THE USE OF PRIOR INFORMATION IN SPATIAL STATISTICS

Areas, models and variability are relevant sources of prior information for spatial statistics. These sources can be exploited when spatial data are to be used for interpolation and sampling. Both stochastic and deterministic covariables can be used in regression equations for spatial interpolation. The ideas are illustrated with a study on cadmium pollution in the Netherlands. Prior information is shown to be crucial when deciding where to sample. Interpolation benefits from prior stratification. reducing the MSE value with 50% in homogeneous strata. Further research is needed to deal with other forms of prior information.