User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
In the online sampling simulation, I chose to sample the Mohn Mill site using distance sampling. I found that systematic distance sampling had the fastest estimated sampling time with 4 hours and 7 minutes.
The percent error for species density of the two most common and two rarest species at the Mohn Mill site using distance systematic sampling is as follows:
red maple = |(392.4-403.7)/403.7|x100 = 2.799%
white oak = |(49.9-74.5)/74.5|x100 = 33.0%
yellow birch = |(0.0-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 100%
white ash = |(0.0-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 100%
The percent error for species density for the same species as above using distance random sampling is as follows:
red maple = |(380.8-403.7)/403.7|x100 = 5.673%
white oak = |(53.3-74.5)/74.5|x100 = 28.5%
yellow birch = |(7.6-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 850%
white ash = |(0.0-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 100%
The percent error for species density for the same species as above using distance haphazard sampling is as follows:
red maple = |(735.5-403.7)/403.7|x100 = 82.19%
white oak = |(157.6-74.5)/74.5|x100 = 112%
yellow birch = |(0.0-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 100%
white ash = |(0.0-0.8)/0.8|x100 = 100%
The more abundant the species, the more accurate the sampling. Conversely, the less abundant the species, the less accurate the sampling.
Systematic sampling appears to be the most accurate sampling method, followed by random sampling, and finally haphazard sampling.
