Pin point method (ecology)

The pin-point method (or point-intercept method) is used for non-destructive measurements of plant cover and plant biomass.

In a pin-point analysis, a frame (or a transect) with a fixed grid pattern is placed above the vegetation. A pin that is inserted vertically through one of the grid points into the vegetation will typically touch a number of plants, and the number of times the pin touches different plant species is recorded. This procedure is repeated at each grid point.