One use of the cluster analysis in biogeographical classifications

A. U. Kafanov¹, E. E. Borisovetz²,1. V. Volvenko²

¹Institute of Marine Biology of RAS
69004 J Far East Branch, Vladivostok
e-mail: kafanov@mail.primorye.ru
¹Pacific Research Fisheries Centre
690950 Vladivostok

Some unavoidable methodic and methodological problems arising at each stage of the classification of objects by the methods of hierarchical clustering are shown on the concrete (biogeographical) and abstract - numerical examples. Reasons which cause these problems and possible ways of minimization of cluster analysis artifacts are discussed. Unavoidable constrains in interpretations of dendrograms obtained by means of agglomerate algorithms are indicated.