Measurements for Terrestrial Vegetation E-Book

Charles D. Bonham

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 425

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

Measurements for Terrestrial Vegetation, 2nd Edition presents up-to-date methods for analyzing species frequency, plant cover, density and biomass data. Each method is presented in detail with a full discussion of its strengths and weaknesses from field applications through statistical characteristics of bias and use of the correct probability distribution to describe and analyze data. This practical book also covers the use of satellite imagery to obtain measurement data on cover, density and biomass. Field data collection includes current applications of statistical sampling and analysis designs that should be used to obtain and analyze these data.

This new and thoroughly updated edition of a classic text will be essential reading for everyone involved in measuring and assessing vegetation and plant biomass, including researchers and practitioners in vegetation science, plant ecology, forestry, global change scientists and conservation scientists.

• Provides a comprehensive catalogue of sampling, surveying and measuring techniques in vegetation science
• Updated to include new technologies and developments in the field
• New coverage of prediction models for large areas, including satellite mapping and remote sensing techniques
• Includes up-to-date applications of statistical sampling and analysis designs used to obtain and analyse data Reviews the strengths and weaknesses of each technique, allowing an informed choice of alternative approaches
• Clear diagrams to explain best-practice in methodology 

 The companion website for this book can be found at www.wiley.com/go/bonham/measurements

Leseprobe

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

About the companion website

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Historical brief

1.2 Units of measure

1.3 Choice of method

1.4 Variation in vegetation

1.5 Observational units

1.6 Sampling

1.7 Frequency

1.8 Cover

1.9 Density

1.10 Biomass

1.11 Measurements with remote sensing

1.12 Monitoring and evaluation

1.13 Overview and summary

1.14 Bibliography

Chapter 2: Sampling units for measurements

2.1 Frequency

2.2 Cover

2.3 Density

2.4 Biomass

2.5 Tree measurements

2.6 Bibliography

Chapter 3: Statistical concepts for field sampling

3.1 Characterization of data

3.2 Principles of data behavior

3.3 Sample size

3.4 Data distributions

3.5 Bibliography

Chapter 4: Spatial sampling designs for measurements

4.1 Simple random sampling

4.2 Cluster and systematic sampling

4.3 Two-stage sampling design

4.4 A role for satellite imagery

4.5 On-ground large-scale spatial analyses

4.6 Bibliography

Chapter 5: Frequency

5.1 Brief history and definition

5.2 Estimates of frequency

5.3 Minimal area and frequency

5.4 Plot size considerations

5.5 Applications for frequency data

5.6 Considerations

5.7 Bibliography

Chapter 6: Cover

6.1 Basal area techniques

6.2 Intercept techniques

6.3 Line-intercept methods

6.4 Crown diameter and canopy closure method

6.5 Variable plot methods

6.6 Semi-quantitative methods

6.7 Bibliography

Chapter 7: Density

7.1 Related measurements

7.2 Limitations of the density estimate

7.3 Quadrat techniques

7.4 Distance methods

7.5 Line transect

7.6 Comments

7.7 Bibliography

Chapter 8: Biomass

8.1 Herbaceous biomass

8.2 Shrub biomass

8.3 Forest biomass

8.4 Tree foliage biomass

8.5 Considerations for tree biomass sampling

8.6 Selection of sampling units for tree biomass

8.7 Bibliography

Chapter 9: Monitoring and evaluation

9.1 Mapping units

9.2 Basic considerations

9.3 Sampling and monitoring vegetation

9.4 Selection of a monitoring procedure

9.5 Models versus measurements for monitoring

9.6 Case studies for remote sensing

9.7 Plant species evaluations

9.8 Bibliography

Appendix: Unit conversion tables

Index

This edition first published 2013 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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ISBN 978-0-4709-7258-8 (hardback)

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Cover image: From Shutterstock, by Markus Gann: An image of the australian rain forest Cover design by Steve Flemming

This book is dedicated to

Aaron Paul Burdick and Gregory Scott Burdick.

My identical twin grandsons who gave me immeasurable love and inspiration.

Preface

The second edition of this book reflects a change in the approach taken in development of the first edition. In that edition, I attempted to simply present information on vegetation measurements as reported in published papers, reports, and existing books at that time. Included was any study that used one or more of the four characteristics of plants as they occur in communities, associations, in stands or other units of vegetation categories. I made very few comments on studies that compared data results obtained from various equipment to measure cover for example. I found very few published papers or reports of such comparisons that provided sufficient details that the study could be repeated by another researcher. In particular, study conclusions did not report statistical evidence as to which method or equipment was found to be the most precise, reliable, and/or repeatable, even in the same study area.

It is recognized that reported studies of comparative estimates of a measure are very old. Yet, it is a fact that budget managers in natural resource offices have never given priority to adequately finance such studies; this is so, even as needs for use of vegetation measurement data in decision-making changed over the decades. It follows that the existence of new methods for measurements are few in published literature. This new edition still contains a few old evaluations of method comparisons of plant cover estimates obtained from different quadrat sizes and shapes. These are included to suggest size and shape of plots that modern day field ecologists might consider for preliminary evaluations before embarking on a full-scale vegetation study. In contrast, old habits and traditions die hard, allowing professional plant ecologists in academics, private industries, and state and federal agencies to continue vegetation measurements of attributes that are not based on sound scientific principles. The use of prior methods and procedures to collect and analyze field data continues with indifference as to whether “old methods” result in biased, non-repeatable, and imprecise estimates. Almost any of these latter problems can be mitigated by proper sampling designs and subsequent data analysis.

The greatest problem in obtaining a measure often is not the equipment used, but rather the data analysis used to generate data summaries. Statistical methods for data analysis have increased at a relatively rapid rate, while measurement equipment has essentially remained the same. Yet, this book is about the measures themselves, not how to analyze the data collected. Even so, some newer methods of data analysis, especially those involving spatial statistics, have been included in this new edition, but only in brief form. Data collection methods were added to include spatial statistical sampling designs and examples for analysis are provided from both published and unpublished sources.

No attempt has been made to give more concise meanings of words and terms than those already employed for up to a half-century. These include the use of double sampling in place of regression equations, quadrat for plot, and line transects from a measurement tape, to mention a few. The book deals with principles and procedures used to obtain structural measurements of terrestrial vegetation communities. Emphasis is placed on frequency, cover, density, and biomass, as commonly defined in the preponderance of literature on such measures.

I am grateful to the reviewers of the manuscript. Their editorial as well as other suggestions offered improvement to the manuscript. I am especially indebted to Ms. Margaret Broadbent who provided the expertise needed to develop figures, tables, and special formats for the text. Her attention to detail needed for each revision and subsequent finalization of each chapter is greatly appreciated. I extend my sincere appreciation to the editorial staff, especially to Rachel Wade, Izzy Canning, and Fiona Seymour, for their forbearance and kindness extended me throughout the entire process at John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, United Kingdom.

Charles D. Bonham Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado

About the companion website

This book is accompanied by a companion website:

www.wiley.com/go/bonham/measurements

The website includes:

Powerpoints of all figures from the book for downloadingPDFs of tables from the book

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Sampling units for measurements