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Grantee Research Project Results

2001 Progress Report: A Hierarchical Patch Dynamics Approach to Regional Modeling and Scaling

EPA Grant Number: R827676
Title: A Hierarchical Patch Dynamics Approach to Regional Modeling and Scaling
Investigators: Wu, Jianguo , Green, Douglas
Institution: Arizona State University
Current Institution: Arizona State University - West
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 15, 1999 through October 14, 2002
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 15, 2000 through October 14, 2001
Project Amount: $629,540
RFA: Regional Scale Analysis and Assessment (1999) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Ecological Indicators/Assessment/Restoration

Objective:

The major objectives of this research project are to: (1) develop and test a hierarchical patch dynamics modeling and scaling approach to regional analysis and assessment by linking ecosystem processes to land use and land cover change; and (2) develop an understanding of how urbanization and related land use and land cover change affect ecosystem production and carbon and nitrogen dynamics at the regional scale.

Progress Summary:

Results from landscape analysis and modeling indicate: (1) with increasing urbanization since 1912, the Phoenix landscape has increased dramatically in the diversity of land cover types, patch density, edge density, and structural complexity–these changes are closely correlated with human population increase in this region; (2) landscape metrics can be used with a gradient analysis approach to quantify urbanization patterns, which can be related to ecological variables; and (3) structural aspects of landscapes show three types of changes in response to a changing scale (grain and extent) of observation (or analysis).

Understanding these responses is important for the development of effective spatial scaling rules:

• Type I: Metrics showing predictable changes and simple scaling relationships. The response curves of these metrics show consistent, unique general scaling relationships across landscapes. Therefore, extrapolation and interpolation of Type I metrics across different extents can be done simply and accurately based on a few data points.

• Type II: Metrics showing staircase-like responses. The response curves of these metrics do not show unique simple scaling relationships, but some general patterns across landscapes are identifiable. In contrast with Type I metrics, the values of Type II metrics at different extents cannot be accurately predicted based on only a few data points.

• Type III (Extent): Metrics showing erratic responses. The response curves of these metrics do not show consistent patterns across different landscapes. As a result, general scaling functions seem impossible to derive. Thus, the extrapolation or interpolation of these metrics must explicitly consider the spatial structure of the landscapes of study, which must be done a posteriori, not a priori.

Future Activities:

We will continue to perform analyses and modeling, as we further our developments of hierarchical patch modeling and scaling to more accurately assess current data in relation to newly discovered information in respect to ecosystem processes, land use, and land cover change.


Journal Articles on this Report : 6 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views: All 73 publications 44 publications in selected types All 33 journal articles
Publications
Type Citation Project Document Sources
Journal Article Fagan WF, Meir E, Carroll SS, Wu J. The ecology of urban landscapes: modeling housing starts as a density-dependent colonization process. Landscape Ecology 2001;16(1):33-39. R827676 (2001)
R827676 (Final)
  • Abstract: SpringerLink
    Exit
  • Journal Article Gao Q, Yu M, Yang X, Wu J. Scaling simulation models for spatially heterogeneous ecosystems with diffusive transportation. Landscape Ecology 2001;16(4):289-300. R827676 (2001)
    R827676 (Final)
  • Abstract: SpringerLink
    Exit
  • Journal Article Jenerette GD, Wu J. Analysis and simulation of land-use change in the central Arizona-Phoenix region, USA. Landscape Ecology 2001;16(7):611-626. R827676 (2000)
    R827676 (2001)
    R827676 (Final)
  • Full-text: Arizona State University PDF
    Exit
  • Abstract: SpringerLink
    Exit
  • Journal Article Luck MA, Jenerette GD, Wu JG, Grimm NB. The urban funnel model and spatially heterogeneous ecological footprint. Ecosystems 2001;4(8):782-796. R827676 (2001)
    not available
    Journal Article Musacchio LR, Wu J. Collaborative landscape-scale ecological research: emerging trends in urban and regional ecology. Urban Ecosystems 2004;7(3):175-178. R827676 (2000)
    R827676 (2001)
    R827676 (2002)
    R827676 (2003)
    R827676 (Final)
  • Full-text: Arizona State University-Full Text PDF
    Exit
  • Abstract: Springer-Citation
    Exit
  • Journal Article Wu J, David JL. A spatially explicit hierarchical approach to modeling complex ecological systems: theory and applications. Ecological Modeling 2002;153(1-2):7-26. R827676 (2001)
    R827676 (2002)
    R827676 (Final)
  • Full-text: Science Direct-Full Text PDF
    Exit
  • Abstract: Science Direct-Abstract and Full Text HTML
    Exit
  • Other: Arizona State University-Full Text PDF
    Exit
  • Supplemental Keywords:

    land, soil, urban, stressors, ecosystem, regionalization, scaling, terrestrial, habitat, integrated assessment, sustainable development, ecology, modeling, Landsat, remote sensing, field measurements, southwest, agriculture, urbanization., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, Geographic Area, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecology, Ecosystem Protection, Environmental Chemistry, climate change, State, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Environmental Monitoring, Regional/Scaling, ecological exposure, scaling, urbanization, hierarchical patch dynamics, spatial scale, functional complexity, modeling, anthropogenic, Arizona (AZ), ecosystem, agriculture, regional survey data, remote sensing imagery, field measurements, land use

    Progress and Final Reports:

    Original Abstract
  • 2000 Progress Report
  • Final Report
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    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

    Project Research Results

    • Final Report
    • 2000 Progress Report
    • Original Abstract
    73 publications for this project
    33 journal articles for this project

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