g i、尺度与景观生态学（ g i s, scale,and landscape ecology）.docVIP

GIS, Scale, and Landscape Ecology Jonathan Luk Landscape Ecology Landscape ecology is the study of pattern and structure across dynamic temporal and spatial scales. Patterns are created through biotic and abiotic processes and disturbances that occur within the environment. As changes throughout a landscape occur, the overall structure of ecological communities is affected, and thus revealing the need for landscape-level studies. According to Turner, landscape structure must be identified and quantified…before interactions between landscape patterns and ecological processes can be understood (1989).” In order to understand landscapes, ecologists must be able to recognize the patterns that are created along both spatial and temporal scales. However, the ability to recognize and understand these patterns becomes more difficult to accomplish due to scale-related constraints. There are several theories and techniques that can be employed in allowing us to understand landscapes. Since landscapes are very much dependent upon spatial and temporal patterns, the scale of such patterns must be considered (Turner, 1989). In addition, the relatively recent developments of many techniques such as landscape models and metrics give ecologists the ability to examine spatial and temporal patterns. The dynamic processes that take place at spatial and temporal scales are of importance to landscape ecology as the main causes of landscape patterns. The significance of addressing scale using these techniques are vital to many ecological studies, including landscape ecology, restoration ecology, and conservation ecology. The following will be a discussion of the advancements that have been made in landscape ecology through the applications of scale theory and one method, the geographic information system (GIS). GIS and Landscape Ecology In brief, a GIS is essentially a tool that may be used to store, manipulate, analyze, and display spatial data (Longley et. al, 2001). Th