Some Observations of the Use of Discriminant Analysis in Ecology
Open Access
- 1 October 1983
- Vol. 64 (5) , 1283-1291
- https://doi.org/10.2307/1937836
Abstract
The application of discriminant analysis in ecological investigations is discussed. The appropriate statistical assumptions for discriminant are illustrated, and both classification and group separation approaches are outlined. Three assumptions that are crucial in ecological studies are discussed at length, and the consequences of their violation are developed. These assumptions are: (1) equality of dispersions, (2) identifiability of prior probabilities, and (3) precise and accurate estimation of means and dispersions. The use of discriminant functions for purposes of interpreting ecological relationships is also discussed. It is suggested that the common practice of imputing ecological meaning to the signs and magnitudes of coefficients be replaced by an assessment of structure coefficients. Finally, the potential and limitations of representation of data in canonical space are considered, and some cautionary points are made concerning ecological interpretation of patterns in canonical space.This publication has 5 references indexed in Scilit:
- Niche Pattern in a Forest‐Floor Small‐Mammal FaunaEcology, 1979
- Ecological Relationships of Two Interspecifically Territorial VireosEcology, 1978
- Behavioural interactions of interspecifically territorial vireos. II. Seasonal variation in response intensityAnimal Behaviour, 1978
- Microhabitats in a Forest‐Floor Small Mammal FaunaEcology, 1978
- Robustness of the linear and quadratic discriminant function to certain types of non‐normalityCommunications in Statistics, 1973