Line intersect sampling: Ell-shaped transects and multiple intersections

Timothy G. Gregoire; Harry Valentine

doi:10.1023/a:1023698813989

Treesearch

Line intersect sampling: Ell-shaped transects and multiple intersections

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Timothy G. Gregoire, Harry Valentine

Year:

2003

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Northern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1023698813989

Source:

Environmental and Ecological Statistics. 10: 263-279

Download (PDF 1.30 MB)

Download (PDF 1.30 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/6977.pdf

Abstract

The probability of selecting a population element under line intersect sampling depends on the width of the particle in the direction perpendicular to the transect, as is well known. The consequence of this when using ell-shaped transects rather than straight-line transects are explicated, and modifications that preserve design-unbiasedness of Kaiser's (1983) conditional and unconditional estimators are presented. A case against beating multiple intersections as multiple probabilistic events is argued on the basis, also, of preserving design-unbiased estimation.

Keywords

conditional estimator, design-unbiasedness, line intercept sampling, particles

Citation

Gregoire, Timothy G.; Valentine, Harry T. 2003. Line intersect sampling: Ell-shaped transects and multiple intersections. Environmental and Ecological Statistics. 10: 263-279