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6. Establishing a Photo Point for Monitoring
Photographs of the release site are a valuable qualitative assessment tool. Photos taken annually from a designated photo point can provide a visual record of trends or changes in the vegetation at the site over time, though it does not necessarily show their causes. Thus, photographs are best used in conjunction with other monitoring techniques.
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Supplies for taking photos
- Camera (digital or 35 mm with color film)
- Norebook and forms
- Previous year's photo (for reference)
- Metal post
- Bright-colored spray paint
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When setting up a photo point, consider the following:
- Always take photographs at the same time of year. Choose the time of year to take the first set of photographs; flowering stages are ideal because of the contrast between flowers and the surrounding vegetation. Taking photographs once a year is sufficient, but it may prove useful to take pictures of the site more frequently.
- Always take photographs from the same direction and at approximately the same time of day.
- Determine the location of the photo point when you establish the release site. If possible, chose a location from which to take photographs that overlooks a large portion of the purple loosestrife infestation.
- Set a colorful metal stake in the infestation as a photo point marker. Include the marker in the photographs. Note and document the location of the photo point marker to find it if it is obscured by vegetation.
- Label images (slides, prints, or digital filenames) clearly, with the year that the photograph was taken.
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