A Field Comparison of Distance and Plot Methods for Regeneration Surveys

A survey method involving the measurement of the distance from a sample point to the nearest seedling was compared with the usual stocked plot approach for estimating percent stocking to 1-milacre (4 m 2 ) plots. Ten separate surveys were run for each method over a 100-acre (40 ha) test area, and the results compared with respect to stocking accuracy and practical utility. The distance approach was found to be more efficient, requiring on the average substantially fewer samples to achieve the same level of accuracy. Time requirements per sample were slightly greater than for the stocked plot approach and the equipment was more cumbersome.The theoretical basis for estimating stocking from a distance survey is described, and an estimation procedure is presented.