Ordination analysis in sedimentology, geochemistry and palaeoenvironment—Background, current trends and recommendations

Ordination is the name given to a group of methods used analyse multiple variables without preceding hypotheses. Over last few decades, use these in Earth science general, and notably analyses sedimentary sources, has dramatically increased. However, with limited resources oriented towards scientists on topic, application ordination analysis at times suboptimal misuse by authors can occur. This text was written for researchers little no experience aim exposing them utility pitfalls this branch exploratory statistics. To do so, detailed review three offered: principal component analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling detrended correspondence analysis. A survey 163 publications presented, which were together summary how, why what type data used. With common mistakes outlined misuses those identified. Notably, issues found reproducibility, documentation, set dimensions transformations. Based survey, recommended workflow offered who wish apply ordination. Additionally, article accompanied highly annotated R scripts novice users methods.