Linear relationships between aboveground biomass and plant cover in low open herbaceous vegetation

Four herbaceous plant species of a sand dune area and several herb species of an open early-successional patch were investigated for the occurrence of a simple relationship between aboveground biomass and plant cover. Without exception linear regressions of aboveground biomass on plant cover were fo und with slope factors depending on the growth form of the species. These r esults suggest that (early) growth of herbaceous plants in low and (tempora rily) open vegetation is not affected by possible constraints caused by a d ecreasing ratio of plant cover to aboveground biomass. The obtained linear relationships could be used for rapid non-destructive determination of abov eground biomass by image-analysis of cover data.