A practical sampling strategy for estimating residual stand damage

A stratified sampling approach for estimating residual stand damage provides precise estimates of damage for areas along the trail system as well as for the entire stand. The sampling design uses standard forest inventory techniques in both the trail and off-trail strata, yet requires only a sketch of the trail system, not detailed, costly information at the planning stage. The general estimation formulas are applicable to a broad variety of damage measures and reporting needs. Numerical results are presented to illustrate when this design will provide a significant reduction in variance compared with a design that does not use the stratification suggested.