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Sampling methods:
I used the area based systematic, area based random, and area based haphazard methods to sample the Snyder-Middlesworth Natural Area.
The area based haphazard method had the fastest sampling time at 12 hours and 28 minutes, followed by area based systematic at 12 hours and 46 minutes, and area based random at 12 hours and 52 minutes.
Percentage error for the two most common species:
Eastern Hemlock
Systematic: 8.1%
Random: 5.1%
Haphazard: 1.6
Red Maple
Systematic: 5.8%
Random: 29.7%
Haphazard: 22.6%
Percentage error for the two rarest species:
Striped Maple
Systematic: 100%
Random: 28.6%
Haphazard: 18.9%
White Pine
Systematic: 90%
Random: 48.8%
Haphazard: 98.8
There appears to be a strong correlation between higher species abundance and higher sampling accuracy, with significantly higher percentage error in the sampling of the rarest species than the sampling of the most common species.
For the two most common species i found the systematic sampling strategy to be the most accurate, while for the two rarest species Random sampling was the most accurate. There appeared to be great variation in the accuracy of the three strategies, and there was no overwhelming stand out in terms of accuracy.
