A new type of sample unit for the efficient assessment of diverse tree communities in complex forest landscapes

Sheil D., . and Ducey M. J., . and Sidiyasa K., . and Samsoedin I., . A new type of sample unit for the efficient assessment of diverse tree communities in complex forest landscapes. pp. 117-135. ISSN 0128-1283

We present a new and versatile sample unit suitable for rapid assessments of tropical forest in heterogeneous areas. The method uses multiple applications of small and easy-to-apply variable-area subunits in which the area is defined by simple and objective rules. Compared with any fixed-area approach the sample unit is quick and easy to apply even in difficult terrain and the amount of information collected varies little with stem densities. Unlike most variable-area methods difficult judgements are rare. Further it cannot be extended to arbitrary size but remains compact allowing data to be linked to local-site variables. Useful data will generally result even in patchy and divided environments. Here we describe the method discuss the nature of the resulting data and show how various stand characters can be calculated. The calculation of basic stand parameters from the sample data does not require any sophisticated analyses and some worked examples are provided to ensure that the calculations are accessible. To demonstrate the statistical theory underlying this class of methods and the good performance of the estimation methods a more formal theoretical treatment is included as an appendix. The approach offers considerable promise for efficient forest assessments.

Full text available from: Official URL: http://www.frim.gov.my/v1/JTFSOnline/jtfs/v15n1/11...

Abstract

We present a new and versatile sample unit suitable for rapid assessments of tropical forest in heterogeneous areas. The method uses multiple applications of small and easy-to-apply variable-area subunits in which the area is defined by simple and objective rules. Compared with any fixed-area approach the sample unit is quick and easy to apply even in difficult terrain and the amount of information collected varies little with stem densities. Unlike most variable-area methods difficult judgements are rare. Further it cannot be extended to arbitrary size but remains compact allowing data to be linked to local-site variables. Useful data will generally result even in patchy and divided environments. Here we describe the method discuss the nature of the resulting data and show how various stand characters can be calculated. The calculation of basic stand parameters from the sample data does not require any sophisticated analyses and some worked examples are provided to ensure that the calculations are accessible. To demonstrate the statistical theory underlying this class of methods and the good performance of the estimation methods a more formal theoretical treatment is included as an appendix. The approach offers considerable promise for efficient forest assessments.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Tropical forests
AGROVOC Term:	Biodiversity
AGROVOC Term:	Forest ecology
AGROVOC Term:	Trees
AGROVOC Term:	Species diversity
AGROVOC Term:	Forest inventories
AGROVOC Term:	Forest measurement
AGROVOC Term:	Forest trees
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/22279

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