FRAGSTATS: Spatial Pattern Analysis Program for Categorical Maps. Computer software program

McGarigal, Kevin; Cushman, S; Neel, M; Ene, E

FRAGSTATS is a computer software program designed to compute a wide variety of landscape metrics for categorical map patterns. This is public domain software and may be freely downloaded from the website. The authors stress that the "garbage in- garbage out" axiom applies and stress the importance of defining the landscape at a scale and in a manner that is relevant and meaningful to the phenomenon under consideration. It is vital to understand the exact meaning of each metric before it is used. Documentation is provided, and a users email list available. The major difference between version 2 and 3 is the addition of a graphical user interface to facilitate the parameterization of FRAGSTATS, and the addition of several new landscape metrics and analysis capabilities. V3 accepts input images in a variety of formats but limited to raster formats only. V2 still has utility for users that require or prefer to use vector coverages in Arc/Info. All other users should find version 3 preferable and considerably more powerful. Both versions generate the same array of metrics, including a variety of area metrics, patch density, size and variability metrics, edge metrics, shape metrics, core area metrics, diversity metrics, and contagion and interspersion metrics