Building a Quadrat
Quadrats are usually marked in the field with a piece of equipment called the quadrat frame. There are many versions of quadrat frames, some of which are commercially available. But one of the best types of quadrat frames is one you can make yourself out of PVC pipe. PVC quadrat frames are inexpensive to make, can be constructed in any size, and are lightweight and easy to pack into your study area.
These instructions tell you how to make a 1.0m × 1.0m quadrat. After you read the instructions, make a frame of your own to use in your field projects later in the course.
You can get the supplies and tools you need from many large hardware or home supply stores. You will need a little over 3 m (10') of PVC pipe. You will also need four elbow joints for the type of pipe you purchase, and a small quantity of PVC cement (optional). You will also need something to cut the pipe. Almost any saw will work, but a rigid, small-toothed saw (like a hack saw) works particularly well. There are even large snips made to cut PVC pipe. Finally, you will need a measuring tape or metrestick.
Cut the PVC pipe into four lengths of 1.0 m. Be careful in your measurements and cutting, because with luck you'll be using this frame in the field for years to come.
Use the four elbows to assemble the four lengths into a rectangle. Make sure the pipe is pushed all the way into the elbows. Adjust the connections so the frame lies flat. Because of the way the elbows are constructed, the inside dimensions of the resulting frame are exactly the lengths of the connected pipe. Measure the frame to confirm this.
You can now use the frame. Just take it apart to carry it into your study area and assemble it on site. Alternatively, the quadrat can be cemented together. The unassembled version is easy to pack into the field, but has the disadvantage of not containing a pre-made inner grid (described below). Before cementing, double-check that the assembled frame lies flat. Then cement two elbows that are opposite of each first, then the remaining two afterwards.
Now that you have all the pieces prepared, it is time to mark out the inner grid of the quadrat. Use a ruler to measure out for lines that will connect at 10 cm intervals along all sides of the quadrat. Use a Sharpie to carefully mark out these 10 cm intervals. At each of these 10 cm marks, some fishing line will be put into place to make the grid. These instructions will be given in class.
These instructions tell you how to make a 1.0m × 1.0m quadrat. After you read the instructions, make a frame of your own to use in your field projects later in the course.
You can get the supplies and tools you need from many large hardware or home supply stores. You will need a little over 3 m (10') of PVC pipe. You will also need four elbow joints for the type of pipe you purchase, and a small quantity of PVC cement (optional). You will also need something to cut the pipe. Almost any saw will work, but a rigid, small-toothed saw (like a hack saw) works particularly well. There are even large snips made to cut PVC pipe. Finally, you will need a measuring tape or metrestick.
Cut the PVC pipe into four lengths of 1.0 m. Be careful in your measurements and cutting, because with luck you'll be using this frame in the field for years to come.
Use the four elbows to assemble the four lengths into a rectangle. Make sure the pipe is pushed all the way into the elbows. Adjust the connections so the frame lies flat. Because of the way the elbows are constructed, the inside dimensions of the resulting frame are exactly the lengths of the connected pipe. Measure the frame to confirm this.
You can now use the frame. Just take it apart to carry it into your study area and assemble it on site. Alternatively, the quadrat can be cemented together. The unassembled version is easy to pack into the field, but has the disadvantage of not containing a pre-made inner grid (described below). Before cementing, double-check that the assembled frame lies flat. Then cement two elbows that are opposite of each first, then the remaining two afterwards.
Now that you have all the pieces prepared, it is time to mark out the inner grid of the quadrat. Use a ruler to measure out for lines that will connect at 10 cm intervals along all sides of the quadrat. Use a Sharpie to carefully mark out these 10 cm intervals. At each of these 10 cm marks, some fishing line will be put into place to make the grid. These instructions will be given in class.