Transcript Studland Sand Dunes Fieldwork

Studland Sand Dune Succession
The field work is
carried out from the
beach inland, crossing
the dunes at right
angles.
The transect line is
sighted using
surveying poles and
the tape measure
marks the line of
transect.
Studland Sand
Dunes
Field Work Techniques
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The gradometer is
used to measure the
slope angle of every
metre along the
transect line.
The instrument is
levelled using the
attached spirit level
and the slope angle is
read off using the
attached protractor.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The quadrat is a 50cm
x 50cm square.
The quadrat is placed
alongside the tape
every 5 metres; this is
called a systematic
sample as it is done at
regular intervals
This is at the start of
the survey; notice the
high proportion of
bare sand.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
At each sample point
the vegetation is
identified with
reference to a plant
identification book.
Each plant species is
noted and the Domin
scale is used to give
the percentage cover
of each species.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The tape measure marks the transect line as it crosses the
first ridge which is dominated by marram grass.
The soils are immature, being mainly composed of sand.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The transect has
crossed the first ridge
of marram grass and,
on its landward side,
heather becomes the
dominant species.
The field-work
equipment, namely the
sighting poles, tape,
gradometer and
quadrat, can be clearly
seen.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
Between the first and
second dune ridges is
the slack.
The slack is much
lower than the dune
ridges and the water
table may reach the
surface.
The damper conditions
give rise to a cover of
shrubs and small trees.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The damper conditions
of the slacks give rise
to a distinctive flora.
The honeydew is a
special plant found
under these
conditions.
Tiny insects are
trapped by the sticky
leaves and the plant
feeds on these insects.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
The transect line has
crossed the first ridge
and slack, the latter
shown by the shrubs,
and is about to ascend
the second dune ridge.
Soil samples are also
collected
systematically along
the transect line.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
Soil samples are taken
every 20 metres along
the line of transect.
A trowel is used to dig
out the soil from 100
mm below the surface.
The samples are
labelled and sealed in
plastic bags to
preserve the water
content of the soil.
This sample is almost
pure sand.
Studland Sand Dune Succession
In the foreground is
the top of the second
dune, characterised by
heather and a little
marram grass.
Beyond the second
ridge the dune slopes
steeply down to the
second slack.
Here there is a dense
vegetation of trees and
shrubs.