-season total biomass). 



Stecver 1972 (from sequential measurements of live and dead standing 

 vegetation). 



^Nixon and Oviatt 1973a (from end-of-the-growing season total biomass). 



Valiela et al. 1975 (from sequential measurements of live and dead standing 

 vegetation). 



^Ruber et al. 1981 (from sequential harvests of live and dead vegetation and 

 assumed corrections for grazing and decomposition. Data reported as ash-free 

 weight; values given here have been increased by 10%). 



Linthurst and Reimold 1978 (mean of five techniques). 



^Harper 1918 (from end-of-the-growing season total biomass, probably air 

 dried). 



(Linthurst and Reimold 1978). Grazing 

 losses are small on marshes, and the 

 relatively short and distinct growing 

 season for Spartina in the Northeast 

 makes the harvest technique more 

 appropriate there than along the 

 southern coast where grass grows 

 continuously. But even in the Great 

 Sippewissett Marsh on Cape Cod a 



37 



3-year analysis of production and 

 standing crop showed that annual 

 aboveground production may be as much 

 as twice the maximum standing crop 

 (Valiela et al. 1975). The greatest 

 difference between total primary 

 production and the harvest of green 

 vegetation appears to be due to 

 belowground growth, however. 



