Any help greatly appreciated!
I want to find the density of trees surrounding a sample point (measured in trees/m$^2$).
The distance from the sample point to the three nearest trees has been measured. I derived tree density via the formulae:
1. mean of the distances between sample points and the 3 nearest trees (in meters)
2. mean area = mean distance $^2$
3. tree density = $\frac{1} {mean area}$
e.g. distance between sample point and 3 nearest trees = 1m,2m and 3m mean distance = 2m, mean area = 4m$^2$, tree density = 0.25 trees/ m$^2$.
However, I found another source that suggested another equation:
Density = √$ \frac{mean area} {2}$
There is no explanation why the mean area is over 2.
My question is:
How is the last formulae a valid means of finding density? Surely by square rooting the area/ 2, you find a distance value in metres instead of no. of trees/m$^2$?
What does the number 2 symbolise or function as in this equation?
This would be very helpful to know to help me understand which is the preferable equation to use.
Thanks