FW2051 – Field Techniques.docVIP

FW2051 – Field Techniques Introduction to Point SamplingObjective: To learn basic concepts of point sampling, how to use a prism, and common sources of error.Materials: Prism, angle gauge and logger’s tape.Let’s start out in room 143.Point sampling Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) or point sampling has been widely used in forest inventory. It is the method of selection of trees based on their size rather than their frequency of occurrence. In our two previous labs we used fixed area plot sampling and measured all trees within a given fixed area to estimate trees/acre and BA/area. These values were calculated by diameter and species and based on the frequency of which each tree was measured. In point sampling, inclusion of a tree in a plot depends on the basal area (cross sectional area of a tree at breast height) of the tree and its proximity (distance) to the sample point. With point sampling, you are most likely to sample big trees. Thus, in other words it is called probability proportional to size (PPS). Point sampling is known with different names – angle count sampling, plotless cruise, prism cruising, variable-plot sampling, variable-radius plot and most commonly, point sampling. The procedure to sample trees in the forest stand is simple and easy to use in the field, therefore it became popular among natural resource managers and ecologists. The instruments used in point sampling are angle gauges, wedge prisms and Spiegel Relaskops (we will briefly touch on Relaskops later in the term). The basal area factor (BAF) is the number of units of basal area per acre (or per hectare) represented by each tree tallied in point sampling. In point sampling; ? Do not need direct measurement of either plot boundaries or tree diameters to figure out which trees are in and what basal area per acre is ? Use a fixed angle to determine which trees are in ? Each tree has it’s own plot with a radius proportional to its diameter. It means the probability of tallying a