Random Sampling at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
2009
Methodology
INTRODUCTION
On 23 January 2009, Elise Campbell undertook an initial survey of twenty survey points of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
OBJECT OF SURVEY
- To create a mental picture of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and its vegetation.
- To allow the classification of plant species present within the gardens and to record non-living materials (organic and inorganic).
METHOD STATEMENT
Twenty random points were selected within the grounds using the following procedure:
- A centre was marked on a plan of the gardens.
- Twenty equal segments were projected from the centre of the gardens to the site boundary, to ensure a rational distribution of points.
- The length of each line from the centre to the garden boundary was measured.
- A digital random number generator was used to pick a number at random between 0 and the length of the line.
- The random number was measured along the length of the line and was marked with a dot.
- Each dot marked the random spot that was to be surveyed in the garden.
A photograph was taken above each survey point. Plant species and all other materials on the ground within each photograph frame were documented.
[Note: For the purpose of this survey, the ‘Shooted Frequency’ technique was used to include all plant overhanging the frame. Please also note that the abundance of each item identified was not measured in this survey.]
CONCLUSION
[Note: Cross refer to the Survey Findings book for results of survey carried out on 23 January 2009.]
This survey concludes that that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh vegetation structure comprises predominantly of mixed grass species and mixed moss species. [Note: This survey could not identify the species of grass and moss studied. It is proposed that an additional survey is carried out with specialist botanists to allow classification of species.]
Other types of plants found within the survey include native and (mostly) non-native species including: algaes, lichens, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees (conifers and deciduous).
In terms of non-living material recorded in the survey, the gardens comprise mainly of dead leaves, soil, bark mulch, twigs, areas of hardstanding (e.g tarmac/ bound gravel) and disabled toilet facilties.
SUMMARY
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh comprises predominantly of mixed grass species, mixed moss species and dead leaves.
On 23 January 2009, Elise Campbell undertook an initial survey of twenty survey points of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
OBJECT OF SURVEY
- To create a mental picture of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and its vegetation.
- To allow the classification of plant species present within the gardens and to record non-living materials (organic and inorganic).
METHOD STATEMENT
Twenty random points were selected within the grounds using the following procedure:
- A centre was marked on a plan of the gardens.
- Twenty equal segments were projected from the centre of the gardens to the site boundary, to ensure a rational distribution of points.
- The length of each line from the centre to the garden boundary was measured.
- A digital random number generator was used to pick a number at random between 0 and the length of the line.
- The random number was measured along the length of the line and was marked with a dot.
- Each dot marked the random spot that was to be surveyed in the garden.
A photograph was taken above each survey point. Plant species and all other materials on the ground within each photograph frame were documented.
[Note: For the purpose of this survey, the ‘Shooted Frequency’ technique was used to include all plant overhanging the frame. Please also note that the abundance of each item identified was not measured in this survey.]
CONCLUSION
[Note: Cross refer to the Survey Findings book for results of survey carried out on 23 January 2009.]
This survey concludes that that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh vegetation structure comprises predominantly of mixed grass species and mixed moss species. [Note: This survey could not identify the species of grass and moss studied. It is proposed that an additional survey is carried out with specialist botanists to allow classification of species.]
Other types of plants found within the survey include native and (mostly) non-native species including: algaes, lichens, herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees (conifers and deciduous).
In terms of non-living material recorded in the survey, the gardens comprise mainly of dead leaves, soil, bark mulch, twigs, areas of hardstanding (e.g tarmac/ bound gravel) and disabled toilet facilties.
SUMMARY
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh comprises predominantly of mixed grass species, mixed moss species and dead leaves.
