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Multiscale comparison of spatial patterns using two-dimensional cross-spectral analysis: application to a semi-arid (gapped) landscape

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Abstract

Spectral analysis allows the characterization of temporal (1D) or spatial (2D) patterns in terms of their scale (frequency) distribution. Cross-spectral analysis can also be used to conduct independent correlation analyses at different scales between two variables, even in the presence of a complex superposition of structures, such as structures that are shifted, have different scales or have different levels of anisotropy. These well-grounded approaches have rarely been applied to two-dimensional ecological datasets. In this contribution, we illustrate the potential of the method. We start by providing a basic methodological introduction, and we clarify some technical points concerning the computation of two-dimensional coherency and phase spectra and associated confidence intervals. First, we illustrate the method using a simple theoretical model. Next, we present a real world application: the case of patterned (gapped) vegetation in SW Niger. In this example, we investigate the functional relationships between topography and the spatial distribution of two shrub species, Combretum micranthum G. Don. and Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel. We show that both the global vegetation pattern and the distribution of C. micranthum are independent at all analyzable scales (i.e., from 10 to 50 m) from possible relief-induced determinisms. Additionally, the two dominant shrub species form distinct patches, thus suggesting separate niches.

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Acknowledgements

We wish to thank the Ecopas/UE project for scientific and technical support. We are also indebted to Dr. J. Ludwig and Dr. M. Mugglestone, as well as the anonymous reviewers that provided comments on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. FNRS. Université Libre de Bruxelles, Laboratoire de Complexité et Dynamique des Systèmes Tropicaux, CP 169, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Nicolas Barbier

  2. IRD, UMR botAnique et bioinforMatique de l’Architecture des Plantes (AMAP), Boulevard de la Lironde, TA A-51/PS2, 34398, Montpellier Cedex 05, France

    Nicolas Barbier & Pierre Couteron

  3. IRD – Institut de recherche pour le développement, Kasetsart University, Po Box 1025, Bangkok, 10903, Thailand

    Olivier Planchon

  4. Laboratoire d’Ecologie du Paysage et des Systèmes de production végétale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 50 Av. F. Roosevelt CP 169, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Abdoulaye Diouf

  5. Laboratoire GARBA Mounkaila de Biologie, Université ABDOU Moumouni, BP: 10 662, Niamey, Niger

    Abdoulaye Diouf

Authors
  1. Nicolas Barbier
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  2. Pierre Couteron
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  3. Olivier Planchon
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  4. Abdoulaye Diouf
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicolas Barbier.

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Hutchinson et al. (1954).

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Barbier, N., Couteron, P., Planchon, O. et al. Multiscale comparison of spatial patterns using two-dimensional cross-spectral analysis: application to a semi-arid (gapped) landscape. Landscape Ecol 25, 889–902 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-010-9466-1

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