Changes

==Cluster analysis==

==Cluster analysis==

[[file:applied-paleontology_fig17-22.png|left|thumb|{{figure number|1}}See text for explanation.]]

[[file:applied-paleontology_fig17-22.png|300px|thumb|{{figure number|1}}See text for explanation.]]

One of the most popular methods of recognizing biofacies assemblages is cluster analysis. This method arranges the species into a hierarchical classification called a ''dendrogram''. Dendrograms are constructed from the statistical distance or similarity between samples, based on their species composition. The species having the highest degree of similarity are clustered first, then others in successive order, until all species are paired into clusters. The results of the cluster analysis show faunal groupings, or ''biofacies'', which are often characteristic of specific environments. [[:file:applied-paleontology_fig17-22.png|Figure 1]] is an example of weighted interfossil distances for Neogene benthic foraminifera of offshore California.

One of the most popular methods of recognizing biofacies assemblages is cluster analysis. This method arranges the species into a hierarchical classification called a ''dendrogram''. Dendrograms are constructed from the statistical distance or similarity between samples, based on their species composition. The species having the highest degree of similarity are clustered first, then others in successive order, until all species are paired into clusters. The results of the cluster analysis show faunal groupings, or ''biofacies'', which are often characteristic of specific environments. [[:file:applied-paleontology_fig17-22.png|Figure 1]] is an example of weighted interfossil distances for Neogene benthic foraminifera of offshore California.