Line Intercept (LI)

Abstract

The FIREMON Line Intercept (LI) method is used to assess changes in plant species cover for a macroplot. This method uses multiple line transects to sample within plot variation and quantify statistically valid changes in plant species cover and height over time. This method is suited for most forest and rangeland communities, but is especially useful for sampling shrub cover greater than 3 ft (1 m) tall, because it is difficult to ocularly estimate the cover of tall shrubs. The LI method can be used in conjunction with cover-frequency (CF) transects when vegetation over 3 ft (1 m) exists. Line intercept can also be used to calibrate ocular estimates of shrub cover when the Species Composition (SC) method is used. Cover is recorded as the number of ft (m) intercepted by each species along a transect. Percent cover is calculated by dividing the number of ft (m) intercepted by each species by the total length of the transect.

Parent Publication

• FIREMON: Fire effects monitoring and inventory system

Citation

Caratti, John F. 2006. Line Intercept (LI). In: Lutes, Duncan C.; Keane, Robert E.; Caratti, John F.; Key, Carl H.; Benson, Nathan C.; Sutherland, Steve; Gangi, Larry J. 2006. FIREMON: Fire effects monitoring and inventory system. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-164-CD. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. LI-1-13