An Approach to Plot Sampling for Canopy Volume in Shrub Communities

Abstract

A method of plot sampling for canopy volume of shrubs in plant communities is described. The method requires a three dimensional plot and an estimation of canopy volume by classes for each species in the plot. Midpoint values for the volume classes are used to calculate averages from an appropriate sample size. The method eliminates the necessity of measuring height and canopy diameters of individual species and provides an acceptable index to species dominace in the vegetation.