A plant diversity monitoring quadrat

Abstract

This utility model discloses a plant diversity monitoring quadrat frame, specifically relating to the field of quadrat frames. It includes a central frame, several reinforcing ribs rotatably connected at one end to the central frame, connecting seats rotatably connected to the other end of the reinforcing ribs, and two connecting components mounted on the connecting seats. An inner sleeve and an outer sleeve are provided between adjacent connecting components, and the inner and outer sleeves are slidably connected. Mounting heads are fixedly connected to the ends of the inner and outer sleeves that are furthest from each other. Magnetic metal rings are fixedly connected to the mounting heads, which are connected to the connecting components. This utility model, through a linked telescopic structure formed by the central frame, reinforcing ribs, and inner and outer sleeves, achieves rapid and smooth adjustment of the quadrat frame size, easily meeting the requirements of different monitoring tasks for quadrat specifications. It avoids the cumbersome need to carry multiple fixed-size quadrat frames, greatly reducing the burden of fieldwork and improving the efficiency of monitoring preparation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of quadrat technology, and more specifically, to a plant diversity monitoring quadrat. Background Technology

[0002] Plant diversity monitoring quadrats are square frame tools used to standardize the investigation of plant communities. They are usually made of metal or plastic, and the area is set according to the vegetation type. By fixing the boundaries and standardizing the size, the comparability and scientific validity of the survey data are ensured. They help researchers accurately record information such as plant species, quantity, and canopy within the quadrats, and then analyze population density, community structure, and biodiversity levels. They are widely used in ecological assessment, protected area management, and campus biodiversity surveys, providing basic data support for the development of conservation strategies.

[0003] Traditional plant diversity monitoring quadrats often use rigid frames of fixed sizes or simple manual splicing structures. The length of their frames cannot be flexibly adjusted, and researchers need to carry quadrats of various sizes to meet the monitoring requirements of different vegetation types, which greatly increases the transportation burden and operational complexity. At the same time, fixed frames are difficult to place stably on uneven ground, which can easily cause the measurement reference plane to tilt, seriously affecting the accuracy and comparability of data such as plant cover and height within the quadrat.

[0004] In summary, in order to adapt to different measurement environments, it is necessary to solve the problem that the fixed structure of traditional plant diversity monitoring quadrats increases the transportation burden and operational complexity, and reduces the accuracy of measurement data, so that the monitoring quadrats can be flexibly adjusted to adapt to various terrains. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention provides a plant diversity monitoring quadrangular frame, which aims to solve the problem that traditional plant diversity monitoring quadrangular frames have a fixed structure, which increases the burden of transportation and the complexity of operation, and reduces the accuracy of measurement data.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a plant diversity monitoring quadrat frame, comprising a central frame, several reinforcing ribs rotatably connected at one end to the central frame, connecting seats rotatably connected at the other end of the reinforcing ribs, and two connecting components mounted on the connecting seats. An inner sleeve and an outer sleeve are provided between two adjacent connecting components. The inner sleeve and the outer sleeve are slidably connected. The ends of the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve that are far apart from each other are respectively fixedly connected to mounting heads. A magnetic metal ring is fixedly connected to the mounting head. The mounting head is connected to the connecting components. A scale is fixedly connected to both the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. A fixing seat is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve. A locking component is installed in the fixing seat. The locking component is used to control the movement of the inner sleeve. A first sliding groove is provided on the inner sleeve, and a second sliding groove is provided on the outer sleeve.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting assembly includes a connector fixedly connected to the connector base, a magnet fixedly connected to the connector, and a positioning pin fixedly connected to the connector. The mounting head has an alignment hole, and the alignment hole and the positioning pin are slidably connected.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the locking assembly includes a cam handle rotatably connected to a fixed base, a locking block movably connected to the bottom of the cam handle, two round rods symmetrically fixedly connected to the locking block, and a spring fixedly connected between the round rods and the cam handle. The locking block is slidably connected to the first slide groove and the second slide groove.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a spherical groove is provided at the bottom of the connector, a hinged ball is rotatably connected in the spherical groove, and a fixed sleeve is fixedly connected below the hinged ball.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a threaded rod is provided inside the fixed sleeve, the threaded rod is fixedly connected to the hinge ball, a sliding sleeve is threadedly connected to the threaded rod, the sliding sleeve is movably connected inside the fixed sleeve, and a ground nail is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding sleeve.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a transparent storage box is fixedly connected to the central frame, and a dustproof cloth is provided inside the transparent storage box.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the dustproof cloth has a plurality of hook and loop fasteners, and the connecting seat has hook and loop fasteners, with the hook and loop fasteners and hook and loop fasteners being movably connected.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0014] This utility model achieves rapid and smooth adjustment of the quadrat frame size through a linkage telescopic structure composed of a central frame, reinforcing ribs, and inner and outer sleeves. Users can easily change the size of the entire square frame by simply rotating the central frame. The operation is extremely simple and labor-saving, and can easily meet the requirements of different monitoring tasks for quadrat specifications. It avoids the cumbersome need to carry multiple fixed-size quadrat frames in the past, greatly reduces the burden of field work, and improves the efficiency of monitoring preparation. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the inner sleeve structure of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the fixing base structure of this utility model.

