Spatial Autocorrelation and Pseudoreplicaton in Fire Ecology

Amanda L. Bataineh, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
Brian P. Oswald, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
Mohammad M. Bataineh, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Jordan University of Science and Technology
Daniel Unger, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University
I-Kuai Hung, Stephen F. Austin State University
Daniel Scognamillo, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University

Fire Ecology
Volume 2, Issue 2 - 2006
DOI: 10.4996/fireecology.0202

Spatial Autocorrelation and Pseudoreplicaton in Fire Ecology

Authors: Amanda L. Bataineh, Brian P. Oswald, Mohammad Bataineh, Daniel Unger, I-Kuai Hung, and Daniel Scognamillo Pages: 107-118 DOI: 10.4996/fireecology.0202107

Abstract

Fire ecologists face many challenges regarding the statistical analyses of their studies. Hurlbert (1984) brought the problem of pseudoreplication to the scientific community’s attention in the mid 1980’s. Now, there is a new issue in the form of spatial autocorrelation. Spatial autocorrelation, if present, violates the traditional statistical assumption of observational independence. What, if anything, can the fire ecology community do about this new problem? An understanding of spatial autocorrelation, and knowledge of available methods used to reduce the effect of spatial autocorrelation and pseudoreplication will greatly assist fire ecology researchers.