Relascope Sampling Research Articles

On the Field Performance of Transect Relascope Sampling for Assessing Downed Coarse Woody Debris

Abstract Transect relascope sampling is a recently proposed method for making efficient inventories of coarse woody debris on the ground. However, before the method can be recommended, its performance in the field requires investigation. This paper presents the results of a field study in which 11 surveyors tested the method in two coniferous stands in northern Sweden. The average bias introduced by the surveyors was moderate under normal sighting conditions, but underestimation was substantial when combining a small relascope angle with poor sighting conditions. In all cases, the differences between the systematic errors of individual surveyors were substantial. The conclusion is that transect relascope sampling is not an appropriate method when the demand for unbiased estimates is high, e.g. in connection with long-term monitoring, but that the method can be useful as a first phase in double sampling or in ocular-based inventories aimed at identifying biologically valuable areas.

Point relascope sampling of downed coarse woody debris

Point relascope sampling of downed coarse woody debris

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

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.