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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #214998
Title: Cover pole design for easy transport, assembly and field use.

Author
item Toledo, David
item ABBOTT, LAURIE - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item Herrick, Jeffrey - Jeff

Submitted to: Journal of Wildlife Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2007
Publication Date: 3/1/2008
Citation: Toledo, D.N., Abbott, L., Herrick, J.E. 2008. Cover pole design for easy transport, assembly and field use. Journal of Wildlife Management. 72:564-567.

Interpretive Summary: This article describes the specifications and use of a 'cover pole' designed to increase the ease and consistency of vegetation structure measurements using the cover pole method. Cover poles are primarily used for monitoring hiding cover for wildlife. The cover pole is modular and self-supporting, allowing 1 person to make consistent measurements from the same height. This significantly reduces field sampling costs by reducing the number of field technicians by 50%.

Technical Abstract: Cover poles, also called Robel poles, are used to measure a variety of structural vegetation attributes commonly used in wildlife and livestock management. Although cover pole dimensions, measurement criteria, and interpretation of cover pole data vary depending on measurement objectives, the technical use of cover poles is fairly consistent. Practical use of cover poles requires that they are sturdy, lightweight, and easily transported. We describe a cover pole apparatus that can be easily constructed, transported, and assembled for use in remote locations. This self-supporting cover pole enables one person to take measurements, and can be modified for use in multiple habitats and soil types.