"A Sensitivity Analysis of Sampling Methods for Historic Species Richness"

Welcome to our Geog452 term project

Summary

In order to determine loss of biodiversity, historical species estimates must be established. Various sampling methods produce different results. To compare integrity of sampling methods, error in the historical range maps must be simulated. The method that produces the less variable estimates is the most robust.

For this project error was introduced into 23 historic species ranges for the Vancouverian / Montanian mammal province. Species counts from direct sampling (using park boundaries) and random sampling (using randomly sized and located grid cells) were compared for differing levels of historic species range map error. Species counts by the random sampling method were shown to be less affected by the introduced error and therefore more robust.