Recording of vegetation in sample plots
The principle for allocating vegetations plots is to place one plot in each GHC, but grasslands (LHE/CHE and CHE) need to be further subdivided, if a different environmental qualifier was assigned. No plots are placed in URBAN, SEA or AQU categories.
Plots must be done on all other SPV classes, even if there is no vegetation. Such sites may be colonised in future. If the plot location is inaccessible because of dangerous terrain there are two possibilities: a) move to plot to the nearest safe location or b) re-randomise and select a different patch. If there is more than one element of a certain GHC, than select randomly where the plot will be.
The survey requires recording from different sizes of vegetation plots, depending on whether the plot is placed in an areal, linear or point feature.
- Areal plots (X): plot size of 100 m2 placed in the middle of the selected polygon.
- Linear plots (L): plot size of 10x1 m placed in the middle of the selected linear feature
- Point plots (Y): plot size of 2x2 m in the middle of the point feature
All vascular plants should be recorded, but no lichens or bryophytes. Epiphytes on rocks or trees should not be recorded. On completion of recording of the whole plot, then the estimated cover % for the whole plot should be listed against each species, using 5% cover categories. Less than 5% will be indicated by recording 1. The position of the plots should be located by GPS and marked on the map. A photograph should be taken including a clear land mark to assist relocation of the plot.
An example of the recording forms can be downloaded here; The recording form for Main (X) plots, The recording form for Linear (L) plots
