Survey method

Two methods of surveying were employed across the Wet Woodland Area. One looked at the ground level plants and employed a random sampling method. The other survey method covered all trees greater than 2m in height, recording the percentage of each species in an area, along with other data such as the maximum height attained by each species.

Initial inspection of the Wet Woodland revealed six distinct areas.

1) Wet Seepage
2) Stony Area
3) Clearance
4) Bluebell Area
5) The Mound
6) Non-native cherry Area

Go to Map of Wet Woodland Area

Ground Level Plant Survey Method

For our survey purposes, ground level plants were limited to all those up to and including 2 metres in height.

Each of the six areas was treated separately for the purposes of the survey. To avoid a huge work load in data collection from the entire Wet Woodland area, a method of sampling was employed called Stratified Random Quadrat Sampling.

Random Sampling. A square wooden frame with sides of 1m length known as a quadrat is placed on the ground at a position determined by random numbers. Plant species within the square are recorded, along with the percentage cover within the square and the maximum height to which the species is growing there.

Continued