Dear Dr. Ehouman!

In recent years, floristic researches more often carried out using method of grid mapping. There are: Seregin, 2014 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268516782_Flora_of_Vladimir_Oblast_Russia_grid_data_analysis_%28in_Russian%29), Atlas Florae Europaeae (http://www.luomus.fi/en/atlas-florae-europaeae-afe-distribution-vascular-plants-europe), Van Landuyt et al, 2011 (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251528022_Do_the_distribution_patterns_of_vascular_plant_species_correspond_to_biogeographical_classifications_based_on_environmental_data_A_case_study_from_northern_Belgium), etc.

For this, researchers use grid cells of area about 96 sq. km (5' in latitude and 10' in longitude). For small study area you may separate each of these grid cells on 4 small grid cells (2.5' in latitude and 5' in longitude).

Advantage of this method is that you may carry out at least one floristic research at each grid cell and as result you will get preliminary distribution of plants within your study area. Future investigations will supplement and correct these preliminary data.

Best regards,

Anatoliy A. Khapugin

Book Flora of Vladimir Oblast, Russia: grid data analysis (in Russian)

Article Do the distribution patterns of vascular plant species corre...

Thank you Anatoliy

PS:  I m a PhD student not yet a Dr. in ivorian university (West African francophone country)

Tks

There are many answers to your question, most of which depend on what standards are used in similar studies in your region.  A national or regional standard would be good (international even better), but unfortunately, most countries have no such thing and a global consensus is unlikely.  Australia has developed a grid system based on UTM's and natural history collections are recorded and reported within the grids.  By capturing the information gathered by field biologists, they (Australians) have done a good job of capturing geographic information for uncommon species.  In the U.S., all kinds of sampling strategies are used -- with few standards.  I am a floristic botanists and I care about the efficacy of different methods.  My experience is this:  in a 25,000 acre area in Utah, I worked on an inventory that documented 425 species of vascular plants.  Subsequently, a randomized plot survey was developed using 100 meter line transects for 99 plots, with point intercept sampling done every meter.  Over a 20 year period, a total of 210 species were reported.  If biodiversity measures of approximately 1/2 the total species present is considered sufficient, then this kind of methodology might work.  You should visit natural history collections in your area to get some advice from people who know the region.  Hope that helps.  

Hi,

Very important is the aim of your inventory research. What are you interested in ? ...only the creation of the list of all species from your region or some more... special group species (invasive, native, rare etc.), some relations (for example distribution, riches of species, ecological parameters, habitats) or not, at the end you have to select appropriate method which depending on scale of planning research

Good luck

Kasia

Please see Book Flora of Vladimir Oblast, Russia: grid data analysis (in Russian)