Constructing space-time pdfs in Geosciences

Abstract

The focus of this work is the comparative analysis of techniques for constructing multivariate probability density function (Mv-pdf) models that can be used in a variety of geomathematics applications. The paper is concerned with formal and substantive model building methods. The former includes models that are speculative and analytically tractable, whereas the latter is based on substantive knowledge synthesis. More specifically, the present work focuses on the factoras and copulas techniques of Mv-pdf building, and their comparative analysis. It also discusses a substantive Mv-pdf building method that generates models on the basis of natural knowledge bases and takes into account the contentual and contextual domain of the in situ situation. The methods are compared in terms of a simulation study.