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cje ›› 1996, Vol. ›› Issue (3): 35-42.

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Fractal Models and Their Ecological Applications

Chang Xueli1, Wu Jianguo2   

  1. 1. Institute of Desert Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000;
    2. Arizona State University West, Phoenix, USA
  • Received:1996-01-26 Online:1996-06-10

Abstract: As an effective tool in describing and explaining the spatial complexity of objects and their patterns in nature, fraetal models recently have received increasing attention. Especially in studies of patchiness and landscape ecology, fractal analysis has shown a considerable potenial. This paper was intended to introduce the concepts and methods of calculation for exact and statistical fractals, as well as the modified fractal dimension analysis, with examples of their applications in ecology. We focused on the methods of changing measurement scales, grid-based counting, perimeter-area relationship, and density-based fractal dimension. In addition, a comparative evaluation was given for these different methods.

Key words: grazing-path, Berberis aggregate, redundancy analysis, spatial distribution, montane.

CLC Number: