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Systems for the selection of truly random samples from tree populations and extension of variable plot sampling to the third dimension

University of British Columbia

Means of drawing truly random samples from populations of trees distributed non-randomly in a plane are practically unknown. Only the technique of numbering all items and drawing from a list is commonly suggested. Two other techniques are developed, reducing plot size and selecting from a cluster with probability (1/M) where M is larger than the cluster size. The exact bias from some other selection schemes is shown by the construction of "preference maps". Methods of weighting the selection by tree height, diameter, basal area, gross volume, vertical cross-sectional area and combinations of diameter and basal area are described. None of them require actual measurement of the tree parameters. Mechanical devices and field techniques are described which simplify field application. The use of projected angles, such as are used in Variable Plot Sampling is central to most of these methods. Critical Height Sampling Theory is developed as a generalization of Variable Plot Sampling. The field problem is simply to measure the height to where a sighted tree is "borderline" with a relaskop. The average sum of these "critical heights" at a point multiplied by the Basal Area Factor of a prism gives a direct estimate of stand volume without the aid of volume tables or tree measurements. Approximation techniques which have the geometrical effect of changing the expanded tree shape are described. The statistical advantages of using the system were not found to be large, and the problems of measuring the critical height on nearby trees was severe. In general use there appears to be no advantage over standard techniques of Variable Plot Sampling, however in situations where no volume tables exist it may have application, and the problem of steep measurements angles to nearby trees can be overcome by using an optical caliper. The system can also overcome the problem of "ongrowth" for permanent sample plots.

Text

2010-03-19

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/22171

Forestry

University of British Columbia

Graduate