From the virtual forest tutorial, the data shows that the most efficient sampling method was the random sampling based on distance, providing an estimated time of 12 hours and 5 minutes. The second fastest method was the haphazard area-based sampling, which took an estimated time of 12 hours and 33 minutes. The systematic sampling based on area took the longest, with an estimated time of 12 hours and 35 minutes. From the data presented, there are considerable differences between the rarest and the most common species represented by the standard error in each species. The most common species in each sampling strategy was the Eastern Hemlock and the least common species was the White Pine.
Systemic Sampling (area-based method)
Most common species: Eastern Hemlock
(E – T)/T*100
(380-469.9)/469.9 * 100
= 19.1%
Least common species: White Pine
(E – T)/T*100
(8.4-20.0)/20.0 * 100
= 58%
Random Sampling (distance-based method)
Eastern Hemlock:
(287.8-469.9)/469.9 * 100
= 38.8%
White Pine:
(9.0-20.0)/20.0 *100
= 55%
Haphazard Sampling (area-based method)
Eastern Hemlock:
(633.3-469.9)/469.9 * 100
= 34.8%
White Pine:
(0-20.0)/20.0 * 100
= 100%
While the Haphazard sampling provided the greatest density with regards to the most common species, it yields the largest percentage error when considering the least common species, making It the least accurate method for measuring the White Pine density. The most common method used to estimate the density of the Eastern Hemlock is the area-based systemic sampling method, because it provided the smallest error for the species. By similar means, the best method for sampling the White Pine was the distance-based random sampling method, though the random and systemic sampling show little differences when comparing the outcome. From the virtual experiment, the number of trees present within the selected areas showed no effect on how accurate the sampling strategies were, because the most accurate systemic method held the second largest overall density in the experiment.
NOTE: Pictures are not appearing for me, though they say they are attached.