Application of global grids in environmental sampling
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Olsen, A.R., Stevens, D.L., Jr. and White, D. (1998)
Computing Science and Statistics, 30, 279-84.
Abstract
Survey designs have been applied to environmental and natural resource issues
for many years. However, the breadth of available survey design approaches has
been limited - many times to simple random, stratified random, or systematic
designs. A substantial theory has been developed to address finite population
sampling, driven mainly from problems associated with surveying human
populations or institutions. Recently, increasing attention has been given to
the development of survey designs that address environmental and natural
resource specific issues. The paper begins with a brief overview of survey
design approaches used by several major Federal environmental and natural
resource programs. The overview will highlight characteristics of the resources
being sampled that suggest alternative design approaches are needed. One
characteristic seemingly shared by all is the desire to have the survey design
spread the sample points out over space, hence the use of systematic grids is
common. Building on this background, we will make a case for having a single
global grid structure. The proposed grid structure enables a wide range of
survey designs to be developed. In each case, a design is available that
appropriately considers the characteristics of the natural resource to be
sampled.
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