[0018] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the reinforcing rib structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connecting seat structure of this utility model.

[0020] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Central frame; 2. Reinforcing rib; 3. Connecting seat; 301. Spherical groove; 302. Velcro hook surface; 401. Connector; 402. Magnet; 403. Positioning pin; 5. Mounting head; 501. Alignment hole; 6. Magnetic metal ring; 7. Inner sleeve; 701. First slide groove; 8. Outer sleeve; 801. Second slide groove; 9. Scale; 10. Fixing seat; 1101. Cam handle; 1102. Locking block; 1103. Round rod; 1104. Spring; 12. Hinge ball; 13. Fixing sleeve; 14. Threaded rod; 15. Sliding sleeve; 16. Ground nail; 17. Transparent storage box; 18. Dustproof cloth; 1801. Velcro velvet surface. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content.

[0022] Plant diversity monitoring quadrats, as a fundamental tool in plant ecology field surveys, are indispensable standard equipment in scientific research. Essentially, they are physical frames with fixed shapes and clearly defined boundaries, typically designed as squares, and made of metallic materials such as lightweight aluminum alloys or durable engineering plastics. The emergence and application of this tool stems from the urgent need in ecological research for standardized, repeatable sampling methods. In the era before standardized sampling tools, different researchers often set up survey areas based on personal habits or on an ad-hoc basis, leading to a lack of comparability in survey results due to differences in sampling area, shape, and boundary standards, severely impacting the scientific value of the data. The development of plant diversity monitoring quadrats aims to solve this problem by providing a standardized, repeatable sampling method. A physical space with a fixed area and clear boundaries standardizes the sampling process, ensuring that regardless of when, where, or by whom the survey is conducted, as long as the same standards are followed, the basic data obtained—including the species of plants within the quadrat, the number of individuals of each species, projected canopy, average height, and spatial distribution pattern—are inherently comparable. This data forms the cornerstone for further analysis of community structure characteristics, species diversity levels, population dynamics, and even ecosystem functions. It is widely used in fields such as biodiversity resource surveys, assessment of the effectiveness of nature reserves, environmental impact assessments, long-term ecological monitoring, and ecological practice teaching in colleges and universities, providing the most basic yet most important data support for the protection, management, and sustainable use of vegetation resources.

[0023] Despite the crucial role that plant diversity monitoring quadrats play in ecological research, their design has long lacked breakthroughs. Traditional models suffer from several inherent and unresolved defects in product form and function, which directly affect the efficiency of fieldwork and the quality of data.

[0024] The primary limitation lies in its rigid size design; the vast majority of traditional template frames are manufactured to a fixed size, such as the common 1 square meter (1m x 1m) or 4 square meters (2m x 1m). The 2m quadrat frame, with its non-adjustable rigid structure, presents a sharp contradiction with the diverse real-world vegetation landscape. Different vegetation types, and even the same vegetation type, require different standard quadrat areas for different research purposes. For example, investigating tall forest communities or dense shrublands may require larger quadrats, while studying low-lying herbaceous communities or tundra vegetation may require smaller quadrats. When a researcher goes to an area with complex terrain and diverse vegetation types, he has to prepare and carry a whole set of quadrat frames of different sizes in advance to cope with different monitoring protocols. This not only means that his luggage will be filled with bulky and heavy metal or plastic frames, greatly increasing his physical burden, but also that carrying this equipment over long distances in the roadless field environment is a daunting challenge. In addition, during the intense fieldwork, frequently switching, finding, and carrying quadrat frames of different sizes will undoubtedly slow down the work pace, increase the complexity of operations, and increase the probability of picking up the wrong or missing equipment, which may disrupt the continuity of the research.

