Basic methodological problems in the use of monitoring and sampling for purposes of environment statistics

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kahnert, Andreas^{; 1}

Affiliations: Statistical Division, Economic Commission for Europe, Palais des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

Note: [1] This article is based on two lectures, which the author gave at a seminar in Espoo, Finland, on August 20–21, 1990. The seminar had been organized jointly by The Finnish Society of Biostatistics, The Finnish Society of Environmental Science and The Central Statistical Office of Finland. The subject of the seminar was “Changes of the environment – a challenge to statistics.”

Abstract: Monitoring and environmental statistical sampling are the most important source for the generation of pollution statistics. The use of these sources poses a great number of methodological problems, including some fundamental obstacles to the preparation of reliable environment statistics. Direct environmental statistical sampling being comparatively expensive, alternative methods will be required in the production of environment statistics. Conceptual and methodological integration will be a key element in alternative production processes, which require statistical offices to become more enterprising in the search for adequate techniques. Examples are available that illustrate such successful techniques.

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1990-7203

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 101-123, 1990