Numerical classification techniques applied to forest tree distribution data. I. A comparison of methods

Distribution data for 111 mainly sclerophyll forest tree species in southern and eastern Australia were analysed to detect possible phytogeographic provinces. The suitability of fourteen methods of numerical classification was assessed. Overall, the Kulczynski (1927) similarity coefficient together with the flexible clustering strategy (β= 0.25) (Lance & Williams 1967) and the asymmetric information statistic (Dale, Lance & Albrecht 1971) were considered to produce the most satisfactory results.