distribution functions

[Matthias Deuss]

Hello,

can someone explain the difference between the three types of distribution functions available for exportation to raster 

(https://ctmm-initiative.github.io/ctmm/reference/export.html)

"DF="PDF" gives the average probability density per cell, DF="PMF" gives the total probability per cell, and DF="CDF" gives the cumulative probability."

Thanks !

[Christen Fleming]

Hi Matthias,

Probability density (PDF) is the relative frequency of space use for the continuous location variable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probability_density_function

Probability mass (PMF) is the relative frequency for the discrete raster pixel, and also the amount of probability mass in that pixel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probability_mass_function

Cumulative probability (CDF) includes the coverage areas (e.g., 95% home-range area): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulative_distribution_function

There are different ways to construct a CDF and the conventional one for home-range areas is the highest density region (HDR) CDF that is zero at the mode and goes to 100% (1.0) far away from the home range.

Best,

Chris