The Layer Transect
224. This is a modification of the line transect, by means of which the vertical relations of plants are also shown, especially the tendency to form layers which is so regular a feature of forest formations. Owing to the difficulty of charting in three planes, belt transects do not lend themselves to this purpose. Because of the greater complexity, layer transects can rarely exceed ten meters in length except in those formations where layering is little or not at all developed. The simplest method is to establish a line transect in the ordinary way, and then to record the height of each plant as its position is noted. This is done by means of a measuring stick ruled in decimeters, which can be moved from interval to interval along the tape, or better, by two such sticks connected by tapes a meter long at every five decimeters of the sticks. These should be two meters high for woodland, and one meter for grassland. Layer transects often run on even surfaces, but if this is not the case, the usual data for a topographic map should be taken. The final chart is constructed on the scale of 10:1, the height of each plant being indicated by a vertical line equal to .1 of the observed height. A photograph of a representative meter of the transect is taken when the measuring sticks and rods indicated above are in position. Physical factor readings, principally of light, but often also of humidity, temperature, and wind are made at the height of the various layers when these are present.
ECOTONE CHARTS
225. The contour lines of zones and consocies are of the utmost importance in recording the structure of vegetation. They do not permit such accuracy as do quadrats and transects, but this is hardly to be considered a disadvantage in view of the fact that ecotones are rarely sharply defined. In establishing the ecotones of zonation, the width and the length of the base, i. e., the area of excess or deficiency, or as much of it as is to be considered, are determined. This base may be road, ditch, pool, lake, or stream, or the peak or crest of a hill, ridge, or mountain. When the zonation is bilateral, meter tapes are run at right angles to the base, at proper intervals, and the points and the distances where the ecotones cross are noted. In the case of radial zones, the tapes are run in the four cardinal directions, and if the base be large, in the four intermediate ones also, the intersections being likewise noted. From the data thus obtained, the zones may be outlined with a fair degree of accuracy. If the series be an extensive one, it is charted to the scale of 100:1; in cases of small areas, however, the scale of 10:1 will give better results. Whenever the zones show clearly enough to warrant, a photograph is also taken. Water-content readings are of paramount importance in the interpretation of zones. Samples should be taken at all intersections, and the resulting values indicated at the corresponding points upon the chart. When the zones are broken up into alternating patches in consequence of asymmetry in the topography, the ecotones of the latter are traced in a similar fashion from the center of each as a base, the absolute position of which is ultimately determined with reference to the ecotone lines already established.
THE MIGRATION CIRCLE
226. Purpose. The migration circle is designed to record the invasion of species, since it operates outward from an individual or a group of plants as a center. As migration takes place to a certain degree in all directions, a circle is better adapted to the purpose than the quadrat. From the very nature of invasion, migration circles should always he permanent in order that the yearly advance may be accurately noted. Circles of this character are important aids in the study of any vegetation, except, perhaps, one that has practically become stabilized. Their great value, however, is found in succession, where it is necessary to trace the movement of new individuals away from the original invaders as centers of colonization.
227. Location and method. The size of the migration circle is largely controlled by the density of the vegetation, and in some degree by the height of the species also, since this determines the trajectory of the disseminule. In close formations, a circle of 1–, rarely of 5–meter radius can best be used, but in the more open initial stages of succession a radius of 5, 10, or, in exceptional cases such as open woodland, even 25 meters, affords the best results. The location should always be made with a plant or group of plants of the species to be studied as a center. This migration circle differs from the quadrat in that it is used to show the movement of one, rarely two or three species, and not the position of all the plants within it. The center is permanently fixed by driving a labeled stake with the number of the circle and the data. Two tapes the length of the radius are used for recording. These are provided with the usual eyelets, 5 decimeters apart, and are fastened on a peg in the top of the central stake so that they move readily. At the outer ends they are staked 5 decimeters apart by a tape of this length when the radius is 1 meter, and 1 meter when the radius is 5 or 10 meters. The record forms must be especially prepared on blank sheets about 9 inches square. The scale is 10:1 for circles of 1 meter, and 100:1 for those of 5– and 10–meter radius. In the former, concentric circles are drawn about the center at intervals of 5 decimeters, and radii are drawn to the circumference at the same interval. In the larger circles, the intervals are 1 meter. Each segment of the circle is read by means of the two tapes, and the position indicated with reference to the concentric lines and radii. When but one species is read, a tiny circle is used to denote the position of each plant. If more than one is used, the symbols are those already indicated for the quadrat. One tape is left in place and the other with the segment tape is shifted to a new position, and the resulting segment is read as before. The exact position of the base radius is fixed by a label stake, in order that the segments of successive years may exactly correspond. The record sheet is labeled, dated, and filed. By folding at one edge, it may be filed in the regular field book.
228. The denuded circle is established in the same way as a permanent one. The original position of the individuals of the species under consideration may be recorded or not, depending upon the use to be made of the results. The safest plan is first to read the circle in the usual way, and then to denude it. The latter should be done in such a way as to remove all the disseminules from the surface in so far as possible. It is essential also that this be done before the seeds are mature and begin to be scattered. The central plant or cluster is of course not removed. In special cases, all the plants of the species are allowed to remain to serve as centers of colonization. The successive yearly readings of the denuded area are made exactly as for a permanent circle. Permanent and denuded circles, like quadrats, should always be established near each other so that they permit of ready comparison under similar conditions.
229. Photographs of migration circles furnish the most detail when the camera is placed just behind the central group in such a way as to show its relation to the other individuals or clusters of the circle. In the denuded circle, or when the plants stand out conspicuously from the bulk of the vegetation, it is not necessary to use guidons, but in other cases the latter greatly increase the value of the picture. Factor readings are less important for migration circles than for quadrats and transects. The factors of principal importance are those that deal with migration and ecesis, i. e., wind, water-content, and soil temperatures. The former may be determined for both circles in common, but the conditions that affect ecesis must be observed separately for each.