Mapping the structure of spatial point patterns on a regional scale

Abstract

To identify geographical regularities in changing the structure of spatial point patterns, we proposed the use of cartographic visualization. Approaches to gathering initial data, mechanisms for calculating the characteristics of the spatial structure and ways of displaying them on the map are described. The process of mapping combines elements of geoinformatics, spatial statistics and cartography. The elements of the methodology were integrated using the R programming language and the spatstat package. A script was written in the R that enables automating the calculation of the spatial structure’s quantitative characteristics. Thirteen indicators were identified that can be used for cartographic visualization of the spatial point images structure features. The described approach was tested on the example of sparse woody vegetation areas found in the ravine-gully network of the Central Chernozem region.