COMPUTER-ASSISTED TERRAIN STRATIFICATION |
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Authors: | Michael J Medler Stephen R Yool |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Geography , Rutgers University , Piscataway, New Jersey 08854;2. Department of Geography and Regional Development , University of Arizona , Tucson, Arizona 85721 |
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Abstract: | Terrain influences many ecological processes. Therefore, ecologists must consider terrain effects in sampling designs. Incomplete information on the ecological role of terrain, however, makes it difficult to account for terrain variability in sample designs. As a partial solution, we introduce a protocol that automatically stratifies complex terrain. This stratification method uses image-processing techniques to cluster digital images of slope, elevation, and aspect into homogeneous groupings. The technique is demonstrated for a stratification of complex terrain disturbed by a large forest fire. By identifying terrain complexity at several spatial resolutions, we were able to place transects that sample terrain variability and fire severity representatively across a controlled range of scales. Key words: terrain, stratification, image processing, sample design.] |
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Keywords: | Pinus pungens Lamb Pinus rigida Mill Table Mountain pine-pitch pine forest topographic pattern vegetation mosaic |
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