Tool User II

Just found this image of running transects during the Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). U Myint Maung, the Warden of the Hukaung Tiger Reserve, is steadying the yellow transect rope; I am getting ready to record the data for the next plot. Can't help noticing how much stuff I am carrying: I have a Spiegel relascope to measure rattan heights and slopes, a 30 m loggers tape to measure the distance from a sample plant so that I can measure its height, a GPS device in the side pocket of my pack (don't want to get lost), and the blue tube of a Camelback hydration bag over my shoulder (in case I get thirsty). And then, of course, my green "Rattan Survey Hukaung" cap, which, surprisingly, I still have and is hanging up on the coat rack in my office as I write this. [NOTE: I am so ready to go back to Myanmar, and it appears that I have been approved to start community forestry work in Sagaing Division next month. Fingers crossed. I can only assume that U Tun Shaung took this picture (thx, Tun Shaung)].   

Field Equipment

My field research is decidedly low-tech (see Transect Ropes Redux).  You really don't need much stuff to lay out an inventory transect: 1) a transect rope with knots to correct for slope (yellow nylon), 2) a Silva ranger compass to keep you going straight, 3) a Speigel Relaskop for measuring slopes and heights (in leather case), and 4) Forestry Suppliers fieldbook for recording the data (I use their orange, hardback, six column Level book, No. 5737). 

[NOTE: Image is from the 2005 rattan survey in the Hukaung Valley, Myanmar (see Hukaung Valley Rattan Survey). With the exception of the transect rope, I still have - and use - all of these tools].