A herbaceous vegetation community investigation quadrat frame with height measuring function

Abstract

The utility model relates to field investigation equipment technical field in the field of ecology, agronomy and grassland science, especially relates to a herbaceous vegetation community investigation quadrat frame with height measuring function. The utility model provides a herbaceous vegetation community investigation quadrat frame with height measuring function, including quadrat board, folding board and mounting plate etc.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of field survey equipment technology in the fields of ecology, agronomy and grassland science, and in particular to a herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrature with height measurement function. Background Technology

[0002] A quadrat is a basic field survey tool widely used in fields such as ecology, botany, environmental science, and agricultural and forestry science. It is used to delineate a standard area of ​​plot (sample area) in order to systematically observe, record, and analyze the ecological characteristics of plants in that area, such as species, quantity, distribution, cover, height, and biomass.

[0003] Currently, the most commonly used transect frames in the field are typically 1 meter by 1 meter or 50 cm by 50 cm squares. Their structure usually consists of four rods connected end to end by hinges, which can be folded and stored in a straight line. When in use, they can be unfolded and connected to form a closed square, making them highly portable. When used in ecosystems with low grass layer (not very tall) such as alpine meadows, these traditional transect frames can be placed close to the ground and stably, with clearly visible boundaries, resulting in accurate and reliable survey data. However, when encountering artificial grasslands with taller plants, such as Leymus chinensis, Leymus chinensis, and Alfalfa, their drawbacks become apparent. The grass height in these artificial grasslands can typically reach 20-40 cm (e.g., around 25 cm). When a traditional transect frame is "thrown down" or placed, the entire frame will be completely buried in the dense grass, making it difficult for operators to quickly and accurately locate and identify the transect boundaries from a distance.

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, there is a need for a vegetation survey quadrat that can adapt to different grass heights, maintain clear and visible boundaries, and assist in measurement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of transects being easily submerged and having unclear boundaries, leading to inaccurate and imprecise measurement data when conducting vegetation surveys in tall artificial grasslands, this utility model provides a transect for herbaceous vegetation community surveys with height measurement functionality.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A herbaceous vegetation community survey transect frame with height measurement function, comprising a transect plate, a folding plate, a mounting plate, a connecting plate, a fixing sleeve, a movable support rod, a scale strip, a fixing cone, and a locking screw. There are two transect plates, and the inner sides of the two transect plates are symmetrically connected to the folding plates. The two folding plates at the same position at the front and back are rotatably connected to the mounting plate. The outer sides of each transect plate are symmetrically connected to the connecting plates. The bottom of each connecting plate is fixedly connected to the fixing sleeve. The inside of each fixing sleeve is slidably connected to the movable support rod. Each movable support rod is inlaid with multiple scale strips. The bottom of each movable support rod is connected to the fixing cone. Each fixing sleeve is threadedly connected to the locking screw.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, each fixed cone is conical.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, each locking screw is provided with a knob.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, each scale bar is made of anodized aluminum alloy.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, each folded plate is rotatably connected to the template plate via a pivot.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of this utility model, each folding plate is rotatably connected to the mounting plate via a pivot.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By simply adjusting the extension and retraction height of the four legs, the main body of the quadrat frame formed by the quadrat board and the folding plate can be stably suspended above the grass layer. For low meadows, the legs can be shortened to make the frame close to the ground; for tall artificial grasslands, the legs can be extended to raise the frame significantly above the grass layer, ensuring that the boundary is always clearly visible and completely avoiding interference caused by plant lodging and the frame pressing down on the grass. The height scale on the movable support rod integrates the function of grass layer height measurement in addition to the core function of delineating the quadrat area. This reduces the amount of equipment carried by field workers, simplifies the operation process, improves work efficiency, and achieves a "more accurate and scientific" survey. In addition, the quadrat board, folding plate, and mounting plate can be folded by rotating the connection between them, resulting in low cost, easy production and promotion. The whole structure is still foldable, the legs are retractable, and the portability is excellent, making it very suitable for field work. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the folding plate, mounting plate, and connecting plate of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a folding diagram of the template, folding plate, and mounting plate of this utility model.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the fixed sleeve and movable support rod of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the fixing sleeve of this utility model.

