Community ecology in 3D: Tensor decomposition reveals spatio-temporal dynamics of large ecological communities.

ABSTRACT: Understanding spatio-temporal dynamics of biotic communities containing large numbers of species is crucial to guide ecosystem management and conservation efforts. However, traditional approaches usually focus on studying community dynamics either in space or in time, often failing to fully account for interlinked spatio-temporal changes. In this study, we demonstrate and promote the use of tensor decomposition for disentangling spatio-temporal community dynamics in long-term monitoring data. Tensor decomposition builds on traditional multivariate statistics (e.g. Principal Component Analysis) but extends it to multiple dimensions. This extension allows for the synchronized study of multiple ecological variables measured repeatedly in time and space. We applied this comprehensive approach

SUBMITTER: Frelat R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5685633 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature