Obtaining reliable estimates of algal biomass is key to assessing the contributions of macroalgae to nearshore ecosystems and to monitoring the effects of environmental change on macroalgal-dominated reefs. Using non-destructive methods to estimate macroalgal biomass leaves algal beds intact but requires precise allometric models (e.g., length–weight relationships). In this study, we established allometric relationships for the widespread kelp, Saccharina latissima, in the Salish Sea. Thalli were harvested from five sites across two regions in Southern British Columbia and the abilities of four non-destructive metrics (stipe length, blade length, blade width, and total thallus length) to predict thallus fresh weight were compared. Allometric models were developed for each region for all combinations of thallus metrics to explain thallus fresh weight and models were ranked based on their AICc scores. Finally, using our largest sample (n = 114 individuals), we performed a resampling experiment to determine the appropriate sample size for constructing local models. These models can be developed from as little as 2 hours of field data collection and are inexpensive and effective methods for non-destructively estimating S. latissima biomass.

获得可靠的藻类生物量估计值对于评估藻类对近岸生态系统的贡献以及监测环境变化对以藻类为主的珊瑚礁的影响至关重要。使用非破坏性方法估算大型藻类生物量可使藻类床完整无缺，但需要精确的异速测量模型（例如，长度与重量的关系）。在这项研究中，我们为广泛的海带，Saccharina latissima建立了异形关系。，在Salish海中。从不列颠哥伦比亚省南部两个地区的五个地点收获塔利，并比较了四个非破坏性指标（茎长，叶片长度，叶片宽度和总all体长度）预测th体鲜重的能力。针对每个区域的丘疹度量标准组合开发了异位度量模型，以解释丘疹新鲜体重，并基于其AICc评分对模型进行排名。最后，使用最大的样本（n  = 114个人），我们进行了重采样实验，以确定用于构建局部模型的适当样本量。这些模型可以从短短2个小时的现场数据收集中开发出来，并且是用于非破坏性评估latissima的廉价而有效的方法 生物质。