Post 4: Sampling Strategies

The fastest technique was Systematic (12hrs 6 minutes), while random and haphazard sampling took 12hrs 46 minutes each.
The percentage error for the two most common vs. rare species:

Systematic sampling:

• • The most common species (Eastern Hemlock)
    E – 404.2
    T – 469.9
    % error = 14%
  • Rare specie (White Pine)
    E – 0.0
    T – 8.4
    % error = 100%

Random sampling:

• • The most common specie (Eastern Hemlock)
    E – 491.7
    T – 469.9
    % error = 4.64%
  • Rare specie (White Pine)
    E – 8.3
    T – 8.4
    % error = 1.19%

Haphazard/subjective:

• • The most common specie (Eastern Hemlock)
    E – 441.7
    T – 469.9
    % error = 6%
  • Rare specie (White Pine)
    E – 8.3
    T – 8.4
    % error = 1.19%

The accuracy varies with species abundance, for the random and haphazard sampling, the most abundant specie (Eastern Hemlock) has a higher percentage error than the least abundant specie (White Pine) thus, these 2 sampling methods accurately work for the least abundant specie (White Pine). While systematic sampling had the least abundant specie (White Pine) with a percentage error of 100% while the most abundant specie (Eastern Hemlock) had a significantly lower percentage error of 14% thus systematic sampling accurately works for Eastern Hemlock. Random sampling seems to be the most accurate than haphazard sampling which is more accurate than systematic sampling.