For this investigation, the authors used an Invicta
clinometer ('Invicta' Plastics Limited, England) and instructions are specific to this instrument.
If you are unwilling to spring for the cost of a handheld
clinometer, there is another option if you own an iPhone: Several inexpensive apps turn your phone into an accurate
clinometer.
This is done by taking a slope reading using a
clinometer from the base of the headcut to the gully length downstream, where a range pole is positioned in the middle of the gully Gully length was measured using a meter tape, through a series of traverses along the gully extent, from the headcut towards downstream, ending at the point that depth was less than 30.48 cm (1 ft).
These were: light intensity at the face of the shelter [Yokogawa lux meter, Yew 3281], moisture of the soil at the base of the tree [Hydrosense, Campbell Scientific, Australia], ground slope (using a
clinometer), ground cover (i.e., percent area leaf litter, bare ground, vascular plants) and the depth of loose litter above firm soil.
The gradient of each plot was measured with a
clinometer. Surface stoniness and litter were estimated as percentages.
At that marked point, they used a
clinometer (forester's instrument that measures height/slope in order to determine tree height based on the angle of measurement) <See Figure 1> to measure the height of the tree.
The essential tools of the soil surveyor have been the base map (either a geologic map or an aerial map), a spade, an auger or probe, a
clinometer to determine slope, a soil color chart or set of color vials, and experience (Figure 15-1).
For example, they use an increment borer to age trees, soil pH and temperature meters, and a
clinometer to estimate the height of the trees."
Height of randomly selected trees along plot boundaries was measured with a
clinometer. Trunk diameter at 1.3 m above ground surface (dbh) was measured with a diameter tape.
The height of trees was measured to the nearest 0.1 m using a Suunto
clinometer. In the rest of the plantations the average parameters of trees were estimated visually.
One or two days prior to the expedition, the math teacher demonstrates the use of a
clinometer to calculate the height of various distant objects like mountains (i.e., buildings) and trees that the explorers will encounter on their journey (See insert on Handout B).
