An information theory-based approach to assessing spatial patterns in complex systems.

ABSTRACT: Given the intensity and frequency of environmental change, the linked and cross-scale nature of social-ecological systems, and the proliferation of big data, methods that can help synthesize complex system behavior over a geographical area are of great value. Fisher information evaluates order in data and has been established as a robust and effective tool for capturing changes in system dynamics, including the detection of regimes and regime shifts. Methods developed to compute Fisher information can accommodate multivariate data of various types and requires no a priori decisions about system drivers, making it a unique and powerful tool. However, the approach has primarily been used to evaluate temporal patterns. In its sole application to spatial data, Fisher information successfully d

SUBMITTER: Eason T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6688651 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature