This page defines what a sampling unit is and helps explain how to think about them in a hierarchical structure in a database.
What is a sampling unit?
A sampling unit is a named location(s) where you make observations in the field, such as transects, area search plots, nets. Sampling Units can contain other, smaller Sampling Units; giving you a way of organizing your project logically and spatially.
A project hierarchy is described below using a fictitious example called the State Monitoring Network.
Project or Sampling Unit: This project is called the State Monitoring Network. The project covers the geographic area of California.
Area Survey Locations (sampling units): The State Monitoring Network has unique locations or areas that we want to label as a sampling unit. They are called Site 1, Site 2, and Site3.
Survey Types: In this project, we are using two main survey types: Area Search and Point Count Surveys. Each Site can have as many Survey Types as you want but usually you are only doing one survey type at a certain location.
Individual Survey Events: There are three types of protocols used in the State Monitoring Network. At Site 1 they collect Point Count data, which are located along a transect. At Site 2 they collect Area Search data, where all Area Search polygons are smaller and within the Site 2 area. At Site 3 there are two survey types being used. They collect Area Search data and Secretive Marsh Bird Point Count data. At site
