About this Research Topic
Understanding the spread and successful introduction of invasive species is a highly complex as biological, social, geographic, economic and climatic factors influence the way an invasive species is introduced and determines the options available for its eventual detection and control.
With the rapid development of smart sensors, social networks, digital maps and remotely-sensed imagery; spatio-temporal data are more ubiquitous and richer than ever before. The availability of such large datasets (Big data) poses great challenges in data analysis. In addition, increased availability of computing power facilitates the use of computationally-intensive methods for the analysis of such data.
Thus new methods are needed to understand biological invasions. A Research Topic held in Environmental Informatics aims to address this topic.
Thematics could include:
· Machine learning methods (Neural networks, Random forests)
· Pattern analysis (Pattern formation; autocorrelation; clusters)
· Stochastic analysis (SPDE, SIR etc.)
· Bayesian modeling
· Big data analytics
· Spatiotemporal statistics
· Data visualization
· GIS; Trajectories and GPS tracking; Telemetry and Remote Sensing
· Agent based modelling calibrated with real data
· Decision making and risk assessment
· Network and connectivity analysis
· Co-occurrence and moving objects
This list is not exhaustive and we welcome enquiries about possible submissions. Methods are defined in the widest terms and may be analytical, practical or conceptual. A key aim of the thematic is to maximise the use of the proposed methods/techniques by the scientific community and environmental stakeholders. To that end we strongly encourage contributors to upload their computer code, example applications or demonstrations of methods.
Please note that purely descriptive papers, or applications of widely used statistical methodologies such as species distribution modelling or maxent etc without any methodological improvement or detection of problems in the method are not within the scope of this thematic.
Keywords: Environmental informatics, Biological Invasions, Alien Species, Data mining, Methods
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.