Assessing the trade-off between data quality and spatial resolution for the Thornthwaite Moisture Index mapping. Issue 1 (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leao, Simone Z.
• Is Part Of: Journal of spatial science. Volume 62:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Thornthwaite Moisture Index -- data quality -- spatial resolution -- map reliability -- GIS; Geographic information systems -- Periodicals; Cartography -- Periodicals; Surveying -- Periodicals; Geodesy -- Periodicals; Photogrammetry -- Periodicals; Cartography; Geodesy; Geographic information systems; Photogrammetry; Surveying; Periodicals; 526.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14498596.2016.1220871
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1449-8596

Abstract

Abstract: The Thornthwaite Moisture Index (TMI) is a climate classification used in biophysical and biological studies. A TMI mapping of Victoria/Australia over the century indicated its applicability to assess climate change induced patterns of moisture variability. This paper progresses upon this, developing analytical procedures to assess the quality of the climate data used as input, and to select suitable spatial resolution for the output map. It is argued here that these are interrelated issues, and that the selection of a certain data quality level or a spatial resolution for TMI mapping needs to consider a trade-off between precision and scale. Results indicated that different trade-off options affect the climate classification and, therefore, a proposed framework can be used for non-arbitrary decisions on TMI mapping.