Landscape Ecology: Coupling of Pattern, Process, and Scale

Key words: 
• landscape ecology /
• pattern and process /
• scale /
• integrated model /
• regional synthesis research

Abstract: Landscape ecology provides new theoretical frameworks and methodologies for understanding complex ecological phenomena at multiple scales. Studies of landscape ecology focus on understanding the dynamics of ecological patterns and processes, and highlight the integration of multiple disciplines. In this paper, we discussed the problems and challenges that landscape ecology is currently facing, emphasizing the limitations of current methods used to describe dynamic landscape patterns and processes. We suggested that the focus should be on the integration of ground-based observation, mobile monitoring, transect survey, and remote-sensing monitoring, as well as improved coupling of experimental and model simulations. In addition, we outlined the research frontiers in landscape ecology, including scaling, integrated pattern and process modeling, and regional synthesis. Lastly, a brief review of pattern-process-scale coupling studies in China was provided. We concluded by pointing out that pattern-process-scale interactions, correlations between natural, economic, and social processes, and the coupling of human and natural systems will be major research areas in landscape ecology in the future.