Object Pattern Analysis

In plant ecology, each individual plant is mapped as a point with the
Cartesian coordinates (x,y) representing the center of their
stems. But, depending on the dimensions of the individuals in relation to the
scale that we want to analyze, this transformation can cause problems. To
analyze the spatial configuration of individuals (trees, coral, etc...) using
traditional statistical spatial methods like Ripley K-function (Ripley 1977), each individual within the study site is represented as a point. Problem can arise due to the loss of information during the transformation.
The limitations of this procedure which considers a three dimensional plant
individual as a point, affect the interpretation of results obtained via
standart spatial methods, which can not correspond to what is really
happening at the study site.
the main objective of this paper is to provide a suitable method to perform
spatial analysis of individuals, considering these individuals as a circular
objects, rather than points. The idea behind the method is to approximate
each individual as a circle and to perform the spatial analysis considering
these individuals as circular objects.