Natural Resource Biometrics

Types of Samples

Samples can be classified in several ways, one of the most relevant to the field of natural resource sampling, is to classify samples by type.

• Systematic sampling - Common method used in natural resource sampling where samples are collected on some fixed pattern.

• Advantages: Easier to implement in the field.

• Disadvantages: Once the pattern is set each sample unit no longer has equal probability of being sampled.  This is often addressed by using a random start for the pattern.

Chapter 2 - Random Sampling pages 16-17,  in:

Zar, J. H. 2007. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 718 pp.

Chapter 12 - Simple Random Sampling  pages 156-192, in:

Husch, B., T. W. Beers and J. A Kershaw. 2003. Forest Mensuration. Fourth Edition. John Wiley and Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey 443 p.

Chapter 6 - Sample Designs - Random Sampling pages 200-236, in:

Krebs, C. J. 1998. Ecological Methodology. Harper and Row, Publishers. New York. 654 pp.