|
Titel |
Technical Note: Higher-order statistical moments and a procedure that detects potentially anomalous years as two alternative methods describing alterations in continuous environmental data |
VerfasserIn |
I. Arismendi, S. L. Johnson, J. B. Dunham |
Medientyp |
Artikel
|
Sprache |
Englisch
|
ISSN |
1027-5606
|
Digitales Dokument |
URL |
Erschienen |
In: Hydrology and Earth System Sciences ; 19, no. 3 ; Nr. 19, no. 3 (2015-03-02), S.1169-1180 |
Datensatznummer |
250120645
|
Publikation (Nr.) |
copernicus.org/hess-19-1169-2015.pdf |
|
|
|
Zusammenfassung |
Statistics of central tendency and dispersion may not capture relevant or
desired characteristics of the distribution of continuous phenomena and,
thus, they may not adequately describe temporal patterns of change. Here, we
present two methodological approaches that can help to identify temporal
changes in environmental regimes. First, we use higher-order
statistical moments (skewness and kurtosis) to examine potential changes of
empirical distributions at decadal extents. Second, we adapt a statistical
procedure combining a non-metric multidimensional scaling technique and
higher density region plots to detect potentially anomalous years. We
illustrate the use of these approaches by examining long-term stream
temperature data from minimally and highly human-influenced streams. In
particular, we contrast predictions about thermal regime responses to
changing climates and human-related water uses. Using these methods, we
effectively diagnose years with unusual thermal variability and patterns in
variability through time, as well as spatial variability linked to regional
and local factors that influence stream temperature. Our findings highlight
the complexity of responses of thermal regimes of streams and reveal their
differential vulnerability to climate warming and human-related water uses.
The two approaches presented here can be applied with a variety of other
continuous phenomena to address historical changes, extreme events, and
their associated ecological responses. |
|
|
Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|