Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey is one of many agencies providing scientific support to the effort to restore the South Florida Everglades. In September and November 1997 and July 1998, vegetation was sampled at selected sites in the Everglades as part of a study to quantify vegetative resistance to flow. The objectives of the vegetation sampling are (1) to provide detailed information on species composition, vegetation characteristics, and biomass for quantification of the effect of vegetation on water flow, and (2) to use these data in the future to infer flow resistance from vegetation information. Forty-two vegetation quadrats were sampled in Taylor Slough to determine the number and width of stems and leaves and the biomass of live and dead standing sawgrass, rush, and other plants, and the biomass of dead litter and periphyton. The samples were grouped into ten vegetation classes based on species composition and total biomass minus periphyton biomass.

Figure 1. Location of Taylor Slough, south Florida Everglades, and outline of Southern Inland and Coastal Systems (SICS) model area. The land within the model area is shown in off white. [• shows location of vegetation sampling quadrats on the upper (U), middle (M), and lower (L) transects.] [larger version]