Many of the forms used to collect monitoring data require the
use of dot tallies. This method is quite effective for recording
plant counts without losing your place when counting.
The method for dot tallying is really quite simple. For each
plant count, you will place either a dot or a dash on your monitoring
form to create a dot tally “square”. When you reach
the count of ten, you will have a completed “square”.
Here are the steps for counting plants or “hits’ using
a dot tally system.
Starts your count (1, 2, 3, and 4) with dots to create the
four corners of a square.
Counts 5, 6, 7, and 8 create the sides of the square by connecting
the dots from counts 1-4.
Counts 9 and 10 connect the diagonal dots creating an “X” inside
the square.
By using this method, you have a quick and easy way of counting plants,
particular plant species, or “hits” such as litter, gravel,
etc.
This animation illustrates the process -- click "Start" to begin.
