This protocol outlines the basic methods for measuring understory percent cover, soil moisture, tree canopy cover, and plant species richness, as well as for collecting plant specimens to be vouchered in the herbarium. These measurements estimate the abundance and presence of plant species in an area, and link them to environmental conditions (soil water and light availability) that may affect their distributions. Together, these data can reveal patterns in plant community or ecosystem processes.The understory percent cover measurements will be made using the line-point intercept method. In this method, a 25m transect is placed along the ground with a 25m by 1m belt transect to either side of it. Percent cover is measured along the transect, along with soil moisture and tree canopy cover. Plant richness is measured in the belt transect and the plant vouchering is done outside of the transect and belt transect area.