Rapid 10 Survey pilot project

The “RapidSurvey Technique” is a vegetation sampling method that attempts to classify vegetation types by dominant species in a community and can potentially be used to floristically discriminate between broad-scale vegetation units (Biome and Veg-type level).

Sampling approach:

1. Samplers select a number of points in a homogenous patch of vegetation (perceived to be of the same vegetation type).
2. Within each point, a minimum of ten different plant species are recorded and photographed, with the ten species found without the sampler moving from the point.
3. The sampler must select the Pole Number from 1-10 in the designated field.
4. A final landscape photo of the plot must be taken and added to the last observation.

The purpose of the points are therefore to record the co-occurrence of ten different species in an area. The remarkable aspect of the RS Technique is the accessibility of the data. An image of every individual plant recorded in every point is available to be reviewed freely by the iNaturalist community, so identification is an aspect that is continually increasing. (extracted from Ismail, A (2023)

For more information or a demonstration of the technique watch this video tutorial: less ↑