Sensitivity of GIS patterns to data resolution: a case study of forest fragmentation in New Zealand

Spatial pattern plays an influential role in the ecological pattern metrics computed from remotely sensed data offer a process. However, the resolution of geographic data affects consequent implications for the interpretation of biological the effect of data resolution on estimates of three metrics of forest literature: percent forest cover, forest edge density, and mean each metric were computed for six landscapes (30 × 30 km) data resolutions with pixels ranging from 30 to 1000 m. value as a result of changing resolution, and the sensitivity impacted in a non-linear manner by the amount of forest cover cover, changing pixel size altered estimates of percent forest for effects of changing resolution and different landscapes all, metrics. The scaling problem hinders efforts to correlate subsequent conclusions concerning biodiversity and conservation policy.