Gradient analysis and resource management
Kessell SR, Dwyer DB, Colony WM. 1975. Gradient analysis and resource management. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. 56(2):50
Managers have traditionally used the classification and graphic representation of natural communities as a basis for resource decision making. Yet such a classification usally results in either a simplification which does not present the needed resolution, or else such graphic complexity that the system is unusable to anyone not specially trained. A better alternative is a user-oriented, computer-based direct gradient analysis. Unfortunately, many past applications of gradient analysis have used indirect ordination axes generated by various ordination methods (Bray-Curtis, PCA, etc.); unless these axes can be directly correlated to measurable environmental gradients, information retrieval is very difficult or impossible. In Glacier National Park, a union of direct gradient analysis, and indirect ordination techniques which identify new direct gradients, has been quite successful, and has been implemented for management purposes. The methodology for such an analysis is presented and compared to more traditional methods.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Kessell, Stephen; Dwyer, Donald; Colony, William
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Fire Management, Gradients, Management