Composite estimators for growth derived from repeated plot measurements of positively-asymmetric interval lengths

Francis Roesch

doi:10.3390/f9070427

Treesearch

Composite estimators for growth derived from repeated plot measurements of positively-asymmetric interval lengths

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Francis Roesch

Year:

2018

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3390/f9070427

Source:

Forests

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Download (PDF 4.01 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/56553.pdf

Abstract

The statistical properties of candidate methods to adjust for the bias in growth estimates obtained from observations on increasing interval lengths are compared and contrasted against a standard set of estimands. This standard set of estimands is offered here as a solution to a varying set of user expectations that can arise from the jargon surrounding a particular data aggregation procedure developed within the USDA’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, specifically the term “average annual” growth. The definition of a standard set of estimands also allows estimators to be defined and the statistical properties of those estimators to be evaluated. The estimators are evaluated in a simulation for their effectiveness in the presence of a simple distribution of positively-asymmetric measurement intervals, such as what might arise subsequent to a reduction in budget being applied to a national forest inventory.

Keywords

National Forest Inventories, simulation, average annual growth

Citation

Roesch, Francis. 2018. Composite estimators for growth derived from repeated plot measurements of positively-asymmetric interval lengths. Forests. 9(7): 427-445. 19 p. https://doi.org/10.3390/f9070427.