SEASONAL-CHANGES IN REFLECTANCE AND STANDING CROP BIOMASS IN 3 SALT-MARSH COMMUNITIES

Reflectance of red (656-705 nm) and IR (776-826 nm) solar radiation and standing crop biomass were measured in 3 salt marsh communities at intervals of approximately 2 wk between Feb.-Aug. 1974. Red reflectance declined at the onset of greening in each community and was correlated with standing crop of green biomass. IR reflectance increased substantially in the shrub community but less in the grass and sedge communities. The inverse of red reflectance was a reliable predictor of green biomass in sedge and grass communities, but not in a shrub community.