Measuring habitat complexity and spatial heterogeneity in ecology

Habitat complexity has been considered a key driver of biodiversity and other ecological phenomena for nearly a century. However, there is still no consensus over the definition of complexity or how to measure it. Up-to-date and clear guidance on measuring complexity is urgently needed, particularly given the rise of remote sensing and advent of technologies that allow environments to be scanned at unprecedented spatial extents and resolutions. Here we review how complexity is measured in ecology. We provide a framework for metrics of habitat complexity, and for the related concept of spatial heterogeneity. We focus on the two most commonly used complexity metrics in ecology: fractal dimension and rugosity. We discuss the pros and cons of these metrics using practical examples from our own empirical data and from simulations. Fractal dimension is particularly widely used, and we provide a critical examination of it drawing on research from other scientific fields. We also discuss informational metrics of complexity and their potential benefits. We chart a path forward for research on measuring habitat complexity by presenting, as a guide, sets of essential and desirable criteria that a metric of complexity should possess. Lastly, we discuss the applied significance of our review.