Integrative Ecosystem Spatial Pattern Modelling
Our strategy for ecosystem spatial pattern modelling is summarized as a
conceptual framework. We draw concepts from ecosystem, community, and
landscape ecology, seeking to demonstrate an integrative basis for
predicting the drivers and outcomes of ecosystem assembly. To illustrate
practical application of our framework, we provide a workflow (Figure 1)
based on a case study from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. We showcase
data, analytical procedures, and interpretive guidelines required for
framework operationalization, as they relate to the case study. These
operational considerations are applicable to any predictive spatial
model of regional ecosystem pattern. In that regard, an overarching
objective of our framework is to help catalyze new perspectives and
statistical methods for obtaining general insight into the origin and
implications of ecosystem spatial organization. We begin by summarizing
the conceptual foundation of our framework.