A Comparison of Four Distance Sampling Techniques in South Texas Live Oak Mottes

Abstract

Four distance sampling techniques; point-center-quarter (PCQ), random pairs (RP), nearest neighbor (NN), and closest individual (CI) were compared to total counts to determine accuracy of density and relative frequency approximations in a live oak (Quercus virginiana) motte vegetative type in South Texas. The PCQ method was the most accurate for estimating density, followed in decreasing order by RP, CI, and NN. Only the NN approximation was significantly different from the actual density. The PCQ method also provided the most accurate relative frequency approximations, followed in decreasing order by RP, NN, and CI.