A geostatistical basis for spatial weighting in multivariate classification

Earth scientists and land managers often wish to group sampling sites that are both similar with respect to their properties and near to one another on the ground. This paper outlines the geostatistical rationale for such spatial grouping and describes a multivariate procedure to implement it. Sample variograms are calculated from the original data or their leading principal components and then the parameters of the underlying functions are estimated. A dissimilarity matrix is computed for all sampling sites, preferably using Gower's general similarity coefficient. Dissimilarities are then modified using the variogram to incorporate the form and extent of spatial variation. A nonhierarchical classification of sampling sites is performed on the leading latent vectors of the modified dissimilarity matrix by dynamic clustering to an optimum. The technique is illustrated with results of its application to soil survey data from two small areas in Britain and from a transect. In the case of the latter results of spatially weighted classifications are compared with those of strict segmentation. An appendix lists a Genstat program for a spatially constrained classification using a spherical variogram as an example.