[0025] Secondly, traditional quadrats exhibit significant maladaptation to the complex and varied terrain conditions of the real world. Ideally, monitoring requires quadrats to be placed horizontally and stably on the ground to ensure a unified reference plane and accurate survey area. However, ideally flat terrain is rare in the field. More often, researchers face slopes, uneven woodlands, and areas covered with gravel or fallen trees. When traditional rigid quadrats are placed in such locations, they often fail to fully conform to the ground, resulting in wobbling, tilting, or even one end being suspended in mid-air. This physical instability leads to two serious problems: First, it distorts and deforms the actual effective survey area, making it no longer a standard square, violating the basic principles of standardized sampling. Second, and more importantly, the tilt of the quadrats can cause significant deviations in the visual estimation of plant canopy cover and inaccurate measurements of plant height. These errors are directly embedded in the raw data, compromising its accuracy and reliability, rendering comparisons between different sampling points meaningless, and potentially misleading ecological judgments and assessments based on this data.

[0026] Furthermore, many traditional transects are designed to be detachable for ease of transport, requiring on-site assembly using small metal parts such as bolts, nuts, and pins. This connection method is unsatisfactory in actual field operations. Assembly often requires additional tools, and in harsh environments such as wind, rain, humidity, or low temperatures, the operation becomes particularly time-consuming and laborious. These small metal connectors are not only prone to rusting and jamming due to rain and mud, making disassembly difficult, but they are also extremely easy to lose during transport or in dense vegetation. The loss of any critical small part can render the entire transect unusable, paralyzing fieldwork. This unreliability of the design brings unnecessary risks and the possibility of interruption to research work.

[0027] Finally, traditional design approaches often focus too much on the single measurement function of the transect frame, completely neglecting its overall nature as a "device" that needs to be repeatedly carried, transported, and stored. The frame itself, along with its associated marker stakes, measuring ropes, recording boards, and other accessories, usually lacks an integrated storage solution. Researchers can only loosely bind or scatter them in backpacks and vehicles. During bumpy transportation, these hard metal or plastic parts collide and rub against each other, not only producing unpleasant noise but also causing paint peeling, marker wear, and even permanent deformation of the frame. At the same time, they are also susceptible to contamination from soil, moisture, and plant sap. How to store these devices during the off-season is also a problem; random stacking will take up a lot of space and may lead to further corrosion, aging, or deformation, shortening their service life.

[0028] In summary, traditional plant diversity monitoring quadrats have a series of systemic design flaws in terms of size flexibility, terrain adaptability, connection reliability, equipment integration, and protection. These flaws are not insignificant defects, but rather profoundly affect the efficiency, cost, and quality and reliability of the data obtained from ecological monitoring, thus restricting their effective application in broader and more demanding field environments.

[0029] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figures 1 to 5 A plant diversity monitoring quadrat frame includes a central frame 1, several reinforcing ribs 2 rotatably connected to the central frame 1 at one end, connecting seats 3 rotatably connected to the other end of the reinforcing ribs 2, and two connecting components mounted on the connecting seats 3. An inner sleeve 7 and an outer sleeve 8 are provided between two adjacent connecting components. The inner sleeve 7 and the outer sleeve 8 are slidably connected. The ends of the inner sleeve 7 and the outer sleeve 8 that are far apart from each other are respectively fixedly connected to mounting heads 5. A magnetic metal ring 6 is fixedly connected to the mounting head 5. The mounting head 5 is connected to the connecting components. A scale 9 is fixedly connected to both the inner sleeve 7 and the outer sleeve 8. A fixing seat 10 is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve 8. A locking component is installed in the fixing seat 10. The locking component is used to control the movement of the inner sleeve 7. A first sliding groove 701 is opened on the inner sleeve 7, and a second sliding groove 801 is opened on the outer sleeve 8.

[0030] It should be noted that the outer diameter of the inner sleeve 7 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the outer sleeve 8, allowing the inner sleeve 7 to slide freely within the outer sleeve 8 and change the length of the frame. Furthermore, the first groove 701 on the inner sleeve 7 and the second groove 801 on the outer sleeve 8 are size-matched and together form a complete groove.

[0031] It is worth noting that the central frame 1 is square and located in the center of the device. Four reinforcing ribs 2 are installed at the four corners, and a connecting seat 3 is installed for each reinforcing rib 2. At the same time, an inner sleeve 7 and an outer sleeve 8 are installed between every two connecting seats 3, so that the inner sleeve 7, the outer sleeve 8 and the connecting seat 3 cooperate to form a square frame. When it is necessary to adjust the size of the square frame, the central frame 1 can be rotated, and the connecting seat 3 can be moved to change position through the reinforcing ribs 2. At the same time, the inner sleeve 7 will shrink to achieve the size adjustment.

