 |
ni = number of patches in the landscape of patch type (class) i. A = total landscape area (m2). |
| Description | PD equals the number of patches of the corresponding patch type divided by total landscape area (m2), multiplied by 10,000 and 100 (to convert to 100 hectares). Note, total landscape area (A) includes any internal background present. |
| Units | Number per 100 hectares |
| Range | PD > 0, constrained by cell size. PD is ultimately constrained by the grain size of the raster image, because the maximum PD is attained when every cell is a separate patch. Therefore, ultimately cell size will determine the maximum number of patches per unit area. However, the maximum density of patches of a single class is attained when every other cell is of that focal class (i.e., in a checker board manner; because adjacent cells of the same class would be in the same patch). |
| Comments | Patch density is a limited, but fundamental, aspect of landscape pattern. Patch density has the same basic utility as number of patches as an index, except that it expresses number of patches on a per unit area basis that facilitates comparisons among landscapes of varying size. Of course, if total landscape area is held constant, then patch density and number of patches convey the same information. Like number of patches, patch density often has limited interpretive value by itself because it conveys no information about the sizes and spatial distribution of patches. Note that the choice of the 4-neighbor or 8-neighbor rule for delineating patches will have an impact on this metric. |
