Abstract
The relationship between a landscape process and observed patterns can be rigorously tested only if the expected pattern in the absence of the process is known. We used methods derived from percolation theory to construct neutral landscape models,i.e., models lacking effects due to topography, contagion, disturbance history, and related ecological processes. This paper analyzes the patterns generated by these models, and compares the results with observed landscape patterns. The analysis shows that number, size, and shape of patches changes as a function of p, the fraction of the landscape occupied by the habitat type of interest, and m, the linear dimension of the map. The adaptation of percolation theory to finite scales provides a baseline for statistical comparison with landscape data. When USGS land use data (LUDA) maps are compared to random maps produced by percolation models, significant differences in the number, size distribution, and the area/perimeter (fractal dimension) indices of patches were found. These results make it possible to define the appropriate scales at which disturbance and landscape processes interact to affect landscape patterns.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, T.F.H. and Starr, T.B. 1982. Hierarchy: Perspectives for Ecological Complexity. University of Chicago Press, Chicago
Bormann, F.H. and Likens, G.E. 1979. Catastrophic disturbance and the steady state in northern hardwood forests. Amer Sci., 67: 660–669
Burgess, R.L. and Sharpe, D.M. (eds.) 1981. Forest Island Dynamics in Man-Dominated Landscapes. Springer Verlag, New York.
Burrough, P.A. 1983. Multiscale sources of spatial variation in soil. The application of fractal concepts to nested levels of soil variation. J. Soil Sci. 34: 577–597.
Caswell, H. 1976. Community structure: a neutral model analysis. Ecol. Monogr. 46: 327–354.
Fegas, R.G., Claire, R.W., Guptill, S.C., Andersons K.E. and Hallam, C.A. 1983. Land use and land cover digital data. Geological Survey Circular 895-E, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia
Forman, R.T.T. and Godron, M. 1986. Landscape Ecology. John Wiley & Sons, New York
Gefen, Y., Aharony, A. and Alexander, S. 1983. Anomalous diffusion on percolating clusters. Physical Rev. Lett. 50: 77–80.
Krummel, J.R., Gardner, R.H., Sugihara, G., O'Neill, R.V. and Coleman, P.R. 1987. Landscape patterns in a disturbed environment. Oikos 48: 321–324.
Mandelbrot, B.B. 1983. The fractal geometry of nature. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Meentemeyer, V. and Box, E.O. 1987. Scale effects in landscape studies.In Landscape Heterogeneity and Disturbance. pp. 15–33. Edited by M.G. Turner. Springer Verlag, New York.
Milne, B.T. In press, (a). Hierarchical Landscape Structure and the Forest Planning Model: Discussant's Comments. U.S. Forest Forest Service.
Milne, B.T. In press, (b). Measuring the fractal geometry of landscapes. Applied Mathematics and Computation.
Orbach, R. 1986. Dynamics of fractal networks. Science 231: 814–819.
Pickett, S.T.A. and White, P.S. 1985. The Ecology of Natural Disturbance and Patch Dynamics. Academic Press, Orlando, Florida.
Shugart, H.H. and West, D.C. 1981. Long-term dynamics of forest systems. Amer. Sci. 69: 647–652.
Stauffer, D. 1985. Introduction to percolation theory. Taylor and Francis, London.
Turner, M.G. 1987a. Land use changes and net primary production in the Georgia, USA, Landscape: 1935–82. Environ. Manage. 11: 237–247.
Turner, M.G., ed. 1987b. Landscape Heterogeneity and Disturbance. Springer Verlag, New York.
Whittaker, R. H. 1975. Communities and Ecosystems. MacMillan Publishing Company, New York.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gardner, R.H., Milne, B.T., Turnei, M.G. et al. Neutral models for the analysis of broad-scale landscape pattern. Landscape Ecol 1, 19–28 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02275262
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02275262