Module 2 - Introduction to Measurements

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Lesson Instructions

Read through the Overview and Learning Objectives.
Complete the Required Reading.
Read and review the Lectures.
Visit suggested Internet Sites in the lectures.
Check the schedule for the required Assignment.
Complete assignments and submit by Blackboard by Midnight on Sunday, September 13.

Suggested Further Reading:

Principals of Measurement, Chapter 2 (pp 5-27), Forest Mensuration by Bertram Husch et al (3rd Edition: Wiley).

Numerical Considerations, Chapter 1 (pp 4-6), Forest Measurements by Avery and Burkhart (5th Edition: McGraw Hill).

Learning Materials

Overview

What, When, Where, & How? These are the classic questions to solve any mystery. The same questions apply to determining appropriate vegetation monitoring approaches. In this module we will focus on "where" with a small dose of "how."

The beginning of any endeavor also requires mastery of the local language. In vegetation sampling, the "language" is rooted in sampling and statistics. This module is designed as an introduction to the language of vegetation measurement.

Learning Objectives

After this module you will be able to:

Understand the critical need for units when you report measurements
Explain why we use both the English and Metric measurement systems
Understand sources of errors and uncertainty
Explain the terms accuracy, bias, and precision
Understand how different errors are combined and calculated
Understand how to describe data in terms of min, max, mean, and variance
Select an appropriate sampling scheme based on requirements for scientific investigation or management objectives.