PolyFrag: a vector-based program for computing landscape metrics

Landscape fragmentation is important in investigating changing biodiversity patterns. Several current software programs calculate landscape fragmentation metrics. The most prevalent of these programs are only compatible with raster-format land cover maps. However, with advancing classification techniques, vector-format maps are becoming more popular. The new program PolyFrag computes fragmentation metrics for vector-based maps, is flexible and comprehensive, and outputs metrics similar to those of the widely used raster-based programs, like FRAGSTATS. PolyFrag is written in Python, used as a tool in ArcGIS, and allows for several fragmented and fragmenter land cover classes, as well as different edge widths between interacting classes.