Abstract:In Geostatistics, the use of measurement to describe the spatial dependence of the attribute is of great importance, but only some models (which have second-order stationarity) are considered with such measurement. Thus, this paper aims to propose measurements to assess the degree of spatial dependence in power model adjustment phenomena. From a premise that considers the equivalent sill as the estimated semivariance value that matches the point where the adjusted power model curves intersect, it is possible to build two indexes to evaluate such dependence. The first one, SPD * , is obtained from the relation between the equivalent contribution (α) and the equivalent sill (C * = C0 + α), and varies from 0 to 100% (based on the calculation of spatial dependence areas). The second one, SDI * , beyond the previous relation, considers the equivalent factor of model (FM * ), which depends on the exponent β that describes the force of spatial dependence in the power model (based on spatial correlation areas). The SDI * , for β close to 2, assumes its larger scale, varying from 0 to 66.67%. Both indexes have symmetrical distribution, and allow the classification of spatial dependence in weak, moderate and strong.Keywords: Geostatistics; Variographic analysis; Semivariogram without sill; Spatial dependence indexes. Resumo:Em geoestatística, a utilização de medidas que descrevam a dependência espacial do atributo é de grande importância, porém apenas alguns modelos (que possuem estacionariedade de segunda ordem) são contemplados com tais medidas. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo propor medidas para avaliação do grau de dependência espacial em fenômenos com ajuste de modelo Barbosa, I. C. et al. 462 Bull. Geod. Sci, Articles section, Curitiba, v. 23, n°3, p.461 -475, Jul -Sept, 2017. potência. A partir de uma premissa que considera o patamar-equivalente como o valor de semivariância que coincide com o ponto em que as curvas ajustadas do modelo potência se interceptam, pode-se construir dois índices para avaliação de tal dependência. O primeiro, DE * , é obtido a partir da relação entre a contribuição-equivalente (α) e o patamar-equivalente (C * = C0 + α), e varia de 0 a 100% (baseado no cálculo de áreas de dependência espacial). O segundo, IDE * , além da relação anterior, considera um fator de modelo equivalente (FM * ), que depende do expoente β, o qual descreve a força da dependência espacial no modelo potência (baseado em áreas de correlação espacial). O IDE * , para β próximo de 2, assume sua maior escala, variando de 0 a 66.67%. Ambos os índices possuem distribuição simétrica, e permitem a classificação da dependência espacial em fraca, moderada e forte.

This study aims to propose a spatial dependence index (and its classification), from the concept of spatial correlation areas, for the Cubic, Pentaspherical and Wave models. The index, called Spatial Dependence Index (SDI), covers the following parameters: the range (a), the nugget effect (C 0 ) and the contribution (C 1 ), beyond considering the maximum distance (MD) between sampled points and the model factor (MF). The proposed index, unlike the most used in the literature, considers the influence of the range parameter to describe the spatial dependence, highlighting the importance of this formulation. The spatial dependence classification, based on the observed asymmetric behavior in the SDI, was performed considering categorizations from the median and the 3rd quartile of the index. We obtain the spatial dependence classification in terms of weak, moderate, and strong, just as it is usually described in literature.

The main purpose of this article was to evaluate the behavior and relationship of the range and components of SDI (Spatial Dependence Index) in general and in function of field factors such as soil types, type of attribute and soil layers. This evaluation was based on real data collected in national journals. It was noticed that the parameter range, in general and for different field factors, presented asymmetric positive behavior. The components of the SDI showed approximately symmetrical behavior. The SDI can capture the range behavior more intensely (the spatial variability behavior in the horizontal direction of the semivariogram), and, in a less intense way, the behavior of the contribution and sill parameters (the spatial dependence behavior in the vertical direction of the semivariogram). Thus, the SDI describes the behavior of spatial dependence of the total set of aspects of the semivariogram.

The assessment of spatial variability of environmental variables such as soil properties is important for site-specific management. A geostatistical index that allows quantifying and characterizing the structure of spatial variability is fundamental in this context. Thus, this study aimed to develop a new spatial dependency index, called the Spatial Dependence Measure (SDM) for the spherical, exponential, Gaussian, cubic, pentaspherical, and wave semivariogram models; and comparing it with some of the indexes available in the literature. The SDM is also dimensionless, in the same way as the Spatial Dependence Index (SDI), also considering more parameters of the semivariogram, when compared to the Spatial Dependence Degree (SPD) and Relative Nugget Effect (NE) indexes. In a simulation data study, it is observed that the SDI and SDM indexes showed an advantage over the SPD (or NE). To exemplify the application of the SDM in the proposal for the classification of soil properties, we used estimates of geostatistical parameters presented in the two studies. The results indicate that the SDM can be a measure that, analyzed together with the SDI, can help to improve the description of the spatial variability structure. Thus, this study expands the number of geostatisitcal-based measures and increases the power of decision on the description of the degree of spatial variability of agricultural and soil attributes.