LUX METER

A lux meter is an equipment that measures the brightness falling on an object at a particular area.
In other words, it properly measures the intensity of light at which brightness appears to the
human eye. Lux can be simply defined as a unit of measurement of illuminance or brightness. It
compares the impacts of different lighting conditions by measuring illuminance.
Basic Principle
Lux meter quantifies the brightness of a lit surface by measuring luminous flux per unit of area
and must have the same sensitivity as that of the human eye for each light wavelength with
cosine correction for the angular incidence of light. Lux meter consists of a light sensor
consisting of a photo-diode that converts light into an electrical signal; an optical filter that
ensures the same sensitivity as the human eye, and a diffusing globe that facilitates cosine
correction.
Ecological Applications
1. We are aware that the intensity of light controls plant growth and distribution. Lux meter
helps in classifying plants on the basis of their requirement for light. Sciophytes are the
shade loving plants which do not require high light intensity for their growth.
2. It is widely used in forest management studies in tropical ecosystem where growth of
seedlings and ground vegetation is dependent on the amount of light filtered through the
dense canopy.
3. lux meter is often used in photosynthetic studies to measure the effect of light on rate of
photosynthesis
4. It plays a crucial role in horticultural management as it correctly identifies the plants on
the basis of light for plantation in a proper manner desired for a particular landscape
5. Bright light or light of higher intensity favors development of flowers, fruits and seeds in
some plants. Also, light of lower intensity promotes the development of vegetative parts.
Lux meter by measuring the light intensity helps in determining the type of growth.

ANEMOMETER
An anemometer is an instrument that is used for measuring the velocity of wind. It is used in
weather stations, and the name for this device is derived from the Greek word 'anemos', which
means 'wind'. There are various kinds of anemometers that have been developed from around the
fifteenth century onwards. The five major types of anemometers are: Cup anemometer, Windmill
anemometer, Hot Wire anemometer, Laser Doppler anemometer and Sonic anemometer.
Basic Principle
Commonly used anemometer for laboratory purposes is Hand-held digital anemometer which is
a modification of Windmill anemometer or vane anemometer. This type of anemometer has a
spinning wheel/fan. The stronger the wind blows, the faster the wheel/fan rotates. This fan/wheel
remains attached to the generator and an electronic circuit. Together they work on cycling
dynamics i.e., more the rotations per minute, more is the electric current production. Thus,
anemometer initially counts the number of rotations, which are then used to calculate wind speed
in m/sec, Km/h etc.
Ecological Applications
1. It is essential for collection of long-term environmental data about an area.
2. It also measures wind speeds to determine a suitable spot for a growing plot.
3. Where there are no trees or hills protecting a plot, an anemometer can help us decide
where to erect wind breaks.
4. It helps in determining if the conditions are suitable for spraying or dusting crops with
fertilizers or pesticides. If wind speed is high then sprays and fertilizers will simply drift
and be wasted.
5. Also helps to determine a good time to take samples of plants from your crop fields. If a
plant is stressed from wind then it may go into a self-defense mode. Hence, not advisable
to sample at this time.
6. Anemometers are used to estimate the wind velocity gradient and wind direction in the
forest to determine the air turbulences in the plant cover.
7. Allows researcher to design strategies for wind pollinated plants by providing them the
details about optimal wind velocity required for successful pollination.

SOIL THERMOMETER
This is actually a mercury thermometer, the bulb of which is kept inside of a metal cone to
facilitate the penetration into the soil. The upper side of the metal cone is fixed with a wooden
shaft which supports the stem of thermometer to see the reading. In digital thermometers the
upper part is wired to a digital reader that shows the temperature
Basic Principle
It is based on the principle of thermal expansion of liquid. When the liquid gets hotter, it expands
and provide the corresponding reading in digital monitor screen
Ecological Applications
1. There is an optimal 'growing' temperature for each plant. With millions of different
plants, there are different optimal temperatures for them. Soil thermometers help in
estimating optimal temperature that helps gardeners to grow the plants accordingly or by
providing them with the required condition
2. Many ions in the soil are available at a particular temperature. Soil thermometer provides
the data for planting suitable crops in a particular season.
3. It is used to study the temperature required for seed germination in soil. It helps in
making sure that the ground is ready for the seeds to germinate.
 4. Very useful in deserts and sea shores where nutrients and water availability vary sharply
with temperature within the soil.
MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM THERMOMETER
Maximum and minimum thermometer or Six’s thermometer is a registering thermometer which
can record the maximum and minimum temperatures reached over a period of time, especially in
a period of 24 hours. It is used to record the extremes of temperature at a location, in both
meteorology and horticulture. It was invented by a British scientist James Six.
Basic Principle
It consists of a U-shaped glass tube with two separate temperature scales set along each arm of
the U. One of these scales is for recording the maximum temperature encountered and the other
for the minimum temperature. The arms of the U-shaped tube terminate in sealed glass bulbs.
The bulb at the top of the minimum reading scale arm is full of alcohol, while the other arm
contains a vacuum (or low pressure alcohol vapour)
In the bend of the U is a section of mercury, a metal which is liquid at normal
temperatures. This is pushed around the tube by the thermal expansion and contraction of the
alcohol in the first bulb as it responds to the external temperature. The vacuum in other bulb
allows free movement of the alcohol and mercury. It is the alcohol which measures the
temperature; the mercury indicates the temperature reading on both scales. This is unlike a
normal mercury thermometer, in which the expansion and contraction of mercury itself indicates
temperature. The maximum and minimum temperatures is indicated by metal pins placed over
the mercury at both ends.
Ecological Applications
1. Often used by gardeners and also as an ideal instrument for use in the greenhouses. It
monitors minimum temperature levels during the colder months when frost can be a huge
problem and also keeps an eye on the maximum temperature during the warmer months.
2. Used in orchards for recording maximum and minimum temperature, thereby managing
the plants accordingly.
3. Extensively useful in orchid plantations where fluctuation in temperature rapidly effect
the growth and propagation of the species.
4. Used by researchers to find out the temperature ranges to which a particular plant is
exposed.

