Physical Geography Gathering Techniques

Beach Profile Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Safety- tides may cause dangerous working conditions, therefore times carried out much be carefully assessed before the study is carried out.

- Ranging poles must be held straight up when recording slope angle or results will be inaccurate.

- User error when using the clinometer can produce invalid readings and therefore makes the results unreliable.

Beach Profile Analysis- Purpose

Test for changes in the width, height, volume or shape id the beach. It can also be used to identify rock type, cliff profile or sediment size and shape.

Microclimate Analysis- Purpose

A test to Establish and explain the pattern of microclimate variations in an area.

Microclimate Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Weather instruments can be very hard to use and if used incorrectly data produced will be inaccurate and unreliable.

- Digital instruments are more accurate than analogue instruments giving data high accuracy.

- Digital instruments are more unreliable as technical difficulties may occur and therefore may throw off the data collected.

Pebble Analysis- Purpose

Measure the size and shape and fabric of the particles in order to learn about the process involves in the erosion, transportation and deposition of the materials.

Pebble Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- In order to avoid bias, consideration needs to be given to the size of the sample and the method used to select the pebbles.

- The sample size should be large enough to provide a representative sample, yet not too large that it is unmanageable.

Slope Analysis- Purpose

Produce a profile of the slope. The gradient of the slope is one of the main determinants of how land is used. We can investigate the relationship between angle, height and aspect of the slope, the vegetation cover and type, soil depth and moisture content.

Slope Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Data can easily be plotted on a graph to show the changes in slope height.

- Ranging poles must be held straight up when recording slope angle or results will be inaccurate.

- User error when using the clinometer can produce invalid readings and therefore makes the results unreliable.

Soil Analysis- Purpose

Analyse the composition, texture, physical and chemical properties of the soil. Shows how soil quality relates to patterns of vegetation and agricultural potential.

Soil Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Ranging poles must be held straight up when recording slope angle or results will be inaccurate.

- User error when using the clinometer can produce invalid readings and therefore makes the results unreliable.

- Digital instruments are more unreliable as technical difficulties may occur and therefore may throw off the data collected.

Stream Analysis- Purpose

Measures the shape and size, flow velocities and discharge levels. This research provides opportunities for gathering, processing and the analysis of data to find relationships between variables.

Stream Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Ensure you know how to use the equipment otherwise they will produce invalid readings and therefore makes the results unreliable.

- Digital instruments are more accurate than analogue instruments giving data high accuracy.

- Digital instruments are more unreliable as technical difficulties may occur and therefore may throw off the data collected.

Vegetation Analysis- Purpose

Lots of different factors affect soil type and condition of the vegetation. Data collected can be processed and analysed to highlight relationships between vegetation and the climate, soil and other factors.

Vegetation Analysis- Considerations and Limitations

- Vegetation analysis can only occur when plants are visible and growing.

- Data can be put into graphs making it easy to identify patterns and trends and compare locations.

- Digital instruments are more accurate than analogue instruments giving data high accuracy.