[0018] The markings in the attached diagram are: 1: sample plate, 2: folding plate, 3: mounting plate, 4: connecting plate, 5: fixing sleeve, 6: movable support rod, 7: scale bar, 8: fixing cone, 9: locking screw. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0020] Example: A quadrat structure for surveying herbaceous vegetation communities with height measurement function, such as... Figures 1-5As shown, the system includes a quadratic template 1, a folding plate 2, a mounting plate 3, a connecting plate 4, a fixing sleeve 5, a movable support rod 6, a scale strip 7, a fixing cone 8, and a locking screw 9. There are two quadratic templates 1, which together form the main frame of the quadratic frame, defining the two opposite sides of the standard survey area. Folding plates 2 are symmetrically connected to the inner surfaces of both quadratic templates 1. Each folding plate 2 is rotatably connected to the quadratic template 1 via a pivot, enabling the quadratic frame to fold laterally. When folded, it can fold inwards, significantly reducing its size for easy carrying and transportation. Mounting plates 3 are rotatably connected between two folding plates 2 at the same position on the front and back, and each folding plate 2 is rotatably connected to the mounting plate 3 via a pivot. Connecting plates 4 are symmetrically connected to the outer surfaces of each quadratic template 1, and each connecting plate 4 is fixedly connected to a keyway at its bottom. There are fixed sleeves 5, and each fixed sleeve 5 has a movable support rod 6 slidably connected inside, which is used to adjust the overall height of the quadrat frame off the ground. Its length is adjustable so that the quadrat frame can adapt to different grass layer heights. Each movable support rod 6 is embedded with multiple scale bars 7, which are used to directly read the extension length of the support rod and then calculate the grass layer height, realizing the integrated function of quadrat delineation and grass height measurement. Each scale bar 7 is made of anodized aluminum alloy, which has the characteristics of high brightness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and clear and durable scale. Each movable support rod 6 has a fixed cone 8 connected to its bottom. Each fixed cone 8 is conical and is used to insert into the soil to firmly fix the entire quadrat frame to the ground. Each fixed sleeve 5 is threaded with a locking screw 9. Each locking screw 9 has a knob. By rotating it, the movable support rod 6 can be tightened or loosened.

[0021] Step 1: Preliminary estimation and adjustment. First, staff observe the grass height of the artificial grassland to be tested (e.g., drooping crested grassland) to estimate its approximate height. Then, manually pull the movable support rods 6 at the four feet outward from the fixed sleeves 5, initially adjusting them to a height slightly higher than the grass layer. This ensures the main body of the quadrat frame formed by the quadrat board 1 and the folding board 2 is completely suspended above the vegetation. After adjustment, the movable support rods 6 are initially fixed in the fixed sleeves 5 by rotating the knob on the locking screw 9 to prevent slippage. After Step 1, Step 2 can be performed. Step 2: Placement and fixation. Place the entire quadrat frame in the target plot, ensuring the conical ends of the four fixed cones 8 are vertically inserted into the soil. During insertion, ensure the quadrat frame is placed stably, the main body is basically horizontal, and the force is evenly distributed at the four corners. Because the fixed cones 8 penetrate deep into the soil, the main body of the quadrat frame is supported, and the entire frame is suspended above the grass layer. The quadrat frame has clearly visible boundaries, facilitating accurate subsequent surveys. After the second step is completed, the third step can be performed: accurately measuring and surveying the grass layer height. This is done by reading the scale bar 7 on the movable support rod 6. Specifically, observe the scale value on the movable support rod 6 corresponding to the lower edge of each fixed sleeve 5, and take the average of the four values ​​as the representative grass layer height of the quadrat. Record this value immediately. After completing the third step, the fourth step can be performed: retrieval and transfer. After completing the survey of the current sample point, pull the quadrat frame out of the soil, loosen the four locking screws 9, and completely retract the movable support rod 6 into the fixed sleeve 5 to shorten the overall height and facilitate carrying. Then, through the pivot structure between the folding plate 2 and the mounting plate 3, fold and retract the entire quadrat frame to form a compact structure, which can be easily transferred to the next sample point. Repeat the above operations.

[0022] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A quadrat frame for surveying herbaceous vegetation communities with height measurement function, characterized in that, It includes a sample plate (1), a folding plate (2), a mounting plate (3), a connecting plate (4), a fixing sleeve (5), a movable support rod (6), a scale strip (7), a fixing cone (8), and a locking screw (9). The sample plate (1) is symmetrically arranged front and back. The two sample plates (1) are symmetrically connected to the folding plate (2) on the opposite side. The two folding plates (2) at the same position are symmetrically connected to the mounting plate (3). The outer side of each sample plate (1) is symmetrically installed with a connecting plate (4). The bottom of each connecting plate (4) is installed with a fixing sleeve (5). The inside of each fixing sleeve (5) is slidably connected with a movable support rod (6). Each movable support rod (6) is inlaid with multiple scale strips (7). The bottom of each movable support rod (6) is fixedly connected with a fixing cone (8). The upper part of each fixing sleeve (5) is threaded with a locking screw (9).

2. A herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrat frame with height measurement function as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each fixed cone (8) is conical.

3. A herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrat frame with height measurement function according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each locking screw (9) has a knob.

4. A herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrat frame with height measurement function according to claim 3, characterized in that, Each scale bar (7) is made of anodized aluminum alloy.

5. A herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrat frame with height measurement function according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each folding board (2) is rotatably connected to the sample board (1) via a pivot.

6. A herbaceous vegetation community survey quadrat frame with height measurement function according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each folding plate (2) is rotatably connected to the mounting plate (3) via a pivot.

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