Problem: Consider a patchy tropical forest with distinct canopy, understorey and shrub layers. An assessment of ecosystem biomass is required for validation of biomass estimates made using a new remote sensing technique, based on a site area of 1 km2 (100 ha).
(a) Should stratification be considered in this biomass assessment?
(b) What relevant information would be helpful in deciding how to stratify and why?
(c) Would any biomass be ignored in your approach? Why is the omission justified?
(d) In the context of this situation, is accuracy more important than precision, or vice versa? Explain.