A quadrat is the essential tool for being able to get an unbiased reading of % bare soil, % weed cover, accurate sward composition etc, as well as for “cut and weigh” forage volume assessments. A circular quadrat is the easiest to make, though square and rectangular are also possible.
Thanks to Hannah Steenbergen for sharing this method for making a quadrat!
You will need:
- 250cm of 20mm diameter piping OR 275cm of rope
- marker pen
- short length of smaller diameter pipe which fits inside 20mm diameter pipe (not required if you are using rope!)
Method
1. Mark 250cm along a pipe, Hannah used 20mm piping (You can also do this with rope, cut it slightly longer and tie a knot)
2. Take a short length of smaller diameter pipe that fits tightly inside the 250cm long pipe
3. Slide short pipe into both ends of the long pipe
4. And now you have a 0.5m2 circular quadrat
