NCEP Exercise- Census and Survey Techniques: Perpendicular Distance from Indirect Measurements

This exercise allows students to become familiar with sampling techniques used in field biology and how data is obtained from these techniques. Often times obtaining exact distances measurements can be difficult or impossible and thus other techniques must be used to best deal with this problem. This exercise provides students with a way to resolve these sampling problems using various forms of geometric analysis. Additionally, this exercise addresses common errors in analysis and the effects these errors have on subsequent analyses. Additional teaching materials on topics relating to biodiversity conservation and ecology can be obtained free of charge by registering at the Network for Conservation Educators and Practitioners’ website (http://ncep.amnh.org).