Both natural and human systems are heterogeneous in space and dynamic in time. Spatial heterogeneity manifests itself in various patterns across scales. Heterogeneity begets scale, and scale renders heterogeneity. Today’s pattern may result from yesterday’s process. Pattern and process may be related or irrelevant to each other, depending on scale. Modern ecology is replete with important research questions concerning pattern-process-scale relationships, especially in fields such as landscape ecology and spatial ecology. With increasing regional and global environmental challenges to humanity, an “actionable” ecological science not only needs to explicitly consider spatial patterns across scales, but also directly address sustainability issues that are focused on human wellbeing. Thus, a pattern-process-scale-sustainability perspective is much needed.
Results/Conclusions
In this poster presentation, I will present a pattern-process-scale-sustainability perspective, and discuss its conceptual framework and key elements. Base on the framework and my own research in the past three decades, I will ask three important ecological questions: (1) When and how do spatial pattern and ecological processes interact with each other? (2) How do spatial pattern and ecological processes change with scales, or do they “scale” in space? (3) How can biodiversity, ecosystem processes, ecosystem services, and human wellbeing be linked to promote sustainability? Answers to these questions will be presented and discussed through studies conducted in different parts of the world.