Utility of classification and regression tree analyses and vegetation in mountain permafrost models, Yukon, Canada

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

KREMER, M.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Ottawa, Canada

LEWKOWICZ, A.G.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Ottawa, Canada

BONNAVENTURE, P.P.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Ottawa, Canada

SAWADA, M.C.

Dep. of Geography, Univ., Ottawa, Canada

Description :
Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses were undertaken to test the usefulness of including vegetation variables in mountain permafrost distribution models for 5 widely spaced study areas in the Yukon. Digital elevation model (DEM)-derived variables, field-derived vegetation variables and satellite imagery-derived vegetation variables were employed individually to classify sites into permafrost probable, permafrost improbable and permafrost ‘uncertain’ categories. The vegetation variables were subsequently combined with the DEM-derived set to see if they could improve the latter's accuracy. CART analyses appear useful for predicting permafrost distribution because they can incorporate non-linear relationships between independent variables and the presence of permafrost.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2011, vol. 22, n°. 2, p. 163-178, nombre de pages : 16, Références bibliographiques : 40 ref.

Date :
2011

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais