Assemble a meter tape, a random number table, two 0.5x0.5 meter quadrat frames and two meter sticks. Measure the height of the tallest grass plant in the quadrat. Obtain samples for 20 points for each prairie site. Each group will need a meter tape, a meter stick and an identification manual. Your instructors will help you identify the species if you are having trouble.
Individual species respond in different ways to local soil and management conditions.
Height of the plant is a measure of plant vigor and number of flowers an estimate of reproductive potential. Your instructors will help you identify a species to focus upon. Each group will need a meter tape and 2 meter sticks. If the species exists in high density, you can take pick random points as described above, measuring the plant closest to your random point. You should try to measure at least 20 plants of your focal species per prairie site.