Cover by Lifeform

The thought behind the procedure is that if a plant community is changing, the relative proportions of grasses, forbs, shrubs, and bare ground should also be changing as a reflection of that plant community's change. For example, if the cover by lifeform transect shows that over a period of time that grasses and shrubs are declining, while forbs and bare ground is increasing, inferences can be made regarding the plant community's status. This information and the inferences that can be made are also certainly easily linked to management objectives and practices prescribed for a site.

The method requires that a transect be permanently located. Generally 100 feet long, the transect is read by recording the lifeform found directly beneath each foot marker along a tape stretched between the permanent markers. In addition, permittees often take a series of photos associated with each transect. Landscape photos are taken over the line from each end, and oblique photo are taken at the 10, 50, and 90 foot points along the transect tape.
 
 

The illustration at right is an example of a permittee taking an oblique photo along a transect line. Note the clipboard documenting the photo's vital information. Also note that the photo will be framed with a carpenter's rule.
 
 
 

This photo illustrates permittees reading a transect by suspending a pin along the tape, determining what that pin will first touch when lowered vertically along the tape.

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