Changes in the distribution of Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) on major soil groups: An application of the log-linear model.

Abstract

The association of poplar box (Eucalyptus populnea) with five main soil groups is examined. A statistical analysis, using a log- linear model, indicated that the relative frequencies of poplar box sites occumng on major soil groups changed with geographic location. The change in distribution is shown to relate to climate, as indicated by summer and winter moisture indices and the diff- erence between them. This study illustrates the use of log-linear models in ecology; such models, and more generally, Generalized Linear Models, in providing significance tests, have advantages over the non-statistical methods of gradient analysis.