Tetiaroa Vegetation Sampling
Sage Moloney, Kenechi Elvis Obiorah, Erica Garibay, Allea Eimers
Abstract
Measurement of seedling recruitment for four native woody species, the shade cover of four herbaceous plant species, and coconuts on the Motu Ahuroa in Tetiaroa were conducted by students with the UC Berkeley Island Sustainability Program. The four woody species we observed were Pisonia, Pandanus, Guettarda, and Ipomoea. For the herbaceous species, we observed Asplenium, Boerhavia, Microsorum, and Portulaca. Once we completed our data collection in each transect, we compiled our data to see the effect of rat eradication programs on plant growth.
Before start
Thoroughly clean shoes and clothes to avoid transferring seeds to Ahuroa motu.
Arrive at pre-existing transects.
Understand what plant species are being studied and how to identify them.
Steps
Find the marked transects using a GPS and/or flag markers.
Use the measuring tape to lay out a 25 m transect from the first marker to its respective end marker.
Beginning with left or right side of the transect, measure a 1mx1m plot.
Within this 1m^2 plot:
For woody seedlings: identify and count seedlings in the given area, recording how many are present.
For herbaceous species: Estimate—using a visual assessment—plant coverage over the given area as a percentage.
For coconuts: Record number of fallen coconuts and whether a fallen coconut is dead or sprouting. If sprouting, record the amount of leaves sprouting from the coconut.
Continue to next 1mx1m quadrant along the transect until you reach the end; total quadrants should equal 24.
Repeat steps 3-5 for the opposite side of the transect.
