Macroecology
The Macroecology is a field of ecology , which explores the emergent pattern and mechanisms statistically large data sets "organic particles" (types, features, style communities, landscape sections, time series). These occur frequently, but not exclusively, on large spatial and temporal scales. Macroecology is increasingly working with a large-scale approach and examines the respective research object (e.g. animals, plants, people, landscapes) with statistical means with regard to distribution, frequency and diversity. The distribution properties of organisms and biodiversity patterns in a global context are often the focus of interest.
Discipline history
The term Macroecology was introduced in a 1989 paper by James Brown of the University of New Mexico and Brian Maurer of Michigan State University . In terms of content, macroecology already has a long tradition, which can also be traced back to Humboldt's research. Macroecology as a discipline of ecology emerged in the mid-1990s when computer and software innovations and ever better geographical information systems became available. In addition, access to global databases has been made easier. Dealing with global biodiversity gave rise to new questions, such as the distribution of species on a global scale and urgent problems of nature conservation. The analyzes often move on a continental or global level.
Macroecological approaches can be found u. a. in landscape ecology , biology , geography , ecosystem research and environmental sciences . The macroecology area, which is mainly dealt with in Germany, is closely linked to biogeography . Internationally, the field is much broader and a. physiological, morphological or ecological the properties are examined across many species independently of distribution patterns. In the Society for Ecology , macroecological scientists in German-speaking countries are grouped together in their own working group. In Germany, macroecology received a great boost in 2004 with the establishment of a virtual institute of the Helmholtz Association.
In the German-speaking area, the two related areas of biogeography and macroecology currently exist more or less symbiotically side by side. The more recent macroecology has its roots more in the organismic-ecological area, while the biogeography has grown out of the classical physical geography and is at home there.
Methods
Data sets with abiotic and biotic factors are used for macroecological studies. With the help of geographic information systems and statistical programs, a. Statements made about the spreading pattern, density and possible hazard. Scenarios are also simulated with the help of ecological modeling. For large-scale analyzes, remote sensing data ( Landsat , SPOT , satellites of the ESA Earth Explorer Missions ) are used and partially analyzed using OBIA tools (Object-based image analysis) .
Various algorithms of clusters for cluster analyzes (hierarchical cluster analysis) and multilevel taxon analyzes enable the necessary degree of abstraction for global analyzes.
Significance and social impact
Macroecological approaches help to understand global, continental and regional changes in nature and the environment and to assess their effects. Internationally active organizations involved in development cooperation, sustainable development and nature and biodiversity protection use the methods of macroecology and incorporate their results into their research.
Conservation International includes macroecological results in its planning for the global conservation of biodiversity .
Current issues
- Predictions of how biodiversity will change when an island grows (e.g. after volcanic eruptions) or when it goes under (due to rising sea levels).
- Shifting vegetation boundaries in the northern hemisphere.
See also
- Ecography , a trade journal
literature
- Lang, Blascke: Landscape analysis with GIS. Ulmer Verlag UTB
- Gaston, KJ and TM Blackburn. 2000. Pattern and Process in Macroecology . Blackwell Science. ISBN 0-632-05653-3
- Brown, JH and Brian A. Maurer. 1989. Macroecology: The division of food and space among species on continents. Science 243: 1145-1150
- Brown, JH 1995. Macroecology . University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-07614-8
Web links
- Global Ecology and Biogeography - important international journal
- Ecography
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b James H. Brown. 2005: Macroecology . University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-07614-8
- ↑ "WE BUILD ON REASON" ( Memento of the original from October 29, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
