Point Pattern Analysis

Point pattern analysis

relationship between two sets of points

When analyzing a homogeneous point

distribution, that is, points of the same
kind, our interest lies in the detection of
spatial patterns in the point distribution.
On the other hand, if there are more than
one set of points, spatial patterns may be
found in the relationship between point
distributions.

 We can find various types of spatial

patterns in the relationship between two
point distributions.
In the real world, the most important
pattern is the similarity between two
distributions.
If two distributions show similar patterns,
it suggests that they are related with
each other, either directly or indirectly.

 Similarity between two distributions

suggests
1. one distribution is a cause for the other
distribution, or,
2. two distributions have the same cause.

Inference drawn
In Dr. John Snows map of London we
find the similarity
between the distribution of cholera
cases and location of a water
pump. This suggests that the water
of the pump contains a cause of
cholera.

 The map of lung and larynx cancer

cases, on the other hand, suggests
that the two cancers are caused by
the same environmental factors.
Since lung and larynx are both
respiratory organs, we suspect that
air pollution causes lung and larynx
cancers.

Relationship of proximity
Spatial similarity between two distributions
can be quantitatively described by the
spatial proximity between the distributions.

Quadrat method
Quadrat method is a statistical test
for evaluating the similarity between
two distributions.
It is used for analyzing not only a set
of points but also the relationship
between two sets of points.

 Suppose we have two sets of points, PA and

PB.

Null hypothesis H0:

Points PA and PB are independently distributed. They are not spatially
correlated with each other.
Alternative hypothesis H1:
Two point distributions are not spatially independent.
They are spatially correlated with each other.

 Quadrat method considers whether or not

two
distributions
are
spatially
independent.
This method does not directly answer the
question whether two distributions are
spatially clustered or separated.

Test procedure
In Quadrat method, first convert point data into
raster data.
Then classify the cells into one of the four
categories and count the number of cells of
each category:
1) cells that contain both PA and PB points,
2) cells that contain only PA points,
3) cells that contain only PB points,
4) empty cells.
From the count data of cells we calculate the 2
statistic and do the 2 test.

2 statistic
CAB: The number of cells that contain both P A and PB
points
CA0: The number of cells that contain only P A points
C0B: The number of cells that contain only P B points
C00: The number of empty cells
CA: The number of cells that contain P A points
(= CAB + CA0)
CB: The number of cells that contain P B points
(= CAB + C0B)
C: The total number of cells
(CAB + CA0 + C0B + C00)

 Relationship among variables is shown by

the 2x2 table below.

 If PA and PB are spatially independent, the

2x2 table shows a proportional pattern,
say,

 2 test compares observed data with the data

expected from a theoretical model.
In this case we use the proportional pattern as
the theoretical distribution of the number of cells.
yAB: Expected number of cells that contain both P A
and PB
points
yA0: Expected number of cells that contain only PA
points
y0B: Expected number of cells that contain only PB
points
y00: Expected number of empty cells

 Calculate the distribution of cell counts

expected in the proportional pattern from
the subtotals of cell counts.

 The 2 statistic is given by

If PA and PB are spatially independent,

this statistics follows the 2 distribution
with 1 degree of freedom.

Limitations of Quadrat
method
Quadrat method has several limitations
when applied to analysis of a set of points.
It has also similar limitations when applied
to analysis of the relationship between
point distributions.

 The result depends on the cell size.

 The quadrat method cannot distinguish

some different distributions.