Dynamic Terrestrial Ecosystem Patterns and Processes

Abstract

Ecological assessments often begin with the inventory of a site’s biological resources and culminate in the generation of a static, two-dimensional map or other fixed report of present site conditions. Using this approach, we may fail to appreciate the short- and long-term dynamics of the populations and ecosystems that we are assessing. Spatial and temporal dynamics of patterns and processes are important to consider for at least three reasons. First, the very resources we assess may be changing, with consequences for the conclusions of the assessment itself. Second, the dynamics have implications for whether and under what conditions the populations and ecosystems are sustainable on the site of interest. Finally, key processes may occur at broader spatial scales or on longer temporal scales than we would otherwise consider in the assessment; that is, the populations and communities at one site may be attributed in part to the spatial context surrounding that site or the occurrence of rare past events. In essence, the processes responsible for the biological resources on the site may themselves not be contained within the site being assessed, and the resources may not be in balance with current site processes. Overlooking the effects of dynamic patterns and processes can therefore lead to misinterpretations of observations and erroneous conclusions concerning a given site’s condition and functional nature.