Application of Sample Point software for estimation of soil cover comparing to ocular estimation method in semi-steppe rangelands of Fars

This study was conducted to evaluate the ability of Sample Point software compared with Ocular estimation (O.E.) as a traditional method for estimating soil cover in Semi-steppe rangelands of Arjan area in the west part of Fars province. Estimation of soil cover attributes including canopy cover, litter, stone and bare soils were performed using ocular estimation (O.E.). Simultaneously, the digital images of each plot were obtained using a Canon camera with 8-megapixel quality installed 2 meters height above the sampling plots. Image processing was carried out in Sample Point software version 1.65. The times consumed in different parts of sampling process were also recorded. The results demonstrated that all the soil cover attributes in the two different methods (O.E. and S.P.) were significantly correlated (P≤0.01). The percentage of measured canopy cover, litter, stone cover and bare soil were not significantly different between the two sampling methods (P≤0.05). The time of field work and the overall time which spent in O.E. method was more than S.P. sampling approach. Nevertheless, the lab analysis time in S.P. method was greater than the O.E. method (p≤0.01). Generally; the result of this research indicated that digital imaging techniques can be used by Sample Point software to estimate soil cover appropriately. We therefore introduce and recommend this technique as a practical, easy, inexpensive and repeating method to evaluate the soil cover of Semi-steppe rangelands.