Representing a large region with few sites: The Quality Index approach for field studies.

Many environmental studies require the characterization of a large geographical region using a range of representative sites amenable to intensive study. A systematic approach to selecting study areas can help ensure that an adequate range of the variables of interest is captured. We present a novel method of selecting study sites representing a larger region, in which the region is divided into subregions, which are characterized with relevant independent variables, and displayed in mathematical variable space.