$$AREA_{CV} = cv(AREA[patch_{ij}])$$
where \(AREA[patch_{ij}]\) is the area of each patch in hectares.
AREA_CV is an 'Area and Edge metric'. The metric summarises the landscape
as the Coefficient of variation of all patches in the landscape.
The metric describes the differences among patches 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.