Morphometric analysis of phytoliths: recommendations towards standardization from the International Committee for Phytolith Morphometrics

Morphometric analysis (measurements of size and shape) has become a significant research tool in phytolith studies. The International Phytolith Society (IPS) appointed the International Committee for Phytolith Morphometrics (ICPM) to establish methodological standards for the discipline. This paper presents current recommendations of the ICPM. It discusses the role of morphometric analysis in phytolith studies and recommends a paradigm for its application, criteria for data collection and publication, definitions for basic measurements and software for computer-assisted image analysis.