Landscape EcologyLandscape Ecology(EEES4760 & EEES6760)(EEES4760 & EEES6760)

DES, University of Toledo, Spring 2009DES, University of Toledo, Spring 2009

InstructorInstructor: : Dr. Jiquan Chen, Ph: 530-2664; Dr. Jiquan Chen, Ph: 530-2664; E-mail: E-mail: jiquan.chen@utoledo.edu

Please email me for any comments and additional suggestions for Please email me for any comments and additional suggestions for your future endeavors in landscape study!your future endeavors in landscape study!

Guest Lecs: Guest Lecs: Ranjeet John & Nan LuRanjeet John & Nan LuClass webClass web: : http://research.eeescience.utoledo.edu/lees/teaching/eees4760_09/

Overview: from theory to applicationsOverview: from theory to applications

Landscape ecology has been featured with patch-corridor-matrix Landscape ecology has been featured with patch-corridor-matrix dogma -- a landscape is composed of multiple ecosystems. It is dogma -- a landscape is composed of multiple ecosystems. It is theorized that new structural and functional features would theorized that new structural and functional features would emerge when >2 ecosystems are placed togetheremerge when >2 ecosystems are placed together

Chen & Saunders 2006

The Patch-Corridor-Matrix FrameworkThe Patch-Corridor-Matrix Framework-- N. American View of landscapes ---- N. American View of landscapes --

Landscape (Ecosystems)

Or

(Ecosystems) Landscape

Why?

climate

landforms

multidisciplinary

applied

pattern-process relationships

broad scales

ecosystem interactions

mass and energy flows

multiple ecosystems

biota environment

Ecology

Ecosystem Science

Landscape Ecology

BBiioo-- VViieeww GGeeoo-- VViieeww spatial earth processes

Geography/Geoscience

Understanding a landscapeUnderstanding a landscape

Are we satisfied with Are we satisfied with this product?this product?

Understanding a landscapeUnderstanding a landscape

Is this structure of the landscape Is this structure of the landscape interesting and how was it created?interesting and how was it created?

Understanding a landscapeUnderstanding a landscape

Is this structure of the landscape Is this structure of the landscape interesting and how was it created?interesting and how was it created?

Understanding a landscapeUnderstanding a landscape

Can we create a Can we create a similar landscape similar landscape structure?structure?

What impacts can this What impacts can this structure have?structure have?

Understanding a landscapeUnderstanding a landscape

Chen & Saunders 2006

Landscape StructureLandscape Structure: patch-corridor-edge-matrix framework (FRAGSTATS, Fractals, Wavelet, Semivariance/Kriging, etc.)

• Patch Patterns• Edges and AEI• Roads and Streams• Fragmentations

Landscape ProcessLandscape Process: movements of materials, energy and species across landscape

Landscape DynamicsLandscape Dynamics: change over time

Landscape ModelsLandscape Models: HARVEST, Neutral Model, Moose, Tree2.0, LANDIS, etc.

Landscape ManagementLandscape Management: mimicking natural processes and arrange land mosaics in time and space

Landscape AnalysisLandscape Analysis:

• FRAGSTAT• Remote Sensing

Pattern-Process RelationshipsPattern-Process Relationships:

• Fire and land mosaics• Species and structure (e.g., invasions)• Water and carbon• Gene flow and structure (not covered)• Landscape production

Landscape is an area that is spatially heterogeneous in at least one factor of interest.

 Landscape Ecology emphasizes the interaction between spatial pattern and ecological processes — that is, the causes and consequences of spatial heterogeneity across a range of scales (Turner et al. 2000) .

•Not a science

•Broader scales (mostly spatial)

•Multiple ecosystems, their spatial arrangement and interactions

•Applied scientific discipline

•Multidisciplinary

Tress et al. (2005)

The process of generating new knowledge comes full circle only when scientific understanding has been integrated into management and lessons from application are transferred back to validate or inform research studies. It is through this complete process that theories emerge.

Circle of Knowledge CreationCircle of Knowledge Creation

Process dynamics in general

Edge influences theory

Advancing landscape ecology by developing Advancing landscape ecology by developing sound sound theories, principles, and applicationstheories, principles, and applications

Silbernagel et al. (2006)

Scaling - based on examples in this book

Silbernagel et al. (2007)

Advancing landscape ecology by developing Advancing landscape ecology by developing sound sound theories, principles, and applicationstheories, principles, and applications

Landscape experimentation (based on CNNF studies)

Is there a barrier here?

Silbernagel et al. (2007)

Advancing landscape ecology by developing Advancing landscape ecology by developing sound sound theories, principles, and applicationstheories, principles, and applications

Modeling & visualization - methods have led to progress in science

Moving toward application

Silbernagel et al. (2007)

Advancing landscape ecology by developing Advancing landscape ecology by developing sound sound theories, principles, and applicationstheories, principles, and applications

Research application & transfer - strong in this area

Weaker in theory development & progress in science

Silbernagel et al. (in press)

Take Home MessagesTake Home Messages

• Long-term commitmentLong-term commitment

• Persistent efforts for a landscape studyPersistent efforts for a landscape study

• Wiliness to collaborateWiliness to collaborate

• Readiness for any opportunityReadiness for any opportunity

Advancing landscape ecology by developing Advancing landscape ecology by developing sound sound theories, principles, and applicationstheories, principles, and applications

Landscape EcologyLandscape EcologyA Necessity Science in Environmental StudiesA Necessity Science in Environmental Studies

N. WisconsinN. Wisconsin N. Inner MongoliaN. Inner Mongolia

ColoradoColorado S. Santiago, ChileS. Santiago, Chile DenverDenver IdahoIdaho