Using a Quadrat

A quadrat is a small area of ground marked out by some means to allow you to make detailed observations of part of a larger area.eg your transect.
Quite often the transect is square or rectangular, but this is not essential.
You will be supplied with quadrats area 1 m2 made out of two lengths of wood, and an outline or perimeter cord, like the one in the picture.
You can use them to estimate species abundance in one of three ways.
  1. Estimate the % cover
  2. Directly count the number of organisms
  3. Sub-sample the quadrat using smaller quadrats, and calculate the number in the larger quadrat.