Scale invariant measures of pattern intensity and grain: A simulation experiment

We propose new dimensionless and scale-invariant measures for detection of pattern intensity, defined as the level of aggregation of individuals regar dless their kind, and pattern grain, the level of segregation among individ uals of at least two different kinds in point-pattern spatial data using te ssellation methodology. Both real and simulated data on spatial distributio n of plants in ecological communities show that the proposed parameters can be considered fingerprints of particular point patterns. This approach all ows definition of both pattern intensity and grain for any kind of tessella ted plane in an operational way, rendering these available for quantificati on and testing.