John Fort wrote:
We want to create a map of plants located within 8mx8m plots. Each
plant was marked by putting a nail in the ground at the base of its
stem. Next to each nail we also inserted a surveying flag. We want to know
the x,y coordinates of each plant (relative to a reference point at the
corner of the plot) to within 2 centimeters.
Can anyone suggest a cheap (we hope) and efficient method to collect the
necessary data for constructing a map with 2 cm accuracy?
I think we need more information. What kinds of plants are you mapping?
The best methods vary wildly among short herbs, shrubs, tall grasses,
trees. Do you have line-of-sight across the entire plot, or is it
blocked by tall vegetation? How many plants per plot? Some methods are
manageable with a few plants per plot but prohibitive with many. Does
the method have to be doable by one person?
I'm thinking you could do something clever with a pair of 8-m tapes and
two laser sights (not rangefinders, they aren't accurate enough), but
that won't work unless you are dealing with low vegetation.
Sarah
--
Dr. Sarah Goslee
USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Crop and Soil Sciences Department
Penn State
Building 3702, Curtin Road
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-863-0887
Fax: 814-863-0935
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
