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After completing the different sampling techniques and comparing the results, the fastest estimated technique was systematic with an estimated time of 12hr 5mins the next fastest method was haphazard with a sampling time of 12hr 44 minutes. The final and longest sampling method was random with an estimated time of 12hr 55minutes.
The most common species sampled was Eastern hemlock, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -4.2%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of -16.6% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of 27.7%. For the second most common species sweet birch, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -14.9%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 2.8% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of -29.1%. When comparing these two data sets for the most common trees we can see that systematically sampling gave the lowest error percentage for eastern hemlock and randomizes sampling gave the lowest percentage for sweet birch.
The most least species sampled was White pine, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of 98.8%. For the second least common species Striped maple, systematically sampling gave a percentage error of -100%, randomized sampling gave a percentage error of 18.9% and haphazard sampling gave a percentage error of -4.5%. When comparing these two data sets for the least common trees we can see that all sampling methods provide the same results for White pine and haphazard sampling gave the lowest percentage error for Striped maple.
Overall as species abundance decreased percentage error of all sampling methods increase dramatically, from this data set randomized sampling appears to be the most effective
