Simulating the effects of anthropogenic disturbances in landscape patches: An application in North Portugal

Abstract

A simple methodology was applied with the purpose of understanding the effects of anthropogenic disturbances in the biodiversity of landscape patches, namely by using Soil Surface Dwelling Arthropods as relevant indicators in changing scenarios. The goal of the present paper is to apply and extend the above academic concepts to landscape management, and to demonstrate the potential of a Stochastic Dynamic Methodology in implementing the respective actions. Since many of the ecosystem phenomenological aspects are the result of whole-system properties, the main purpose of the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology is to promote a mechanistic understanding of the holistic ecological processes, based on statistical parameter estimation methods. In this perspective, the proposed protocol is compatible with most activities undertaken by conventional ecological science, i.e., pattern seeking, the ability to explain past and present states, and the ability to predict future states. Additionally, in contexts relating to landscape management, the results of the Stochastic Dynamic Methodology applied to monitoring and restoration activities are intuitive and can be easily communicated to non-experts (ranging from students to resource users and senior policy makers). © 2011, ALÖKI Kft., Budapest, Hungary.