Use of Equipment
Poorly functioning equipment can jeopardize sample accuracy and sample precision. All measuring equipment, such as scales used to weigh samples for herbage biomass, should be regularly checked to confirm their accuracy. Other sources of measurement error include plastic tapes stretching with use and variations in pace-length among observers.
References and Further Reading
Bonham, C.D. 1989. Measurements for terrestrial vegetation. John Wiley Son, New York, NY. pp 19-40.
Johnson, D.E., Borman, M.M., and M. Ben-Ali. 1988. Simple pivot balance for measuring phytomass in quadrats. Journal of Range Management 41:167-188.