A comparative study of the full inventory method with regular random and complete regular random methods in a simulated forest in the Mazandaran province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M. Sc. Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

2 Assist. Prof., Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, I.R. Iran

3 Prof., Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

4 Ph.D. Student of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, I.R. Iran

Abstract

The main pre-request of the forest management and planning program is the availability of quantitative and qualitative data from forest structure. Therefore, the forest inventory plays a vital role in the estimation of the current status and future planning. In this study, spatial pattern of trees in Gorazbon section of Kheyroud forest in northern Iran was simulated to compare the random systematic sampling and complete random systematic sampling method based on the full calipering method. By using the Arc GIS software, the spatial pattern of forest trees was simulated. Buffer function was used to calculate the random systematic sampling and complete random systematic sampling method based on the full calipering method. In order to compare random systematic sampling with full calipering single-sample, a t-test was used. The results showed that there was no significant difference between random systematic sampling and full calipering method to estimate the average diameter of Alnus, Fagus orientalis, and Tilia begonifolia. However, there was a significant difference between two methods in the estimation of average diameter of Carpinus orientalis and Quercus persica. The results of T-test revealed that there is no significant difference between Alnus and Tilia begonifolia but significant difference was observed between the trees of the Fagus orientalis, Carpinus orientalis, and Quercus persica. In addition, paired t-test was used to compare the random systematic sampling and complete random systematic sampling method. Results showed that there is no significant difference between random systematic sampling and complete random systematic sampling method.

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