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Sample size, power, and analytical considerations for vertical structure data from profile boards in wetland vegetation

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Abstract

Profile boards are commonly used to estimate vertical cover of herbaceous vegetation in the evaluation of wildlife habitat. However, data from this technique are seldom collected or analyzed in a consistent manner. Therefore, we investigated and evaluated methods of profile-board data collection and analysis using univariate and multivariate techniques. We collected 11,056 samples of vertical-structure data (percent cover) at 2,764 points in 8 playa wetlands in the Southern High Plains of Texas during 1989 and 1990. Visual obstruction data were collected along 5 transects in each playa, with 4 subsamples taken at each point. Data from strata of a profile board rarely followed a normal distribution. Observations among strata were correlated. Initial analysis with a multivariate technique to simultaneously test data from all strata is recommended to control experiment-wise error rates. Only when a significant effect is determined in initial analyses should other multivariate techniques or univariate analyses follow to assess differences. Collecting >1 observation per sampling point (i.e., subsampling) did not affect analysis and is only necessary when subsamples are not correlated. Sampling should be stratified throughout a habitat to account for structural variation within a habitat. Transforming percent cover into scores reduced differences among habitat units and may result in a misrepresentation of the data due to the potential for an indication of plant cover despite no vegetation occurring. When estimating a population mean, we recommend a minimum sample size of 20 points/habitat unit and arcsine transforming percent data to achieve acceptable type 1 error rates. When comparing 2 or more habitats or experimental treatments, arcsine transformation of percent data is not necessary. General procedural recommendations for use of profile board are (1) use a board that is relative in height and strata size to vegetation/animal of interest, (2) use equally spaced strata to avoid biasing results to certain stratum, (3) determine the distance from which to read the board by calculating the distance that results in the most variation in cover values, and (4) use one observer or randomize observers among experimental units.

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Author notes

  1. Hong Zhi Sun

    Present address: Graduate School, Northeast Forestry University, 150040, Harbin, P.R. China

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas Tech University, 79409-2125, Lubbock, Texas, USA

    David A. Haukos

  2. Department of Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management, Texas Tech University, 79409-2125, Lubbock, Texas, USA

    Hong Zhi Sun, David B. Wester & Loren M. Smith

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  1. David A. Haukos
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  2. Hong Zhi Sun
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  3. David B. Wester
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  4. Loren M. Smith
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Haukos, D.A., Sun, H.Z., Wester, D.B. et al. Sample size, power, and analytical considerations for vertical structure data from profile boards in wetland vegetation. Wetlands 18, 203–215 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161656

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161656

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