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Improved fixed-count stand-level estimators of stem density, mean diameter, and basal area

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Abstract

A novel fixed-count (FC) estimator of stem density and inverse distance weighted (IDW) fixed-count estimators of mean diameter (DBH) and basal area (BA) were tested in simulated simple random sampling from 30 actual stands and two methods for correcting edge effects. Estimates of the average bias, in designs with a sample size of 15 and recording of distances and tree attributes in the six nearest trees at each sample location, were in the order of 1–2 %. Root mean squared errors were approximately 1 % greater than corresponding estimates for sampling with fixed-area plots (FX) of a commensurate size. Coverage of FC nominal 95 % confidence intervals was somewhat conservative. The positive results with DBH and BA were only possible with the proposed IDW. Corrections for edge effects were not effective in FC. A strong correlation between results obtained with FC and FX vouch for a rational weighing of pros and cons of FC versus FX sampling.

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  1. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, West Burnside Rd., Victoria, BC, V8Z 1M5, Canada

    Steen Magnussen

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  1. Steen Magnussen
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Correspondence to Steen Magnussen.

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Handling editor: Arne Nothdurft.

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Magnussen, S. Improved fixed-count stand-level estimators of stem density, mean diameter, and basal area. Eur J Forest Res 135, 191–202 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10342-015-0930-y

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