Variation in forest inventory field measurements
1994
McRoberts, R.E. (USDA Forest Service, North Central Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN.) | Hahn, J.T. | Hefty, G.J. | Van Cleve, J.R.
Field crews from the North Central Forest Experiment Station independently measured two forest inventory plot in Michigan's Upper Peninsula: one plot was measured by eight crews and the other was measured by nine different crews. For 61 trees, the variation in measurements of diameter at breast height (DBH), crown ratio, and site index is described. For DBH, the distribution of field crew mistakes and the distribution of measurements with out mistakes are described separately. For crown ratio, the distribution of differences between individual estimates and the most frequently occurring estimate for corresponding trees is described. For site index, the distribution of differences between individual estimates and the mean of plot estimates is described. Coefficients of variation were less than 5% for DBH, approximately 73% for crown ratio, and 13% and 16% for site index for the two plots. The effects of variation in measurements on 20-year predictions of basal area and cumulative basal area growth were estimated for the two plots using STEMS, TWIGS, and Monte Carlo simulations. Coefficients of variation were 2% and 3% for basal area and 7% and 9% for cumulative basal area growth for the two plots. Variation in site index estimates had the greatest effect on variation in the output variables
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