Plot sampling
In ecology, plot sampling is a method of abundance estimation in which plots are selected from within a survey region and sampled; population estimates can then be made using the Horvitz–Thompson estimator. Generally plot sampling is a useful method if it can be assumed that each survey will identify all of the animals in the sampled area, and that the animals will be distributed uniformly and independently. [1]
Many types of sampling fall under the plot sampling category. For example, quadrant sampling, strip sampling, and many others all fall under the branch of plot sampling. Each considers abundance from a statistical standpoint, and only differs in the shape of the plot itself.[1]
The term "covered region" is used to describe the survey region that was sampled for the plot. "Covered area" is used to refer to the surface area that was sampled for the plot. If the entire survey region is covered in this manner, and the survey region equals the covered region rather than a subset of plots that are then used for extrapolation, this is considered a census rather than a plot sampling approach. Plot samples only deal with samples where the covered region is smaller than the survey region.[1]
In order to estimate the total number of organisms in a survey region based on the amount of organisms in the covered region, there are two approaches that can be used. The first approach is called Design-based methods. This is a way to examine the randomness in the plots as a basis, and then relate it to the entire survey region. Model-based methods is the other approach, and this uses statistics as a basis and then relates the numbers to the survey region. Depending on the species you are examining, both can be extremely useful.[1]
History
In 1905 the first plots were described by Clements, and since then many variations have developed. The ability to quantify species abundance and statistically analyze this is extremely helpful in study community and population dynamics. Although some limitations of plot sampling have been examined, this basis is what allowed the further development of intensive sampling.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Borchers, D. L.; Buckland, S. T.; Zucchini, W. (2002). Estimating animal abundance: closed populations. Statistics for Biology and Health. Vol. 13. London: Springer Science & Business Media.
- ^ Newmaster, Steven G.; Belland, René J.; Arsenault, André; Vitt, Dale H.; Stephens, Tara R. (2005-01). "The ones we left behind: Comparing plot sampling and floristic habitat sampling for estimating bryophyte diversity". Diversity and Distributions. 11 (1): 57–72. doi:10.1111/j.1366-9516.2005.00123.x. ISSN 1366-9516.
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