Landscape ecology; The effect of pattern on process

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.20.110189.001131· OSTI ID:5203536

Turner, M G ^[1]

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1. Environmental Sciences Div., Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN (US)

Consideration of spatial dynamics in many areas of ecology has received increased attention during the past decade. For example, the role of disturbance in creating and maintaining a spatial mosaic in the rocky intertidal zone was studied. Patch size could be predicted very well by using a model based on past patterns of disturbance and on measured patterns of mussel movement and recruitment. The dynamics of many natural disturbances and their effects on the spatial mosaic have received considerable study in a variety of terrestrial and aquatic systems. This paper demonstrates that a long history of ecological studies provides a basis for the study of spatial patterns and landscape-level processes. However, the emphasis previously was on describing the processes that created the patterns observed in the biota. The explicit effects of spatial patterns on ecological processes have not been well studied; the emphasis on pattern and process is what differentiates landscape ecology from other ecological disciplines. Therefore, this review focuses on the characterization of landscape patterns and their effects on ecological processes.

• OSTI ID: 5203536
• Journal Information: Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics; (United States), Journal Name: Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics; (United States) Vol. 20; ISSN ARECB; ISSN 0066-4162
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ECOLOGY
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
HAZARDS
LANDSCAPING