User: | Open Learning Faculty Member:
After completing the virtual survey of the Snyder-Middleswarth Natural area, there were some interesting observations in regards to the time and accuracy for each sampling method in relation to the population density.
Fig 1.0 – Survey Stats
OBSERVATIONS REGARDING DATA:
The technique which had the fastest estimated sampling time turned out to be the systemic transects at 12 hours and 35 minutes.
The percentage of error was lowest with the haphazard selection. This was surprising because it allows for inherent bias. When I conducted the virtual selection of survey quadrats, 5 locations were selected in the medial aspect of each topographical section, and spaced equally from west to east. This way a similar sample location was chosen along each topographical feature.
The fact that this was the lowest percentage of error is surprising as I was worried my bias would affect the outcome, but apparently because I applied a system it actually negated an increase in error.
The species abundance also affected accuracy. As the abundance decreased, we saw a decrease in accuracy. The accuracy could likely be improved with an increased sampling size. With any sampling, the lower sample size runs a higher percentage of error.
Overall the haphazard selection appeared to be more accurate than others, but likely due to the systematic bias I introduced by surveying plots equally distanced from one another in an almost grid shaped pattern.
