Moving analysis of interspecific associations

Abstract

A method of vegetation analysis is described in which interspecific associations are observed from a sampling block in each of its overlapping sequential positions as it moves across landscape. Its advantages are, firstly, that a graph of block associations (ordinate) against sequential block positions (abscissa) reveals intersected homogeneous communities as horizontal low sections separated by sharp peaks. Secondly, change in the value and sign of any pairwise interspecific association can be followed by similar plotting. Both of these features are illustrated.