Quadrat mesh at a scale of 1"=4' on stonehenge 26"x40". Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) at a scale of 1"=4' on Clearprint 1000H 26"x40". Photoshop transect at a scale of 1"=4" on paper stock 26"x40". Completed for Design and Visual Studies class. Fall 2012.

Utilizing a combination of USDA soil reports, geologic maps, ecoregion maps, and USGA maps, a transect was constructed within the previously modeled Sierra Vieja sector. Vegetation in ecosystems develops according to various factors, including soil types, slope, aspect, topographic elevation, wind, precipitation, moisture conditions, temperature, and animal interaction. Transects, which cut along a designated line, survey these conditions in order to document the plant communities they support; record the species composition of the canopy, understory, shrub, and herbaceous layers; and delineate the transitions between communities and habitats. 

The quadrate mesh was first constructed utilizing construction lines to delineate a series of 5 transects 200' in length. The spot elevations were then connected to generate the mesh. The TIN was then constructed tracing the underlying mesh using construction lines. The TIN was then scanned and manipulated in photoshop to create the Transect. Using file images, plant communities, rock outcroppings, habitat transitions, etc. were depicted according to their respective elevation, soil conditions, water levels, and geographic position. An index of plant species was included.