Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some thoughts on using a landscape framework to address cumulative impacts on wetland food chain support

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Problems of using food chain support as a functional attribute of a wetland are discussed. It is suggested that primary production may not be the metric that best evaluates food chain support. Environmental constructs of the wetland and resultant habitat variables appear to yield more information on life-support functions. A landscape-oriented approach is derived to separate hierarchically the wet-lands into ecological regions and landscape elements. This classification scheme allows for predetermination of environmental constraints and the possible natural limits of wetland food chain support. It is proposed that models derived from spatial location theory be used to determine the movement of animals from wetland patches experiencing impacts on food chain support. Patch size, distance between patches, habitat diversity, and environmental constraints are incorporated in these models.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Adamus, P. R., and L. T. Stockwell. 1983. A method for wetland functional assessment, vol. I. Critical review and evaluation concepts. US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Report, No. FHWA-IP-82-23. National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Virginia, 176 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adamus, P. R., E. J. Clarain Jr., D. R. Smith, and R. E. Young. 1987. Wetland evaluation technique (WET), vol. 2. Technical Report Y-87, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R. G. 1976. Ecoregions of the United States. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Ogden, Utah, map.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R. G. 1978. Descriptions of ecoregions of the United States. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Ogden, Utah, 78 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R. G. 1985. The factor of scale in ecosystem mapping.Environmental Management 9:271–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, R. G. 1987. Suggested hierarchy of criteria for multiscale ecosystem mapping.Landscape and Urban Planning 14:313–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belova, M. A., and I. M. Raspopov. 1987. Macrophytes and their bacterial decomposition in inland waters (review).Hydrobiological Journal 23(3):1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, C. E. 1968. Freshwater plants: a potential source of protein.Economic Botany 22:359–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradbury, I. K., and J. Grace. 1983. Primary production in wetlands. Pages 285–310in A. J. P. Gore (ed.), Mires: Swamp, bog, fen and moor. General studies. Ecosystems of the world 4A. Elsevier Publishing Co., Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, A. D. 1986. Ecological principles in landscape. Pages 15–36 in A. D. Bradshaw, D. A. Goode, and E. Thorp (eds.), Ecology and design in landscape. 24th Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Blackwell Science Publications, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briand, F. 1983. Biogeographic patterns in food web theory. Pages 28–53in D. L. DeAngelis, W. M. Post, and G. Sugihara (eds.), Current trends in web theory. ORNL-TM 5983. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

    Google Scholar 

  • Briand, F., and J. E. Cohen. 1987. Environmental correlates of food chain length.Science 238:956–960.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brinson, M. M., A. L. Lugo, and S. Brown. 1981. Primary productivity, decomposition and consumer activity in freshwater wetlands.Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 12:123–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetland and deepwater habitats of the United States. Biological Services Program FWSA/ OBS-79/31. US Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC, 103 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forman, R. T. T., and M. Godron. 1986. Landscape ecology. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 619 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Godron, M., and R. T. T. Forman. 1983. Landscape modification and changing ecological characteristics. Pages 12–28in H. A. Mooney and M. Godron (eds.), Disturbance and ecosystems, components of response. Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosselink, J. G., and L. C. Lee. 1987. Cumulative impact assessment of bottomland hardwood forests. LSU-CEI-86-09. Center for Wetland Resources, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 113 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmon, M. E., J. F. Franklin, F. J. Swanson, P. Sollins, S. V. Gregory, J. D. Lattin, N. H. Anderson, S. P. Cline, N. G. Aumen, J. R. Sedell, G. W. Lienkaemper, K. Cromack, and K. W. Cummins. 1986. Ecology of coarse woody debris in temperate ecosystems.Advances in Ecological Research 15:133–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L. D. 1984. The fragmented forest. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 211 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harris, L. D. 1988. The Nature of Cumulative Impacts on Biotic Diversity of Wetland Vertebrates.Environmental Management 12:675–693.

    Google Scholar 

  • Isard, W. 1975. Introduction to regional science. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 506 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Istock, C. A., and S. M. Scheiner. 1987. Affinities and highorder diversity within landscape mosaics.Evolutionary Ecology 1:11–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. W., and J. R. Krummel. 1985. The location theory of animal populations: The case of a spatially uniform food distribution.American Naturalist 126:392–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, D. W., and J. R. Krummel. 1986. Location theory of the nonhuman sector.Annals of the Association of American Geographers. 76:175–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones, K. B., L. P. Kepner, and T. E. Martin. 1985. Species of reptiles occupying habitat islands in western Arizona: A deterministic assemblage.Oecologia (Berlin) 66:595–601.

    Google Scholar 

  • Karr, J. R., K. D. Fausch, P. L. Angermeier, P. R. Yant, and I.J. Schlosser. 1986. Assessing biological integrity in running waters. A method and its rationale. Illinois Natural History Survey Special Publication No. 5. Champaign, Illinois, 28 pp.

  • Klopatek, J. M., and J. T. Kitchings. 1985. A regional technique to address land-use changes and animal habitats.Environmental Conservation 12:343–351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klopatek, J. M., J. T. Kitchings, R. J. Olson, K. D. Kumar, and L. K. Mann. 1981. A hierarchical system for evaluating regional ecological resources.Biological Conservation 20:271–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latka, D. C., and J. W. Yahnke. 1986. Simulating the roosting habitat of sandhill cranes and validating suitability-of-use indices. Pages 19–23in J. Verner, J. L. Morrison, and C. J. Ralph (eds.), Wildlife 2000. University Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur, R. H., and E. O. Wilson. 1967. The theory of island biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey, 203 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, T. E., and J. R. Karr. 1986. Patch utilization by migrating birds: Resource oriented?Ornis Scandinavica 17:165–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minckley, W. L. 1979. Aquatic habitat and fishes of the Lower Colorado River, southwestern United States. Final Report USDI Bureau of Reclamation, Lower Colorado River Region, Boulder City, Nevada, 478 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulholland, P. J. 1981. Organic carbon flow in a swampstream ecosystem.Ecological Monographs 51:307–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naveh, Z., and A. S. Lieberman. 1984. Landscape ecology: Theory and application. Springer-Verlag, New York, 356 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omernik, J. S. 1987. Ecoregions of the United States.Annals of the Association of American Geographers (in press).

