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N = total number of patches in the landscape. A = total landscape area (m2). |
| Description | PD equals the number of patches in the landscape, divided by total landscape area (m2), multiplied by 10,000 and 100 (to convert to 100 hectares). Note, PD does not include background patches or patches in the landscape border, if present. However, 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. |
| 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. |
