Environmental Statistics, Assessment, and Forecasting

Environmental Statistics, Assessment, and Forecasting examines the current efforts to develop a coherent picture of national and regional environmental trends and conditions. The book includes sampling methodologies, statistical analysis techniques, environmental modeling, graphic presentation, including geographic information systems (GIS), and the problems involved in forecasting the future. The sampling and statistical techniques discussed include dealing with large variability and soft data; composite sampling; methods for combining data; data below the detection level; multivariate data; spatially censored, artificially censored, and incomplete data; kriging; and imputation. Geographic information system (GIS) analysis is discussed in the context of database management systems. Also covered are topics involved in the future of environmental statistics, including research planning, a bureau of environmental statistics, global interactions, and communication techniques. The book will interest statistical analysts, environmental planners, scientists, regulators, and policy makers in government, industry, and environmental groups.