  • Onuf, C. P., and M. L. Quammen. 1986. Coastal and riparian wetlands of the Pacific region: The state of knowledge about food chain support. Proceedings of a workshop. National Wetlands Technical Council (draft).

  • Paulov, L. 1974. Control processes in regional analysis. Pages 49–60in I. Bencze and G. Bora (eds.), Regional studies, methods and analyses. Akademiai Kiado, Budapest.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, B. J., R. W. Howarth, and R. H. Garnit. 1985. Multiple stable isotopes used to trace the flow of organic matter in estuarine food chains.Science 227:1361–1363.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pimm, S. L., and J. H. Lawton. 1977. The number of trophic levels in ecological communities.Nature 268:329–331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Platts, W. S., and S. Jensen. 1987. Wetland/riparian ecosystems of the Great Basin Desert and montane region: An overview.In Great Basin/Desert and montane regional wedand functions. Proceedings of a workshop, Logan, Utah. National Wetlands Technical Council (draft).

    Google Scholar 

  • Polunin, N. C. V. 1984. The decomposition of emergent macrophytes in freshwater.Advances in Ecological Research 14:115–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pyke, G. H. 1984. Optimal foraging theory: A critical review.Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 15:523–575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Risser, P. G., J. R. Karr, and R. T. T. Foreman. 1984. Land-scape ecology: Directions and approaches. Illinois National History Survey Special Publication No. 2. Champaign, Illinois, 18 pp.

  • Sather, J. H., and R. D. Smith. 1984. An overview of major wedand hydrologic functions and values. FWS/OBS-84/18. Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, 68 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sather, J. H., and P. J. Ruta Stuber (technical coordinators). 1984. Proceedings of the national wedand values assessment workshop, 23–26 May 1983, Alexandria, Virginia. FWS/OBS-84-12 Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, 100 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schamberger, M. L., and L. J. O'Neil. 1986. Concepts and constraints of habitat-model testing. Pages 5–10in J. Verner, M. L. Morrison, and C. J. Ralph (eds.), Wildlife 2000. University Wisconsin Press, Madison, Wisconsin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W. 1983. Field experiments on interspecific competition.American Naturalist 122:240–285.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoener, T. W., and A. Schoener. 1983. Distributions of vertebrates on some very small islands: I. Patterns in species number.Journal of Animal Ecology 52:209–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, J. M., B. Csuti, J. D. Jacobi, and J. E. Estes. 1987. Species richness. A geographic approach to protecting future biological diversity.BioScience 37:782–788.

    Google Scholar 

  • Short, H. L., and K. P. Burnham. 1982. Technique for structuring wildlife guilds to evaluate impact on wildlife communities. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Scientific Report (Wildlife) No. 22. US Department of the Interior, Washington, DC, 34 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shugart, H. H., Jr. 1984. A theory of forest dynamics. Springer-Verlag, New York, 278 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shugart, H. H., Jr., and T. M. Smith. 1986. Computer models of terrestrial ecosystems. Pages 71–81in M. I. Dyer and D. A. Crossley, Jr. (eds.), Coupling of ecological studies with remote sensing. US Man and the Biosphere Program, Department of State Publication 9504. Washington, DC.

  • Simberloff, D., and L. G. Abele. 1981. Refuge design and island biogeographic theory: Effects of fragmentation.American Naturalist 120:41–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, F. J., T. K. Kratz, N. Caine, and R. G. Wood-mansee. 1988. Landform effects on ecosystem patterns and processes.BioScience 38:92–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, J. W. (ed.). 1979. Wildlife habitats in managed forests of the Blue Mountains of Oregon and Washington. Agriculture Handbook No. 553. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC, 512 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urban, D. L., R. V. O'Neill, and H. H. Shugart, Jr. 1987. Landscape ecology.BioScience 37:119–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • USFS (USDA Forest Service). 1979. RARE II. Final environmental statement. Roadless area review and evaluation. US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, FS-325. Washington, DC, 113 pp. + 24 appendices.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weins, J. A., C. S. Crawford, and J. R. Gosz. 1985. Boundary dynamics: A conceptual framework for studying landscape ecosystems.Oikos 45:421–427.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weller, M. 1978. Management of freshwater marshes for wildlife. Pages 267–284in R. E. Good, D. F. Whigham, and R. L. Simpson (eds.), Freshwater wetlands. Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weller, M. W. 1988. Issues and Approaches in Assessing Cumulative Impacts on Waterbird Habitat in Wetlands.Environmental Management 12:695–701.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, A. G. 1981. Geography and the environment: systems analytical methods. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 297 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Arizona State University, 85287, Tempe, Arizona, USA

    Jeffrey M. Klopatek

Authors
  1. Jeffrey M. Klopatek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Klopatek, J.M. Some thoughts on using a landscape framework to address cumulative impacts on wetland food chain support. Environmental Management 12, 703–711 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01867547

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01867547

Key words

Search

Navigation