Pros and Cons of the Interpenetrating Panel Design

Abstract

The interpenetrating sample design has been selected for the USDA Forest Service's Annual Forest Inventory System. The advantages and disadvantages of this design are discussed by considering alternatives such as the formerly used periodic design, a concentrated grid design, and disturbance based sampling. Factors considered for each design include fulfilling 1998 Farm Bill requirements, relative cost, ease of implementation, and analysis options. Each design alternative has positive and negative attributes, but the interpenetrating design most clearly facilitates implementation of the new annual inventory system.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the first annual forest inventory and analysis symposium; 1999 November 2-3, San Antonio, TX.

Citation

Van Deusen, Paul C. 2000. Pros and Cons of the Interpenetrating Panel Design. In: McRoberts, Ronald E.; Reams, Gregory A.; Van Deusen, Paul C., eds. Proceedings of the First Annual Forest Inventory and Analysis Symposium; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-213. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station: 14-19