Spatial Autocorrelation and Pseudoreplicaton in Fire Ecology
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.