III) Plant Height, Leaf Area and Weight Measurements

Materials:

-100 plastic Ziplock bags
-measuring tape
-40 small aluminum foil dishes
-balance
-tongs
-Isotemp oven

1) Measure the stem lengths (from soil level upward) and leaf areas of all the plants in each container. Record the measurements. Repeat at one-month intervals, for a total of three sets of measurements.

2) Carefully remove each plant and roots from the wetland models. Put each in a separate Ziplock bag and place in the fridge to prevent decomposition.

3) Cut each plant at the bottom of the stem, separating the roots from the stem and leaves.

4) Place each above ground and below ground samples in separate dishes. Put the dishes in the oven for 24 hours at 70°C.

5) Remove samples from dryer after 24 hours using tongs. First, weigh the container and dry plant sample together, the empty the container and weigh it again. Subtract the weight of the container from the total weight of the dy plant and container to find the weight of the individual plants. Add the above and below-ground weights of the plants from each container to find the overall biomass.