Replacement of Cover Objects. Rules for deciding what situations will require moving or replacing individual cover objects will need to be developed. Marking of Arrays. Some permanent means of marking the arrays should be established, both visible and concealed, in case of vandalism or disuse. Two foot pieces of rebar pounded into the ground at every 5th cover object can be relocated with a metal detector many years later.
Small flags are useful for refinding boards that are covered by leaves.
What Time of Year to Check Under Cover Objects. In the West, the fall sampling period should begin after the first soaking set of rains, and cease when the first hard freeze occurs. In the East, the fall sampling period should begin 1 month prior to the average hard freeze data in the fall and ends with the first hard freeze. The spring sampling period starts following the complete thawing of the soil column, roughly when temperatures move into the upper 30s and low 40s. Sampling should stop about 2 months after that date or if daytime temperatures begin to regularly exceed the 50s.