Certified Forester Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of strip cruising?

1. Continuous sampling

2. Efficient use of time

3. Requires complicated calculations

4. Less borderline trees

The correct answer is: Requires complicated calculations

The reasoning behind identifying "requires complicated calculations" as the correct choice lies in the inherent nature of strip cruising. Strip cruising is a sampling method used in forestry that involves systematically sampling a narrow strip of the forest to assess timber volume and forest conditions. This method offers several advantages, such as continuous sampling and efficient use of time. Continuous sampling allows for a more consistent assessment across the sampled area, providing valuable data that can inform management decisions. Additionally, strip cruising is designed to be time-efficient because it covers a larger area with fewer resources compared to other sampling methods, which may involve more extensive calculations and measurements across a broader area. Moreover, one of the notable points about strip cruising is that it tends to minimize the number of borderline trees—trees that lie on the edge of a sample area—because of the streamlined nature of the strips. By focusing on continuous strips, the approach inherently reduces the uncertainty associated with these borderline trees, simplifying the sampling process. In contrast, the notion that strip cruising requires complicated calculations does not align with its advantages. The design of strip cruising minimizes the need for complex calculations, making it accessible and manageable for forest managers. Therefore, the correct choice highlights that complicated calculations are not an advantage of strip cruising but rather a feature that