Equipment

GPS Units

50 m tape measure

1 square meter made out of 1/2 inch PVC pipe

Calculator for Random Integers

Plant Identification book

Map

Distribution

have some transects go over rocks

have one transect in the newly seeded area

have a couple of transects in the highland areas

Plot evaluation

count number of plants in a square meter

count all natives and exotics

You need some equipment when you are making a partially random transect. First you need to look at your map and find which areas you would like to take samples. Go to this area and find a starting point. Then use your graphing calculator and random integer function to figure out if you are going to go North, South, East or West. Use your GPS Unit and your 50 m tape measure to find the point 50 m from the starting point in the direction in which you determined to go.

After this, use your graphing calculator to find three sample plots. You can do this by selecting your random integer function, typing 1 comma 50 comma 3. This will give you three different numbers on you calculator. Find these three meter points on your transect. Then flip a coin to determine weather or not you are going to go to the right of the transect or the left. Make sure that your transects do not go completely over rocks. If this happens, take a new sample.

Once you have your three plots predicted, you need to evaluate the different plots. You will want to get a count of all of the different species in this plot. You will want to get a count of both native and exotic plants within the plot.

Some of the native plants that we predict to find include but are not limited to; big blue stem, little blue stem, sideoats grama, Indian grass, bull thistle, and yarrow. Some of the exotic plants that we predict to find include but are not limited to; brome grass, plumeless thistle (big problem), timothy grass, Kentucky blue grass, queen Ann's lace, and wild parsnip. The goal is to see what species of plant are on the prairie and the ratio of natives to exotics.

When you are counting, you will want to divide the square meter into different smaller sections. Trying to just count all of the species in the whole square meter without dividing it into smaller sections may be slightly overwhelming. If you are fortunate enough to have a couple of people with you, divide the square into thirds or fourths and have each individual count one of the sections.