Equipment Used and possible investigations

 The photographs show some of the equipment used during a woodland investigation.

Amazingly, these photos were taken in a coniferous forest, in the daytime in July - it was pouring with rain!

A Clinometer used to measure the angle of slope.

An Alba Windwatch not only measures microclimate data, but can provide useful physiographic information such as altitude.

Top left image shows a clinometer used to measure the angle of slope. Some steeper slopes (over 23 degrees) may have thinner soils and are therefore no able to support complex, deep-rooted vegetation such as shrubs, bushes and trees.

Some projects may investigate physiographic factors (such as topography) and see whether these influence the vegetation that can grow there.

Bottom left image shows the Alba Windwatch manufactured by Silva. Battery operated, is is highly portable, however the results must be transferred directly, by hand, onto a data recording sheet as.

It is ideal, as it gives immediate readings, however it is always advisable to carry primary data recording equipment that is not electronic - as a back-up!