Bitterlich sampling: a forest inventory alternative for small fomented farms

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the applicability of the Bitterlich sampling in a fomented farm, populated with Eucalyptus grandis, in the southern state of Espírito Santo. To that end, were launched ten plots for the methods of Bitterlich, with different basal area factors, and fixed area, which were measured the diameter at breast height. The total height and volume was estimated by means of height-diameter relations and volumetric equations. From these data were estimated the volume and basal area per hectare, for further comparison by Student’s t-test. There was no statistically significant difference for the estimation of basal area and volume per hectare between the methods of fixed area and Bitterlich, independent of basal area factor used. To meet the same limit of error, the Bitterlich sampling requires a greater number of plots. This number of plots is greater with the increase in basal area factor used. Finally, it can be concluded that the methodology proposed by Bitterlich and fixed area presented the same accuracy in the estimation of average volume and basal area in the analyzed Eucalyptus grandis population.