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A rapid survey method for the estimation of density and cover in desert plant communities
Author(s) -
McAuliffe Joseph R.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of vegetation science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1654-1103
pISSN - 1100-9233
DOI - 10.2307/3235571
Subject(s) - cover (algebra) , arid , logarithm , perennial plant , plot (graphics) , vegetation (pathology) , mathematics , canopy , logarithmic distribution , ecology , statistics , physical geography , geography , biology , mathematical analysis , mechanical engineering , medicine , negative binomial distribution , pathology , engineering , poisson distribution
Abstract. The Log‐series survey method allows rapid estimates of density and cover and is applicable for studies of perennial vegetation in arid environments. An optical rangefinder is used to determine boundaries of large circular plots. Numbers of individuals of each species within a plot are assessed; this information is used to assign species to logarithmic density classes equivalent to the logarithm base 2 of actual abundances. Each species is then assigned to a logarithmic canopy cover class, equivalent to the logarithmbase 2 of average cover per individual. Log total cover per species per plot is obtained by the addition of logarithmic density and cover classes. Percent cover per species is rapidly computed by taking the antilog of the difference between log total cover per species and log total plot area.