Blog post 4: Sampling Strategies

• The technique with the fastest estimated sampling time was the systematic sampling technique which took 12 hours and 35 minutes for 25 samples. However, the random sampling method did not significantly differ in its time frame when compared to the systematic sampling technique. The difference between the systematic and random methods was 9 minutes.

• Systematic sampling method:

Two most common species:

Eastern Hemlock ® (564.0-469.9)/469.9 * 100 = 20.0%

Sweet Birch® (52.0-117.5)/117.5 * 100 = 55.7%

Two least common species

Striped Maple® (16.0-17.5)/17.5 * 100 = 8.6%

White Pine® (12.0-8.4)/8.4 * 100 = 42.3%

• Random sampling method

Two most common species:

Eastern Hemlock® (433.3-469.9)/469.9 * 100 = 7.8%

Sweet Birch® (87.5-117.5)/117.5 * 100 = 25.5%

Two least common species

Striped Maple® (20.8-17.5)/17.5 * 100 = 18.6%

White Pine® (25.0-8.4)/8.4 * 100 = 197.6%

• Haphazard method

Two most common species:

Eastern Hemlock® (492.0-469.9)/469.9 * 100 = 4.7%

Sweet Birch® (64.0-117.5)/117.5 * 100 = 45.5%

Two least common species

Striped Maple® (16.0-17.5)/17.5 * 100 = 8.6%

White Pine® (12.0-8.4)/8.4 * 100 = 42.3%

• The accuracy did change with species abundance. The accuracy decreases as the abundance of a species decreases.

• The most rare species identified as the “White Pine” had a percentage error difference of 42.3% for both the systematic and haphazard method ruling the random method with a percentage difference of 197.6% as the least accurate method. Since the systematic method is the least time-consuming method it is considered overall the best and most accurate method to use.