Paper 1 · vegetation survey methodology
When surveying the vegetation of a small area (about 10 km²) to detect change over time, which of the following is a vegetation characteristic a surveyor would record at each sample point?
ASpecies present and percentage ground cover of vegetation
BThe underlying soil type and parent rock found beneath the site
CThe mean annual rainfall and temperature recorded for the region over the past decade
DThe number of visitors who have crossed the site during the current calendar year
Explanation: A vegetation survey records the vegetation itself: which species are present, their height/structure, and the percentage of ground they cover. Soil type, regional climate records and visitor numbers may relate to vegetation but are not vegetation characteristics observed in the field.
Derived from ZIMSEC Geography Paper 1, June 2004, Q2
