quadrat

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quadrat A basic sampling unit of vegetation surveys. Traditionally, 1 m2 quadrats were used to sample short, nonwoody communities such as grasslands and heathlands. More recently circular and rectangular quadrats have been used, as well as squares of all sizes, depending on the purpose of the survey; e.g., 10 m2 and 20 m2 quadrats are commonly used in woodland studies.

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