Precision of inventory using different edge overlap methods

Bias due to the sampling procedure may occur in estimates from forest inventory when sampled trees are close to the forest edge. The “mirage,” “walkthrough,” and “walk through and fro” methods are three practical measurement methods developed to avoid this problem. However, as an increasing proportion of the sample requires use of these methods, the precision of the population estimates made from the sample is likely to decline. Simulation studies were undertaken of forest inventory, using point sampling, to estimate mean stand basal area and stocking density in both an even-aged, monoculture radiata pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) plantation forest and an uneven-aged, multispecies, complex primary rainforest. In both forest types, bias arising from use of any of the three methods appeared to be negligible. As well, precision of estimates from the inventory was reduced only slightly, even when a high proportion of the samples required use of any one of the three methods. None of the methods appeared appreciably superior in this respect to any of the others. It was concluded that use of any of the three methods was unlikely to have any substantial effect on the overall precision of estimates made from forest inventory.