Estimating condition areas and boundary lengths in sample plots with mapped designs
Currently the U.S. Forest Service is implementing different versions of sampling a mapped cluster of subplots on the ground for estimating forest parameters. Biased estimators of lengths of boundaries between forest conditions and unbiased but inefficient estimators of areas in these conditions are available. Improved estimators are given for these ecological parameters for each subplot (and hence for the population) by measuring some additional distances to the boundary and then using either easily implemented triangulation approximation techniques, grid counting, and line transect sampling, or importance sampling. The triangulation approximation techniques are preferred at this time for operational surveys such as those conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. Boundary lengths and areas and the co-location frequency of various forest conditions, ecotones, or transition zones have traditionally not been of interest in forest surveys but can now be objectively and reliably estimated with the new mapped designs.