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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #213043
Title: Boundary dynamics in landscapes

Author
item Peters, Debra
item GOSZ, JAMES - NSF
item COLLINS, SCOTT - UNIV. OF NEW MEXICO

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/8/2007
Publication Date: 8/1/2009
Citation: Peters, D.C., Gosz, J., Collins, S. 2009. Boundary dynamics in landscapes. In: Levin, S.A., editor. The Princeton Guide to Ecology. Princeton, NJ:Princeton University Press. p. 458-463.

Interpretive Summary: Three major types of boundary dynamics that differ in the direction and rate of movement of the boundary in response to climatic fluctuations: stationary, directional, shifting. Future conditions in climate and the disturbance regime, including land use, may fundamentally alter the type of boundary as well as its location and composition through time.

Technical Abstract: Landscapes consist of a mosaic of distinct vegetation types and their intervening boundaries with distinct characteristics. Boundaries can exist along abrupt environmental gradients or along gradual changes that are reinforced by feedback mechanisms between plants and soil properties. Boundaries can be defined based on the abundance, spatial distribution, and connectivity of the underlying patches. There are three major types of boundary dynamics that differ in the direction and rate of movement of the boundary in response to climatic fluctuations: stationary, directional, shifting. Future conditions in climate and the disturbance regime, including land use, may fundamentally alter the type of boundary as well as its location and composition through time.