Sampling Techniques For Forest Inventories: A Comprehensive Guide

In forest inventories, sampling techniques play a crucial role in estimating forest attributes such as timber volume, biomass, and species distribution. It helps in assessing the health and productivity of forests, as well as monitoring changes over time. One popular and widely used reference for sampling techniques in forest inventories is the book "Sampling Techniques For Forest Inventories" by Chapman Hallcrc Applied.

Understanding Forest Inventories

Forest inventories provide valuable information about the composition and characteristics of forests. They are essential for sustainable forest management, making informed decisions about resource allocation, and planning for conservation and restoration efforts. A comprehensive forest inventory includes data on forest stand characteristics, tree species composition, tree density, timber volume, age-class distribution, and much more.

Sampling Techniques for Forest Inventories (Chapman & Hall/CRC Applied Environmental Statistics)

by Daniel Mandallaz(1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6183 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE

The Importance of Sampling Techniques

Conducting a complete census of a forest is virtually impossible due to the vastness of forests and the associated costs and time requirements. Therefore, forest inventories employ sampling techniques to estimate forest attributes using a subset of the total forest area. This subset, or sample, is selected based on certain statistical principles to ensure representativeness and accuracy in estimating the true values for the entire forest.

The choice of sampling technique can significantly impact the quality of forest inventory results. Chapman Hallcrc Applied's book, "Sampling Techniques For Forest Inventories," provides a comprehensive guide to various sampling methods used in forest inventories, including their advantages, limitations, and application scenarios.

Types of Sampling Techniques

The book discusses several sampling techniques, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most commonly used techniques are:

• Simple Random Sampling: This technique involves randomly selecting sample plots within the forest, ensuring equal probability of selection for each plot. It is straightforward to implement but may not account for spatial variability within the forest.
• Stratified Sampling: In this technique, the forest is divided into homogeneous strata based on certain criteria such as species composition or age-class distribution. Sample plots are then randomly selected within each stratum, allowing better representation of different forest attributes.
• Systematic Sampling: Systematic sampling involves selecting sample plots according to a predetermined pattern, such as a grid or transect. It provides good spatial coverage but may introduce bias if there are systematic spatial patterns in the forest.
• Cluster Sampling: Cluster sampling involves dividing the forest into clusters and randomly selecting a certain number of clusters. All trees or sample plots within the chosen clusters are then measured. It is efficient in terms of time and resources but requires careful consideration of cluster size and shape.

Advanced Sampling Techniques

Chapman Hallcrc Applied's book also covers advanced sampling techniques such as two-stage and multi-stage sampling, which are useful for large-scale forest inventories. These techniques involve selecting subsets of sample plots at different stages, providing more precise estimates while maintaining efficiency.

Additionally, the book discusses remote sensing-based sampling techniques that utilize satellite imagery and aerial photographs to assist in sampling design and estimation. This integration of advanced technology with traditional sampling methods has revolutionized the field of forest inventories.

, "Sampling Techniques For Forest Inventories" by Chapman Hallcrc Applied is a must-have resource for professionals and researchers involved in forest inventories. The book provides a comprehensive overview of various sampling techniques, their strengths, limitations, and practical applications. It serves as a valuable guide to ensure accurate and representative estimation of forest attributes, leading to improved forest management and conservation efforts.

Sampling Techniques for Forest Inventories (Chapman & Hall/CRC Applied Environmental Statistics)

by Daniel Mandallaz(1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6183 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	272 pages

FREE

Sound forest management planning requires cost-efficient approaches to optimally utilize given resources. Emphasizing the mathematical and statistical features of forest sampling to assess classical dendrometrical quantities, Sampling Techniques for Forest Inventories presents the statistical concepts and tools needed to conduct a modern forest inventory.

The book first examines design-based survey sampling and inference for finite populations, covering inclusion probabilities and the Horvitz–Thompson estimator, followed by more advanced topics, including three-stage element sampling and the model-assisted estimation procedure. The author then develops the infinite population model/Monte Carlo approach for both simple and complex sampling schemes. He also uses a case study to reveal a variety of estimation procedures, relies on anticipated variance to tackle optimal design for forest inventories, and validates the resulting optimal schemes with data from the Swiss National Forest Inventory. The last chapters outline facts pertaining to the estimation of growth and introduce transect sampling based on the stereological approach.

Containing many recent developments available for the first time in book form, this concise and up-to-date work provides the necessary theoretical and practical foundation to analyze and design forest inventories.