In this simulation, I chose to use a distance-based sampling strategy as it best represents my own field project. This was done in the Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area simulation. The fastest sampling technique resulting from this simulation was the systematic method with a time of 4 hours and 15 minutes. In contrast, the other experiment’s sampling time was 4 hours 45 minutes and 5 hours 0 minutes for the haphazard and random sampling methods respectively.
Each sampling technique used a sample size of 24 samples collected in each of the respective fashions. The number of samples taken may reflect the error rates and error rates may be reduced in each sampling strategy by increasing the number of samples taken.
Systematic Sampling Percent Errors
Most Common: Eastern Hemlock (24.5%)
Second Most Common: Yellow Birch (50.3%)
Second Most Rare: Striped Maple (56.0%)
Most Rare: White Pine (116.7%)
Random Sampling Percent Errors
Most Common: Eastern Hemlock (11.2%)
Second Most Common: Chestnut Oak & Sweet Birch (Equivalent values) (11.1% and 33.8% respectively)
Second Most Rare: Striped Maple (21.1%)
Most Rare: White Pine (100%)
Haphazard Sampling Percent Errors
Most Common: Eastern Hemlock (29.9%)
Second Most Common: Red Maple (39.9%)
Second Most Rare: White Pine (100%)
Most Rare: Striped Maple (Equivalent value to White Pine) (100%)
| Technique | Time Spent Sampling | Actual Densities | Estimated Densities | % Error (%) | Average % Error (%) |
| Systematic | 4 Hours 15 Minutes | ||||
| Eastern Hemlock | 469.9 | 354.7 | 24.5 | 39.6 | |
| Sweet Birch | 117.5 | 127.3 | 8.3 | ||
| Yellow Birch | 108.9 | 163.7 | 50.3 | ||
| Chestnut Oak | 87.5 | 81.9 | 6.4 | ||
| Red Maple | 118.9 | 136.4 | 14.7 | ||
| Striped Maple | 17.5 | 27.3 | 56.0 | ||
| White Pine | 8.4 | 18.2 | 116.7 | ||
| Random | 5 hours | ||||
| Eastern Hemlock | 469.9 | 417.5 | 11.2 | 36.1 | |
| Sweet Birch | 117.5 | 77.8 | 33.8 | ||
| Yellow Birch | 108.9 | 70.8 | 35.0 | ||
| Chestnut Oak | 87.5 | 77.8 | 11.1 | ||
| Red Maple | 118.9 | 70.8 | 40.5 | ||
| Striped Maple | 17.5 | 21.2 | 21.1 | ||
| White Pine | 8.4 | 0 | 100.0 | ||
| Haphazard | 4 hours 46 minutes | ||||
| Eastern Hemlock | 469.9 | 610.3 | 29.9 | 46.0 | |
| Sweet Birch | 117.5 | 155.3 | 32.2 | ||
| Yellow Birch | 108.9 | 88.8 | 18.5 | ||
| Chestnut Oak | 87.5 | 88.8 | 1.5 | ||
| Red Maple | 118.9 | 166.4 | 39.9 | ||
| Striped Maple | 17.5 | 0 | 100.0 | ||
| White Pine | 8.4 | 0 | 100.0 |
In graphically analyzing the trends resulting from the results of each sampling technique, it appears there may be a very faint potential relationship, but much more data is needed to draw any definitive conclusions. This would consist of more studied areas, more species documented along with their abundance, and measurements via each sampling technique of all new species. The average accuracy was taken from the percentage error values and haphazard sampling resulting in the highest average error. Though this is not the most accurate representation of how to properly determine the most error-prone methods and only serves as a rough guideline value for this specific experiment. More thorough research must be conducted to definitively determine which method is most accurate.
Average error for each technique (Systematic, Random, and Haphazard left to right)
Sample Calculations:
Percentage Error = |E – T|/|T|*100, where E = estimated value and T = true value
Percentage Error (Eastern Hemlock) = |354.7 – 469.9|/|469.9|*100 = 24.5%
Important Data:
Quadrat: 10m by 10m = 100 sq. m
Total Area: 250m by 300m = 75,000 sq. m
Sampled Area: 2400 sq. m
Estimated Speed Traveled Between Quadrats: 3 mph