Spatial Point Patterns

In looking at ecological processes, interest in the pattern of occurrences of species, e.g., the pattern of trees in a forest, say junipers and pinions. In spatial epidemiology, we seek to find pattern in disease cases, perhaps different patterns for cases vs. controls. Exple: breast cancer cases; treatment option mastectomy or radiation In syndromic surveillance we seek to identify disease outbreaks, looking for clustering of cases. Evolution/growth of a city, i.e., urban development, pattern of development of single family homes or of commercial property over time.