|
Part 9: Collecting Monitoring Data
Cover
Cover, which is a determination of the amount of ground covered
by vegetation, rock, gravel, and litter, is an important vegetative
and hydrological attribute to monitor. Cover can be determined
using different definitions of the attribute:
- Vegetation cover – the total vegetation
on the site.
- Foliar cover – the area of ground covered
by the vertical projection of the aerial portion of the plant.
This would be similar to looking at the shadow cast by the plant
on the ground directly below the plant by a sun directly overhead.
- Canopy cover – the area of the ground
covered by the vertical projection of the outermost perimeter
of the natural spread of the plants. This would include foliar
cover and all of the space in between the leaves under the plant.
It may exceed 100% because it includes the shadow cast by the
leaves and all of the space between the leaves. Use the Line
Intercept Method to assess canopy cover.
- Basal cover – the area of the ground
surface occupied by the plant body; does not consider the ground
covered by the leaves of plants.
- Ground cover - the cover of plants, litter,
rocks, and gravel on a site. Use the Point Intercept Method to
assess ground cover.
Monitor canopy cover with the
Line Intercept Method.
Monitor ground
cover with the Point Intercept Method.
|
