Toward a better understanding of forest spatial patterns:A generalisation of the uniform angle index

Yuankun Bu, Weizhong Li, Klaus von Gadow, Jiangtao Wei, Pengxiang Zhao, Yanzheng Yang, Chaofan Zhou, Boheng Wang and Xuan Zhao

Ecological Modelling, 2025, vol. 503, issue C

Abstract: Spatial structure is important for characterizing a forest ecosystem. Among a myriad of spatial structure indices, the Uniform Angle Index (UAI) is rather special. The UAI quantifies a spatial pattern based on angles between neighbouring trees, thereby offering new insights into close range tree arrangements, competition, and stand dynamics. However, previous theoretical studies of the UAI have primarily relied on simulation stand and hence the uncertainty associated with them since its inception. Therefore, a mathematical derivation is still lacking. In this study, we present a theoretical framework for the UAI with the aim of broadening its applicability in quantifying the intensity of interactions among trees. Our theory is developed at two levels, the individual tree level and the stand level. The objective is to eliminate any simulation-induced uncertainty and bias and to enrich the theoretical foundation and applicability. We present a significant improvement of the UAI for estimating interaction strength among trees by the distance between an ideal and a real stand. This research highlights the opportunities for point pattern research in a new multidisciplinary science of forest ecology by growing knowledge and information along scientifically meaningful lines.

Keywords: Complete spatial randomness; Forest spatial pattern; Hellinger distance between ideal stand (HDIS); Spatial point pattern; Uniform angle index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380025000560
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:503:y:2025:i:c:s0304380025000560

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2025.111070

Access Statistics for this article

Ecological Modelling is currently edited by Brian D. Fath

More articles in Ecological Modelling from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().