HYGROMETER
This instrument is used in meteorological science to measure the humidity or the amount of
water vapor in the air. It is a useful instrument measuring the relative humidity present in the
atmosphere at any given place and time. Humidity measurement instruments also rely on other
parameters like the temperature, pressure, mass or a mechanical or electrical changes in a
substance as moisture is absorbed.
Basic Principle
There are two basic methods for measuring humidity
A) The oldest method for measuring relative humidity is the psychrometric method
commonly known as the “wet” and “dry” bulb method. A psychrometric sensor
does not directly sense humidity, but rather it senses temperature to indirectly find
relative humidity. The first sensing element, the dry bulb measures the ambient
temperature. The second sensing element, the wet bulb is enclosed in a wick saturated
with distilled water. Air forced across the wet bulb creates evaporation cooling it
below the ambient temperature. The amount of evaporation (cooling) is dependent on
the vapor pressure of the air. Using the wet and dry bulb temperatures, the relative
humidity can be looked up on a psychrometric chart.
B) Hygrometric Method: The hygrometric method of relative humidity sensing is the
most common. These instruments are generally compact, reliable, and inexpensive.
Hygrometric humidity sensors provide an output that is directly indicative of
humidity. The first humidity sensing elements were mechanical in nature. Physical
dimensions of various materials change with the adsorption of water like hair, animal
membrane and some plastics. To build a sensor from these materials, the element is
kept in tension with a spring. The displacement caused by a change in the moisture
content of the air is monitored by a strain gage. The output of this strain gage is
directly proportional to the relative humidity.
Ecological Applications
1. Hygrometer helps in identification of plants for a particular moisture regime
2. Enables gardeners and farmers to find out weather conditions for efficient irrigation
during unpredictable conditions.
3. Helps in recording the optimal moisture conditions for a germinating seed and growing
seedlings
4. Moisture is a prerequisite for successful propagation of most of the tropical ornamental
plants especially orchids. Hygrometer helps in proper monitoring of the moisture
conditions required by these plants
5. Often used in green houses and orchards

RAIN GAUGE
The standard instrument for the measurement of rainfall is the 203mm (8 inch) rain gauge. This
is essentially a circular funnel with a diameter of 203mm which collects the rain into a graduated
and calibrated cylinder. The measuring cylinder can record up to 25mm of precipitation. Any
excess precipitation is captured in the outer metal cylinder. The top of the rain gauge is 0.3m
above the ground.
Principle
Rain gauges measure rainfall by accumulating rain water in a bucket that tips and drains after a
certain amount of rainwater has been collected. Recording of rainfall using the standard or funnel
rain gauge is generally done manually. These gauges work by catching the falling rain in a
funnel-shaped collector that is attached to a measuring tube. According to the Spokane National
Weather Service office, these tubes are usually 8 inches and have been in use for more than a
century. The diameter of the collector is 10 times that of the tube; thus, the rain gauge works by
magnifying the liquid by a factor of 10. Magnifying the rain in this way allows precise
measurements down to one-hundredth of an inch. Amounts that exceed the tube capacity are
caught in the outer shell of the gauge, allowing the recorder to pour out the liquid in the tube and
fill it back up if needed.
Applications
It is used to study the present as well as the future condition of water resources.
It is used to determine the amount of rainfall with respect to the time at a particular place or area.
It is used to predict the water precipitation at a particular place to make a stable structure like a
dam, road, etc.
Rain gauge help to design the drainage by showing the discharge of precipitation at given
interval of time.