Spatial Pattern Analysis in Plant Ecology

The predictability of the physical arrangement of plants, at whatever scale it is viewed, is referred to as a spatial pattern. Spatial pattern is a crucial aspect of vegetation that has important implications not only for the plants themselves, but also for other organisms that interact with plants, such as herbivores and pollinators; or those animals for which plants provide a habitat. This book describes and evaluates methods for detecting and quantifying a variety of characteristics of spatial pattern. As well as discussing the concepts on which these techniques are based, the book includes examples from real field studies and worked examples, which, together with numerous line figures, help guide the reader through the text.

Plants do not grow in places at random, either globally or locally. The predictability of their physical arrangement, termed their spatial pattern, has important implications not only for the plants themselves, but also for other organisms which interact with plants. This book describes and evaluates methods for detecting and quantifying a variety of characteristics of spatial pattern. Worked examples and examples from real field studies, together with numerous line figures, help guide the reader through the text.