Terrestrial Surveys of Ground Cover

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Group Participants: Raquel A. Dale Greyhills Academy High School Tuba City, Arizona Michele Corcoran Coconino High School Flagstaff, Arizona   Steve Ahmann Morenci High School Morenci, Arizona Patrick Tatum Life School College Prep Mesa, Arizona

Abstract

This project involved collaboration of a group of science educators from across Arizona. The purpose of the project was to compare three different methods of measuring the percent of ground cover on a one hectare plot in a terrestrial environment. The three methods were a line intercept, a strip intercept and a plot sample. The same number of data points were procured for each method. While differences in expense, cost, time and impact on habitat were noted, there was no significant statistical difference in the results of the three methods.