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Methodology and Interpretation
PLGP - Proportion of largest forest patch to total forest area
The proportion of largest forest patch to total forest area is calculated
by dividing the largest forest patch size by the total forest area in the
3 km grid cell reporting unit. This metric provides information on the
fragmentation of the forest. When the value is close to one, most or all of
the forest is connected in one patch. As the number decreases, fragmentation
increases.
Quantile: Each class contains an approximately equal number (count) of features. A quantile
classification is well-suited to linearly distributed data. Because features are grouped by the number
within each class, the resulting map can be misleading, in that similar features can be separated into
adjacent classes, or features with widely different values can be lumped into the same class. This
distortion can be minimized by increasing the number of classes.
Natural Breaks: Classes are based on natural groupings of data values. Natural break points
are identified by looking for groupings and patterns inherent in the data. The features are divided
into classes whose boundaries are set where there are relatively large jumps in the distribution of
data values.
* EMAP-West Landscape Metrics Metadata (FGDC)
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