HomeMy WebLinkAboutWATERFIELD FOURTH FILING - FDP190009 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 2 - WETLANDS DOCUMENTSWaterfield Wetland Restoration Plan
Determination of Ground Cover Using Point-Intercept Method
Ground cover at each sample point will be determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology (also
referred to as “line-point”) as illustrated on Figure 1. As indicated in this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes
state-of-the-art laser instrumentation to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A
transect of 10 meters length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged
center of each systematically located sample point. At each one-meter interval along the transect, a
“laser point bar” was situated parallel to the ground surface, and a set of 10 readings recorded as to hits
on vegetation (by species), litter, rock (>2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter interval
by activating a battery of 10 specialized lasers**
situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and
recording the variable intercepted by each of the narrow (0.02”), tightly focused beams (see Figure 1).
In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per
intercept. Each transect serves as one data point (i.e. n = 1). This methodology and instrumentation
facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible.
To facilitate diversity calculations, additional hits (beyond the 100 maximum) may be recorded when
an overstory shrub or tree stratum is present. In this instance, the primary overstory hit is moved to the
side and any intercepts on underlying live herbaceous vegetation are recorded separately as “2nd hits”.
Second hit data are used only for diversity calculations, not total ground cover estimates.
Note: Production will not be collected as depicted in Figure 1
** Lasers utilized for this instrument are state-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro-magnetic
wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers.