Miconia surveys are conducted in forests, river drainages, and fallow fields within the range of known infestations.  Ground crews in East Hawaii begin surveys at the mature tree site, and extend outwards to about 250 meters.  If immature miconia is still being found, surveys are extended even further, up to a kilometer away from the mother tree. If another mature tree is found, the distances now start from that tree.   Aerial surveys pick up where the ground crews leave off, and continue the outward search pattern.

A clear buffer (completely swept and no plants found) of about 500 meters beyond the most distant immature plant should be the outward bounds of the infestation.