PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Hansraj Gautam AU - G. G. Potdar AU - T.N.C. Vidya TI - The utility of visual estimation in the rapid assessment of grass abundance for studies of foraging AID - 10.1101/012716 DP - 2014 Jan 01 TA - bioRxiv PG - 012716 4099 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2014/12/13/012716.short 4100 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2014/12/13/012716.full AB - The collection of detailed forage abundance data for studies of herbivore foraging behavior is important but often logistically demanding. Rapid sampling measures may help, but it is essential to assess the utility of such methods in specific habitats. We examined the relationship between visually estimated cover of grass species and their measured biomass in Nagarahole National Park. We found that grass cover was an excellent predictor of biomass within species, and additional height measurements did not improve biomass estimation. Species-level covers were more reliable than total covers and can be used for rapid assessment of proportional forage abundance.