Hargrove, W. W. and R. J. Luxmoore. 1997.
A Spatial Clustering
Technique for the Identification of Customizable Ecoregions.
Conference paper
published electronically by Environmental Systems Research
Institute, Redlands CA.
The Regional Cluster Model, used to generate spatial
assessment maps
for the Southeastern Region, is based on a new clustering technique
which marries GIS with multivariate statistical analysis. This produces
a map having ecoregions which are each relatively homogeneous with
respect to selected input variables. Six input variables, important
in modeling tree growth are used in this process. This paper experiments
first with clustering the state of Tennessee, then with 5 states, and
finally clusters all 13 states in the Southeastern Region. By using
this technique, the Regional Cluster Model can be run for a fewer number
of ecoregions, rather than for all of the 2.2 million square kilometer
cells in the map of the 13 southern states.