A Planar Intersect Method for Sampling Fuel Volume and Surface Area

Abstract The method requires a tally of intersections between sampling planes and vegetative particles categorized by size and shape classes. These planes may be of any size and positioned at any orientation with respect to the ground. The method applies to both randomly and nonrandomly oriented particles that approximate either circles or rectangles in cross section. Estimates that accounted for all angles of particle intersection were more accurate than estimates that assumed perpendicular angles of intersection in a cheatgrass field test. Forest Sci. 17:96-102.