Cost functions for the line intersect method of sampling forest residue in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

Cost functions were developed for estimating the cost of inventorying forest residue in the Pacific Northwest region by line intersect sampling. Time was accurately recorded for individual tasks of measuring forest residue on three widely varying clear cuttings. The model developed relates the total cost of completing an inventory to fixed costs associated with the entire unit and each sample line, and variable costs of residue loading, fine fuel loadings, number of lines, and length of lines. The slope of the inventory unit was not found to be significantly (P ≤ 0.05) related to the cost, however, the residue loading was significant. Several simplified versions of the cost function are provided which are applicable under certain assumptions and conditions.