Emphasizing the inductive nature of statistical thinking, Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R, Second Edition, connects applied statistics to the environmental and ecological fields. Using examples from published works in the ecological and environmental literature, the book explains the approach to solving a statistical problem, covering model specification, parameter estimation, and model evaluation. It includes many examples to illustrate the statistical methods and presents R code for their implementation. The emphasis is on model interpretation and assessment, and using several core examples throughout the book, the author illustrates the iterative nature of statistical inference.
The book starts with a description of commonly used statistical assumptions and exploratory data analysis tools for the verification of these assumptions. It then focuses on the process of building suitable statistical models, including linear and nonlinear models, classification and regression trees, generalized linear models, and multilevel models. It also discusses the use of simulation for model checking, and provides tools for a critical assessment of the developed models. The second edition also includes a complete critique of a threshold model.
Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R, Second Edition focuses on statistical modeling and data analysis for environmental and ecological problems. By guiding readers through the process of scientific problem solving and statistical model development, it eases the transition from scientific hypothesis to statistical model.
I Basic Concepts
Introduction
A Crash Course on R
Statistical Assumptions
Statistical Inference
II Statistical Modeling
Linear Models
Nonlinear Models
Classi cation and Regression Tree
Generalized Linear Model
III Advanced Statistical Modeling
Simulation for Model Checking and Statistical Inference
Multilevel Regression
Using Simulation for Evaluating Models Based on Statistical Signicance Testing
Bibliography
Biography
Song S. Qian, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Toledo, Ohio, USA
"‘Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R, Second Edition’ offers a comprehensive and highly engaging look at modern statistical modeling. It covers a wide range of topics, including linear and non-linear regression models, classification and regression tree structures, and generalized linear models. I particularly enjoyed the third section of the book covering interesting areas of advanced statistical modeling, where the reader can find many didactical examples that are highly relevant to environmental management such as the problem of Cryptosporidium in drinking water, the uncertainty in water quality measurements using the ELISA method as an example, or the threshold indicator taxa analysis.
The author has the unique ability of being able to clearly explain difficult statistical concepts whilst still making the book accessible for researchers of all levels, from undergraduate students to researchers already conducting serious empirical research. The emerging philosophical consensus that both the frequentist and Bayesian way of thinking are important in statistical practice is nicely articulated throughout the book. R codes are also provided, enabling researchers to apply statistical techniques to their own ecological or environmental management problems. Overall, this book is exceptionally well written and should prove an invaluable tool either as a classroom text or as an addition to the research bookshelf. I am very confident that ‘Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R, Second Edition’ will end up being a classic!"
—George Arhonditsis, Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto"Shortly after it was published, the first edition of ‘Environmental and Ecological Statistics with R’ by Song S. Qian became a go-to book for environmental scientists interested in the application of Bayesian methods in R to address a broad range of enviro
