ABSTRACT
Long-term monitoring of Þxed transects is an important management tool for determining the health of seagrass ecosystems. In the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, semiannual monitoring (summer-winter) of 76 Þxed transects was established in 1994 to quantify changes in the seagrass. The transects are perpendicular to shore along the 250-km-long axis of the lagoon. Transects are sampled using non-destructive techniques to measure percent cover and canopy height of each seagrass species every 10 m along the line until the deep edge of the bed is reached. Shoot counts are also made at the center and deep edge of the beds at each transect location.
