$$AREA_{CV} = cv(AREA[patch_{ij}])$$
where \(AREA[patch_{ij}]\) is the area of each patch in hectares.
AREA_CV is an 'Area and Edge metric'. The metric summarises each class
as the Coefficient of variation of all patch areas belonging to class i.
The metric describes the differences among patches of the same class i in
the landscape and is easily comparable because it is scaled to the mean.
Because the metric is based on distances or areas please make sure your data
is valid using check_landscape.
Behaviour
Equals AREA_CV = 0 if all patches are identical in size.
Increases, without limit, as the variation of patch areas increases.