Landscape Pattern Metrics
The common usage of the term ‘landscape metrics’ refers exclusively to indices developed for categorical maps. In addition, although a large part of landscape pattern analysis deals with the identification of scale and intensity of pattern, landscape metrics are focused on the characterization of the geometric and spatial
properties of categorical map patterns represented at a single scale (grain and extent). Thus, while it is important to recognize the variety of types of landscape patterns and goals of landscape pattern analysis, the focus herein is on landscape metrics as they are commonly applied in landscape ecology.