Regionalization of forest pattern metrics for the continental United States using contiguity constrained clustering and partitioning

► We identified hierarchical forest pattern regions using spatially-constrained clustering. ► Our method increased within-region heterogeneity but ensured spatial contiguity of regions. ► The resulting regions highlight factors structuring forest extent and fragmentation. ► This method provided a valuable means for quantifying broad-scale forest patterns. ► By reducing data complexity, this method facilitated interpretation of biogeographic data.