Modern statistical methods for clustering community ecology data

该项目将开发用于聚类社区生态数据的统计方法和软件，并使用它们来分析沿着大堡礁收集的系统调查和公民科学方案数据。通过这样做，该项目将解决缺乏具有复杂关系的高维多响应数据的统计分类技术的问题。当由此产生的聚类方法被用来构建生物区和珊瑚物种的环境反应，他们应该大大加强人类活动和环境变化对珊瑚多样性的影响的评估。最终，这些评估可以为未来保护和管理大堡礁的决策提供依据。

This project will develop statistical methods and software for clustering community ecology data, and use them to analyse systematic survey and citizen science program data collected along the Great Barrier Reef. By doing so, the project will address the dearth of statistical classification techniques for high-dimensional, multi-response data with complex relationships. When the resultant clustering methods are used to construct bioregions and characterise species’ environmental responses, they should significantly enhance evaluations of the impact of human activity and environmental change on coral diversity. Ultimately, these evaluations can underpin future decisions in the conservation and management of the Great Barrier Reef.