Blog Post 4: Sampling Strategies

Three sampling strategies were used, based on area, in the Snyder-Middleswarth Natural Area – systematic, random, and haphazard/subjective.  It was observed that the systematic method yielded the fastest sampling time. When comparing the percent error among the different strategies it appeared that accuracy increased with species abundance; lower percent errors for more abundant species were observed with systematic and random sampling techniques, indicating they work well for the most common species.  Conversely, the haphazard method had a lower percent error for one of the least common species, suggesting that this method could work well for rare species.

Sampling Strategy 1: Systematic

Estimated sampling time: 12 hours 7 minutes

Percent error most common species 1: -3.3%

Percent error most common species 2: 10.0%

Percent error least common species 1: 90.3%

Percent error least common species 2: -100%

Sampling Strategy 2: Random

Estimated sampling time: 13 hours 11 minutes

Percent error most common species 1: 6.4%

Percent error most common species 2: 5.5%

Percent error least common species 1: -100%

Percent error least common species 2: -100%

Sampling Strategy 3: Haphazard/subjective

Estimated sampling time: 12 hours 55 minutes

Percent error most common species 1: 31.9%

Percent error most common species 2: -31.9%

Percent error least common species 1: -8.6%

Percent error least common species 2: – 52.4%