A Robel pole is a device consisting of a vertical pole possessing alternating horizontal bands and a line of rope or cord. It is used by range ecologists, field biologists and other scientists to measure the density of vegetation and to quantify the volume of ground cover in a particular

habitat In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...

using the visual obstruction (VO) measurement method. The Robel pole is named for Robert J. Robel, the scientist who developed the device and technique. Modifications of Robel's original design have been developed and published; all use the VO method.

References

*Robel, R. J. et al. 1970. Journal of Range Management. 23:295 *Murray, L. D. and Ribic, C. A. 2003. Field Season Report

USGS The United States Geological Survey (USGS), formerly simply known as the Geological Survey, is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, a ...

BRD WCWRU *Best, L. B. et al. 1998. American Midland Naturalist. 139:311-324 Measuring instruments {{ecology-stub