Multiscale analysis of river networks using the R package linbin

North American Journal of Fisheries Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Analytical tools are needed in riverine science and management to bridge the gap between GIS and statistical packages that were not designed for the directional and dendritic structure of streams. We introduce linbin, an R package developed for the analysis of riverscapes at multiple scales. With this software, riverine data on aquatic habitat and species distribution can be scaled and plotted automatically with respect to their position in the stream network or—in the case of temporal data—their position in time. The linbin package aggregates data into bins of different sizes as specified by the user. We provide case studies illustrating the use of the software for (1) exploring patterns at different scales by aggregating variables at a range of bin sizes, (2) comparing repeat observations by aggregating surveys into bins of common coverage, and (3) tailoring analysis to data with custom bin designs. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of linbin for summarizing patterns throughout an entire stream network, and we analyze the diel and seasonal movements of tagged fish past a stationary receiver to illustrate how linbin can be used with temporal data. In short, linbin enables more rapid analysis of complex data sets by fisheries managers and stream ecologists and can reveal underlying spatial and temporal patterns of fish distribution and habitat throughout a riverscape.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Multiscale analysis of river networks using the R package linbin
Series title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
DOI 10.1080/02755947.2015.1044764
Volume 4
Issue 35
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher American Fisheries Society
Contributing office(s) Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, John Wesley Powell Center for Analysis and Synthesis
Description 8 p.
First page 802
Last page 809
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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