7. Taking a core sample within the quadrat
You need to go underground to record life forms in the soil.
Use a 70mm by 110mm steel can (the size of an average baked bean to make a sub-quadrat tool (see really easy design below). Use this to take a core sample of soil within the quadrat.
This sub-quadrat tool took 3 minutes to make, simply:
- Punch 2 holes in the top
- Thread through string and knot inside the can
- Press into ground with foot until base is flat with the surrounding soil
- Give it a twist
- Bingo - you have a core sample!
Then: 
- Remove the sample and place it on a large sheets of newspaper
- Count and identify what life forms you have
- Take what you can't identify back to the classroom or lab
- Return the sample back into the ground