VecStatGraphs2D, A Tool for the Analysis of Two-Dimensional Vector Data: An Example Using QuikSCAT Ocean Winds

Circular or directional data are used in disciplines such as meteorology, geomatics, biology, and geology. The analysis of angular data requires special methods that are available in some statistical packages. However, these tools analyze only the angular values and do not include the vector modules...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:IEEE geoscience and remote sensing letters 2014-05, Vol.11 (5), p.921-925
Main Authors: Rodriguez, P. G., Polo, M. E., Cuartero, A., Felicisimo, A. M., Ruiz-Cuetos, J. C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Azimuth
Bird migration
Birds
Circular statistics
directional data
Graphics
Oceans
QuikSCAT
R project
Statistical analysis
statistical graphics
Vectors
Wind speed
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Summary:Circular or directional data are used in disciplines such as meteorology, geomatics, biology, and geology. The analysis of angular data requires special methods that are available in some statistical packages. However, these tools analyze only the angular values and do not include the vector modules, assuming unit vectors in all cases. In this letter, an open-source graphic and statistical package, i.e., VecStatGraphs2D, is described. It works in the R environment and provides statistics and graphics for modules (linear) and azimuths (circular), as well as graphics for the joint analysis of modules and azimuths. QuikSCAT satellite wind data are used to demonstrate some features of the package. QuikSCAT data are non-unit-length vectors, where both azimuth and magnitude (speed) are derived from u and v vector components (vector projections over the x- and y-axes). The example is used to show the seasonal change of winds in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a key area in the ocean bird migration from the North to South Atlantic oceans.
ISSN:1545-598X
1558-0571
DOI:10.1109/LGRS.2013.2281840