Sampling Distributions
Sampling distributions describe general patterns in the spread and frequency of the values in the sample data. The type of sampling distribution generated during sampling depends on the vegetation attribute, spatial patterns of the vegetation, the sampling method, and characteristics of sample unit.
Sampling distributions have important ramifications on statistical approaches to analyze the data collected in rangeland inventory or monitoring programs. Therefore, specific considerations concerning each vegetation attribute are discussed in statistical analysis of biomass data, statistical analysis of cover data, statistical analysis of density data, and statistical analysis of frequency data.
There are three common sampling distributions encountered during sampling:
References and Further Reading
Bonham, C.D. 1989. Measurements for terrestrial vegetation. John Wiley Sons, New York, NY. pp 58-61, 71-81.
Dowdy, S. and S. Weardon. 1991. Statistics for research. John Wiley Sons, New York, NY. 2nd ed. pp 161-191.