[0032] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 5 The connecting assembly includes a connector 401 fixedly connected to the connector 3, a magnet 402 fixedly connected to the connector 401, and a positioning pin 403 fixedly connected to the connector 401. The mounting head 5 has an alignment hole 501, and the alignment hole 501 and the positioning pin 403 are slidably connected.

[0033] It should be noted that the magnet 402 is fixed on the inner wall of the connector 401 and has strong magnetism. It attracts the magnetic metal ring 6 on the mounting head 5 to fix the mounting head 5. The alignment hole 501 and the positioning pin 403 on the mounting head 5 are sized to match.

[0034] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 3 The locking assembly includes a cam handle 1101 rotatably connected to the fixed base 10, a locking block 1102 movably connected to the bottom of the cam handle 1101, two round rods 1103 symmetrically fixedly connected to the locking block 1102, and a spring 1104 fixedly connected between the round rods 1103 and the cam handle 1101. The locking block 1102 is slidably connected to the first slide groove 701 and the second slide groove 801.

[0035] It should be noted that the size of the locking block 1102 is adapted to the first slide groove 701 and the second slide groove 801, and the friction between the three is large enough to meet the conditions for friction self-locking, so as to realize the fixing of the locking block 1102 between the inner sleeve 7 and the outer sleeve 8.

[0036] It is worth noting that the cam handle 1101 rotates through a shaft and a fixed base 10. The axis of the connecting shaft is perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer sleeve 8, allowing the cam handle 1101 to rotate within a limited angle range, either lifting or pressing down. The bottom of the cam handle 1101 is designed with a cam profile that matches the top of the locking block 1102. When the cam handle 1101 is rotated, this profile can push the locking block 1102 to move in the vertical direction. The spring 1104 is normally in a compressed state, providing a downward preload to the locking block 1102, enhancing the frictional self-locking effect between it and the slide. When the cam handle 1101 is lifted, the locking block 1102 is lifted upward by overcoming the spring force, thus releasing the lock.

[0037] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 5 The bottom of the connecting seat 3 is provided with a spherical groove 301, and a hinge ball 12 is rotatably connected in the spherical groove 301. A fixing sleeve 13 is fixedly connected below the hinge ball 12.

[0038] It should be noted that the inner surface of the spherical groove 301 at the bottom of the connector 3 is a precision ball-and-socket structure that matches the articulated ball 12, allowing the articulated ball 12 to rotate flexibly with multiple degrees of freedom within the spherical groove 301. The opening diameter of the spherical groove 301 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the articulated ball 12, which constrains the articulated ball 12 within the groove, preventing the articulated ball 12 from falling out while maintaining smooth rotation capability.

[0039] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 5The fixed sleeve 13 is provided with a threaded rod 14, which is fixedly connected to the hinge ball 12. A sliding sleeve 15 is threadedly connected to the threaded rod 14. The sliding sleeve 15 is movably connected to the fixed sleeve 13. A ground nail 16 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding sleeve 15.

[0040] It should be noted that the inner wall of the sliding sleeve 15 is provided with a thread, and this thread is adapted to the threaded rod 14. When the sliding sleeve 15 is rotated, it can make the sliding sleeve 15 move in a straight line.

[0041] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 4 A transparent storage box 17 is fixedly connected to the central frame 1, and a dustproof cloth 18 is provided inside the transparent storage box 17.

[0042] It should be noted that a dustproof cloth 18 is neatly stacked inside the transparent storage box 17. The dustproof cloth 18 is made of a soft, wear-resistant, transparent fabric material with a certain water-repellent function, and its size can completely cover the equipment or area that needs to be protected.

[0043] Refer to the instruction manual appendix Figure 4 The dustproof cloth 18 has several hook and loop fasteners 1801, and the connecting seat 3 has hook and loop hook fasteners 302. The hook and loop fasteners 1801 and hook and loop hook fasteners 302 are movably connected.

[0044] It should be noted that the four Velcro loops 1801 on the dustproof cloth 18 correspond one-to-one with the Velcro hooks 302 on the four connecting seats 3. When the dustproof cloth 18 is unfolded, the Velcro loops 1801 can be accurately aligned with the Velcro hooks 302.

