Fuel Sampling - Wildland Fuel Fundamentals and Applications - page 123

8.2 Sampling Basics

The first and most important step in any fuel sampling effort is to clearly articulate
a sampling objective. Many fuel sampling efforts were unsuccessful because there
never was a comprehensive statement of the purpose for the sampling. A well-writ-
ten sampling objective will guide all other decisions involved in designing sampling
projects (Lutes et al. 2006 ). Sampling objectives should follow the S.M.A.R.T.
guidelines: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based (Lutes
et al. 2006 ). Many people make the mistakes of (1) using goals instead of defining
objectives (not specific), (2) failing to mention what is being sampled (hard to mea-
sure), (3) specifying too many objectives for a sampling effort (not achievable), (4)
including aspects that are unrelated to the sampling effort (irrelevant), and (5) for-
getting to add deadlines and scheduling concerns (not time-based). Without doubt,
a well-stated objective is the keystone of a successful sampling design.
Many fuel loading sampling efforts estimate loadings for a defined area (target
population) using a set of opportunistically, randomly, or systematically located sam-
pling units. Sampling units, such as fixed-area plots (FAPs) or planar intercept (PI)
transects, are used to sample the target area. Measurements taken within the sampling
units that are distributed across the sample area are then summarized to compute an
estimate of loading for the sample area. The first step in fuel sampling is delineating
the sample area and then deciding on a sampling unit (Catchpole and Wheeler 1992 ).
Sampling unit selection is important because it will dictate the logistics of sampling
design. The sample unit can be FAPs, transects, planes, or points. FAP sampling
units, for example, can vary in size from macroplots (generally 100-1000 m 2 ) to mi-
croplots (~1-100 m 2 ) to nanoplots (~0.1-1 m 2 ) to dimensionless points, depending
on the fuel component sampled, available resources, and the stated objective. Each
sampling effort employs a unique design developed specifically to meet sampling
objectives while considering important sampling constraints, such as time, cost, and
available expertise.
All ecological sampling projects, but especially wildland fuel loading sampling
efforts, are designed using a delicate balance between ecological, logistical, and
resource concerns. The most important factor in operational management fuel in-
ventory and monitoring projects is the amount of resources available for sampling.
In the end, most field fuel sampling efforts reflect a compromise in some resource
limitation. The most important resource is funding because with adequate funding,
most of the other resource limitations can be mitigated (e.g., hire more people, buy
more equipment). The next valuable resource is time. Many sampling efforts were
unsuccessful because it was impossible to both collect and report the critical data
in the time frame allowed. The number of qualified people available to assist in the
sampling effort may also dictate sampling designs. And last, transportation, safety,
and equipment resources are also important to consider in sampling designs. Vehi-
cles to get crews to remote locations on rough gravel roads may be a limiting factor,