Macrosystems ecology: novel methods and new understanding of multi-scale patterns and processes

Abstract

As the global biomes are increasingly threatened by human activities, understanding of macroscale patterns and processes is pressingly needed for effective management and policy making. Macrosystems ecology, which studies multiscale ecologicalpatterns and processes, has gained growing interest in the research community. However, as a relatively new field in ecology, research in macrosystems ecology is facing various challenges. In this special issue, we highlight the following two latestexciting developments in this thriving field: (1) novel tools and methods and (2) new understandings on macroscale patterns and processes. While we believe that the contributions featured in this issue provide promising advancements in macrosystems ecology, we also see multiple challenges for future research including (1) multidisciplinary approaches for longtermand multiscale studies and (2) scaling local patterns and processes to broader scales.

Citation

Fei, Songlin; Guo, Qinfeng; Potter, Kevin. 2016. Macrosystems ecology: novel methods and new understanding of multi-scale patterns and processes. Landscape Ecology, Vol. 31(1): 6 pages.: 1-6.  10.1007/s10980-015-0315-0