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Animal Units
Animal Units
Animal units (AU) are used as a basis to standardize and express stocking rates among different kinds and classes of livestock with similar dietary preferences. An AU is essentially a measure of forage demand by a theoretical animal unit that can then be converted according to the relative demands of different animal classes (based primarily on metabolic bodyweight) (Table 1).
Allowable Use
Allowable Use
Allowable use, or proper use, refers to the level of utilization that promotes maximum grazing of forage sources without damaging the vegetation. Allowable use may refer to the entire management unit; or it may be based on selected key species.
Sample Units
Sample Units
Sample units are the members of the population from which measurements are taken during sampling. Sample units are distinct and non-overlapping entities, such as quadrats or transects, individual plants, branches within a plant, etc.
Sample Size
Sample Size
Sample size, or sampling intensity, refers to the number of sample units that will be measured in the inventory or monitoring program.
Sample
Sample
A sample is that portion of the population which is actually measured. Sampling is a more practical way to obtain inventory or monitoring information because not all members of the population need to be measured. It permits data to be obtained at less effort and expense, and may enhance its integrity by reducing mistakes associated with the tedium of prolonged repetitive measurements.
Statistical Analysis of Frequency Data
Statistical Analysis of Frequency Data
Frequency data may be analyzed by several different techniques, depending upon how the sample units were located and how the data was collected.
Statistical Analysis of Cover Data
Statistical Analysis of Cover Data
The appropriate statistical model for analyses to identify differences in cover between years or among sites depends on the method to determine cover that was followed, and decisions defining sample units made during preliminary planning.