Compactness versus interior-to-edge ratio; two approaches for habitat's ranking

Acta Biotheor. 2006;54(1):21-6. doi: 10.1007/s10441-006-5909-0.

Abstract

In landscape ecology spatial descriptors (or indices) can be used to characterize habitats. Some of these descriptors can be used for habitat's ranking; this ranking is very important for conservation purposes. We would like to show that two traditional descriptors, namely the compactness and interior-to-edge ratio can give contradictory results. Being the second one is a more relevant descriptor, we would like to propose to avoid the further use the compactness in habitat's ranking.

MeSH terms

  • Conservation of Natural Resources*
  • Ecology*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Models, Theoretical