Transect relascope sampling for assessing coarse woody debris: The case of a π/2 relascope angle

Abstract

In transect relascope sampling, a wide‐angle relascope is used along survey lines for selecting a sample of objects that extend linearly in the plane, e.g. downed logs. The method is closely related to line intersect (intercept) sampling. In this article, a special case of the transect relascope technique is studied. Using a π/2 radian relascope angle, the method becomes invariant to the orientation of the line objects in the population. The reason is that the area of inclusion around objects, through which a survey line should pass for an object to be included, turns out to be circular. In analytical studies and Monte Carlo simulations, the cost‐efficiency of transect relascope and line intersect sampling is evaluated. It is found that transect relascope sampling is a competitive alternative to line intersect sampling in inventories of the total volume of coarse woody debris (in the form of downed logs) in forest compartments.