Grantee Research Project Results
2003 Progress Report: A Hierarchical Patch Dynamics Approach to Regional Modeling and Scaling
EPA Grant Number: R827676Title: A Hierarchical Patch Dynamics Approach to Regional Modeling and Scaling
Investigators: Wu, Jianguo
Current Investigators: Wu, Jianguo , Green, Douglas
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, 2002 through October 14, 2003
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 objective of this research project is to explore the scaling relations for landscape pattern when it is measured over a range of scales (grain size and extent). Landscape pattern is spatially correlated and scale dependent. Thus, understanding landscape structure and functioning requires multiscale information, and scaling functions are the most precise and concise way of quantifying multiscale characteristics explicitly.
Progress Summary:
The results of our study showed that the responses of landscape metrics to changing scale fell into two categories when computed at the class level (i.e., for individual land cover types): (1) simple scaling functions; and (2) unpredictable behavior. Similarly, three categories were found at the landscape level, with the third being staircase pattern, in a previous study when all land cover types were combined together. In general, scaling relations were more variable at the class level than at the landscape level, and were more consistent and predictable with changing grain size than with changing extent at both levels. Considering that the landscapes under study were quite diverse in terms of both composition and configuration, these results seem robust. This study highlights the need for multiscale analysis to adequately characterize and monitor landscape heterogeneity, and provides insights into the scaling of landscape patterns.
Spatial scaling provides an indispensable basis for understanding how landscapes are structured, how they function, and how they change over time. Scaling also is crucial for successful interdisciplinary research and environmental problem solving. However, spatial heterogeneity, nonlinearity, feedbacks, and hierarchical linkages make scaling often formidable. We have reviewed the two general types of scaling approaches dominant in ecology and related earth sciences: dynamic model-based and similarity-based scaling approaches. From our own study and a number of other studies, we conclude that there is no universal scaling law for complex landscapes. Thus, it is critical to find an appropriate scaling method or a proper combination of scaling methods for different types of ecological problems.
Future Activities:
We will continue to explore the scaling relations for landscape pattern when it is measured over a range of scales (grain size and extent).
Journal Articles on this Report : 4 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 73 publications | 44 publications in selected types | All 33 journal articles |
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Berling-Wolff S, Wu J. Modeling urban landscape dynamics: a review. Ecological Research 2004;19(1):119-129. |
R827676 (2003) R827676 (Final) |
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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) |
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Shao GF, We WC, Wu G, Zhou XH, Wu JG. An explicit index for assessing the accuracy of cover-class areas. Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing 2003;69(8):907-913. |
R827676 (2003) R827676 (Final) |
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Wu J. Effects of changing scale on landscape pattern analysis: scaling relations. Landscape Ecology 2004;19(2):125-138. |
R827676 (2003) R827676 (Final) |
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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 useRelevant Websites:
http://leml.asu.edu/EPASTAR-Proj/ Exit
http://LEML.asu.edu/ Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe 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.