Comparing Urban Fragmentation Results Between Neighborhood Delineation Methods
Abstract:
<p>Fragmentation is an important concept across urban sociology and landscape ecology, but different methods are employed across these fields. Recently, Delmelle (2019) analyzed neighborhoods of large MSAs in the United States using edge density, a patch fragmentation measure commonly used in landscape ecology. We replicate these methods using a spatially-constrained neighborhoods delineation approach and compare the fragmentation rankings in each neighborhood scheme using rank correlation statistics.</p><p>We find a relatively high degree of concordance within time periods, but a low degree of concordance when compared over time. In addition to contributing to the larger debate about neighborhood delineation methods, we discuss the implications of the variations and similarities across fragmentation rankings with regards to national fragmentation patterns. We discuss the use of edge density as a metric of fragmentation in cities as opposed to ecological landscapes, arguing for the relevance of the outer boundary of a study area in urban applications.<br> </p>