Adaptation of Distance Measurements For Range Sampling

Abstract

Modification of a distance measurement technique (the angle-order method) for estimating density, herbage production, and ground cover was tested in 1960 and 1961 at the U. S. Sheep Experiment Station in Idaho. Estimates of plant density and herbage production obtained by the angle-order method were compared with estimates on 9.6- and 96-squarefoot plots, and estimates of cover were compared with estimates from line intercepts on 10-meter lines. Several limitations inherent in use of the angle-order method render it unsuitable for sampling complete plant communities of sagebrush-grass rangeland, but it may be used efficiently for estimating density, production, and ground cover for one or two key species.