Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R

Sharing & Social Bookmarking:

Question about this product?

Series: Chapman & Hall/CRC Applied Environmental Statistics.

Emphasizing the inductive nature of statistical thinking, Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R connects applied statistics to the environmental and ecological fields. It follows the general approach to solving a statistical modeling problem, covering model specification, parameter estimation, and model evaluation. The author uses many examples to illustrate the statistical models and presents R implementations of the models.

The book first builds a foundation for conducting a simple data analysis task, such as exploratory data analysis and fitting linear regression models. It then focuses on statistical modeling, including linear and nonlinear models, classification and regression tree, and the generalized linear model. The text also discusses the use of simulation for model checking, provides tools for a critical assessment of the developed model, and explores multilevel regression models, which are a class of models that can have a broad impact in environmental and ecological data analysis.

Based on courses taught by the author at Duke University, this book focuses on statistical modeling and data analysis for environmental and ecological problems. By guiding readers through the processes of scientific problem solving and statistical model development, it eases the transition from scientific hypothesis to statistical model.

Table of Contents

BASIC CONCEPTS

Introduction

The Everglades Example

Statistical Issues

R

What Is R?

Getting Started with R

The R Commander

Statistical Assumptions

The Normality Assumption

The Independence Assumption

The Constant Variance Assumption

Exploratory Data Analysis

From Graphs to Statistical Thinking

Statistical Inference

Estimation of Population Mean and Confidence Interval

Hypothesis Testing

A General Procedure

Nonparametric Methods for Hypothesis Testing

Significance Level alpha, Power 1 - beta, and p-Value

One-Way Analysis of Variance

Examples

STATISTICAL MODELING

Linear Models

ANOVA as a Linear Model

Simple and Multiple Linear Regression Models

General Considerations in Building a Predictive Model

Uncertainty in Model Predictions

Two-Way ANOVA

Nonlinear Models

Nonlinear Regression

Smoothing

Smoothing and Additive Models

Classification and Regression Tree

The Willamette River Example

Statistical Methods

Comments

Generalized Linear Model

Logistic Regression

Model Interpretation

Diagnostics

Seed Predation by Rodents: A Second Example of Logistic Regression

Poisson Regression Model

Generalized Additive Models

ADVANCED STATISTICAL MODELING

Simulation for Model Checking and Statistical Inference

Simulation

Summarizing Linear and Nonlinear Regression Using Simulation

Simulation Based on Resampling

Multilevel Regression

Multilevel Structure and Exchangeability

Multilevel ANOVA

Multilevel Linear Regression

Generalized Multilevel Models

References

Index

Reviews

My favorite feature of this book is the large number of datasets (available on Qian’s web page) … Overall, I liked the book. I expect that I will be pulling examples from it when I teach methods courses to students in the sciences. … it does contain many interesting and intriguing examples, and good examples of R code. So I can and do recommend it as a helpful resource …

—Jane L. Harvill, The American Statistician, November 2011

Qian effectively blends fundamentals of scientific methods with statistical thinking, modeling, computing, and inference. … the text is well formatted with liberal use of illustrative portions of R code … It is clear that Qian has taken great care in developing this book and has succeeded in meeting his stated purpose. The book reflects Qian’s insights into teaching environmental and ecological modeling developed over many years in applied statistics and as an educator in applied sciences. …

—Biometrics, June 2011

This book gives a data-oriented introduction to statistical modeling of environmental and ecological phenomena. It is a beautiful scientific guideline for a computer-based model building and evaluation process. … This introductory book gives a diversified overview of modern applied statistics while always following an inductive, data-based approach. Numerous data sets and R scripts, all available online, help to understand even the subtle differences between various models. Here, the reader profits from the obvious practical experience of the author. Meaningful graphics and R code/output embedded in the text support the conclusions drawn and facilitate the application to own data sets. … Students and researchers of environmental sciences with basic knowledge in statistics will find this book valuable as both a work of reference and an introductory guide to statistical modeling with R.

—Sebastian Engelke and Martin Schlather, Biometrical Journal, 2011

Author/Editor Biography

Song S. Qian is an associate research professor in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Dr. Qian’s research consists of adaptive management strategies for watershed TMDL, GIS-assisted watershed modeling, water quality assessments, modeling marine mammal habitats, environmental sampling design, and more.

Customers who bought Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R also bought:

  • Image Coming Soon

    Predictive Hydrology

    A Frequency Analysis Approach

  • An Introduction to Exotic Option Pricing

    An Introduction to Exotic Option Pricing

  • Statistical Techniques for Project Control

    Statistical Techniques for Project Control

  • Agents, Games, and Evolution

    Agents, Games, and Evolution

    Strategies at Work and Play

  • Project Management

    Project Management

    Systems, Principles, and Applications