[0045] Working principle: By rotating the central frame 1, the user moves the reinforcing ribs 2 connected to its four corners. The reinforcing ribs 2 push the connecting seat 3 at the other end to move, thereby changing the perimeter of the square boundary formed by the connecting seat 3, inner sleeve 7, and outer sleeve 8. To achieve precise adjustment of the boundary length, the inner sleeve 7 can slide freely inside the outer sleeve 8. The desired size can be read and adjusted using the scale 9 on the outer sleeve 8. Then, the user presses down the cam handle 1101, which is rotatably connected to the fixed seat 10. The cam profile at the bottom overcomes the preload of the spring 1104, pushing the locking block 1102 downward. This causes the locking block 1102 to be tightly embedded in the first sliding groove 701 on the inner sleeve 7 and the second sliding groove 801 on the outer sleeve 8. The huge friction between the three achieves frictional self-locking. At the same time, each connecting seat 3 is connected to the mounting head 5 through its connector 401. During connection, the alignment hole 501 on the mounting head 5 is first aligned with the positioning pin 403 on the connector 401 and inserted to achieve initial positioning. Then, the magnet 402 inside the connector 401 and the magnetic metal ring 6 on the mounting head 5 attract each other to achieve quick and reliable final fixation. The hinge ball 12 in the ball groove 301 at the bottom of the connecting seat 3 can also be rotated in multiple degrees of freedom to adjust the angle of the fixing sleeve 13 below. Then, by rotating the sliding sleeve 15 which is threaded to the threaded rod 14, it can be driven to move linearly along the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 13 under the fixation of the ground nail 16, thereby achieving fine adjustment of the entire sample frame level. After use, the dustproof cloth 18 can be taken out from the transparent storage box 17, unfolded, and glued to the hook side 302 on the connecting seat 3 through the Velcro velvet side 1801 to cover and protect the device.

[0046] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A plant diversity monitoring plot comprising: It includes a central frame (1), several reinforcing ribs (2) rotatably connected to the central frame (1) at one end, a connecting seat (3) rotatably connected to the other end of the reinforcing ribs (2), and two connecting components mounted on the connecting seat (3). An inner sleeve (7) and an outer sleeve (8) are provided between two adjacent connecting components. The inner sleeve (7) and the outer sleeve (8) are slidably connected. The ends of the inner sleeve (7) and the outer sleeve (8) that are far apart from each other are respectively fixedly connected to the mounting head (5). A magnetic metal ring (6) is fixedly connected to the mounting head (5). The mounting head (5) is connected to the connecting components. A scale (9) is fixedly connected to both the inner sleeve (7) and the outer sleeve (8). A fixing seat (10) is fixedly connected to the outer sleeve (8). A locking component is installed in the fixing seat (10). The locking component is used to control the movement of the inner sleeve (7). A first sliding groove (701) is opened on the inner sleeve (7), and a second sliding groove (801) is opened on the outer sleeve (8).

2. A plant diversity monitoring plot frame according to claim 1, characterised in that: The connecting assembly includes a connector (401) fixedly connected to the connector (3), a magnet (402) fixedly connected to the connector (401), and a positioning pin (403) fixedly connected to the connector (401). The mounting head (5) has an alignment hole (501) and the alignment hole (501) and the positioning pin (403) are slidably connected.

3. A plant diversity monitoring plot box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking assembly includes a cam handle (1101) rotatably connected to a fixed base (10), a locking block (1102) movably connected to the bottom of the cam handle (1101), two round rods (1103) symmetrically fixedly connected to the locking block (1102), and a spring (1104) fixedly connected between the round rods (1103) and the cam handle (1101). The locking block (1102) is slidably connected to the first slide groove (701) and the second slide groove (801).

4. A plant diversity monitoring plot box according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the connecting seat (3) is provided with a spherical groove (301), and a hinge ball (12) is rotatably connected in the spherical groove (301). A fixing sleeve (13) is fixedly connected below the hinge ball (12).

5. A plant diversity monitoring plot frame according to claim 4, characterised in that: The fixed sleeve (13) is provided with a threaded rod (14), which is fixedly connected to the hinge ball (12). A sliding sleeve (15) is threadedly connected to the threaded rod (14), which is movably connected to the fixed sleeve (13). A ground nail (16) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the sliding sleeve (15).

6. A plant diversity monitoring plot box according to claim 1, characterized in that: A transparent storage box (17) is fixedly connected to the central frame (1), and a dustproof cloth (18) is provided inside the transparent storage box (17).

7. A plant diversity monitoring plot frame according to claim 6, characterised in that: The dustproof cloth (18) has several hook and loop fasteners (1801), and the connecting seat (3) has hook and loop fasteners (302). The hook and loop fasteners (1801) and the hook and loop fasteners (302) are movably connected.

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