Coupling landscape patterns and ecological processes

Abstract

The relationship between landscape patterns and ecological processes lays the foundation of landscape ecology, and understanding the relationship between them is key to further promoting the study of landscape ecology. This chapter addresses the importance of coupling research on the relationships between landscape patterns and ecological processes. Direct measurement and model simulation are the two basic approaches. Being robust in tapping the in situ measurement data and integrating them with multiple spatial and temporal scale data, ecological models have gradually taken the lead in landscape ecological research. This chapter discusses methodology in analyzing driving, feedback, and coupling relationships between landscape patterns and ecological processes, and explores a 7-step coupling framework on landscape patterns and ecological processes. In particular, the links between landscape patterns and soil erosion processes are addressed at patch, slope, and watershed scales. Finally, we look into the future of the coupling research on landscape patterns and ecological processes as: (1) developing landscape pattern indices reflecting ecological processes; (2) exploring the scale dependence of the relationship between landscape patterns and ecological processes; (3) integrating landscape modeling with long-term ecological research; and (4) strengthening research on the effects of ecological processes on landscape patterns.