Illustrations by Alan Batley

How to make a measuring quadrant

Make a simple quadrant to help you count the wildflowers in your garden or local patch.

Choose your welcome gift when you subscribe to BBC Wildlife magazine!

Sarah McPherson

Published: May 6, 2015 at 5:55 am

All illustrations by Alan Batley

Nail four lengths of wood into a simple square (a square photo frame would also do).

Divide each length of the frame into equal thirds, and mark these points with a pen.

Pin four lengths of string across the frame to divide the quadrat into nine squares.

Place the quadrat in random areas of a field and record the flowers square by square.

Sarah McPherson

Features editor, BBC Wildlife Magazine

Sarah is features editor for BBC Wildlife Magazine. She has been on the title for more than a decade, and in previous lives has also been the magazine’s section editor, acting deputy editor and production editor. Sarah commissions scientists, writers and photographers from across the globe, and has worked with some of the world’s most renowned wildlife experts. She also regularly writes features - on topics ranging from birding in Colombia to the plight of wildlife rangers - and other content for both the magazine and the website.

How to make a measuring quadrant

Nail four lengths of wood into a simple square (a square photo frame would also do).

Divide each length of the frame into equal thirds, and mark these points with a pen.

Pin four lengths of string across the frame to divide the quadrat into nine squares.

Place the quadrat in random areas of a field and record the flowers square by square.

Share this article