Comparative Review of 62 Spatial Interpolation Methods

51 comparative studies on spatial interpolation performance in environmental sciences are summarized, comparing 62 methods and sub-methods. The review, produced by the Australian Ocean Data Network, quantifies impacts using data from 77 cases and classifies 26 methods based on their features. It was last updated in April 2026.

Use Cases

• Selecting an interpolation method based on data availability and nature using the provided decision tree.
• Comparing the performance of non-geostatistical, geostatistical, and combined interpolators across 51 studies.
• Analyzing the quantified impact of sample density, data variation, and sampling design from 77 case studies.
• Clustering 26 methods based on quantified features to understand relationships among spatial interpolators.

Strengths

• Summarizes findings from 51 comparative studies on method performance.
• Compares 62 distinct methods and sub-methods.
• Quantifies factor impacts using data from 77 specific cases.
• Provides a classified overview of 26 methods with a feature-based decision tree.

Limitations

• No raw dataset or sample data is provided, only a review document.
• The underlying data from the 77 cases is not included for direct analysis.
• The document format (PDF/HTML) limits computational reuse of the compared results.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network

Collection Method

Literature review and synthesis of existing comparative studies.

Freshness

Updated April 2026.