Ecological boundaries at different scales: testing the moving split window analysis using artificial and field data

• Autorzy: Erdos L. , Batori Z. , Morschhauser T. , Kormoczi L.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Scale-dependency is one of the well-known features of ecological boundaries. Unfortunately, there are relatively few case studies analysing boundaries of different scales. Moreover, properties of moving split window (MSW) technique, a method potentially suitable for examining boundaries at several spatial scales, are not fully understood. In this study, we used artificial data sets to test the capacities and limitations of the MSW method. We also applied field data from the Mecsek Mts (Hungary) (611 m a.s.l.) in order to reveal possible boundaries at different scales and to contribute to the knowledge on vegetation pattern of mountain areas. We found that one should apply several window-widths when using MSW, since this is the only way to detect and differentiate between boundaries of different scales. Our study revealed the vegetation pattern of Mt Tubes: there is a series of continuously intergrading mesic communities on the northern slope, while the southern slope is occupied by a mosaic of different xeric communities. In this pattern, boundaries of two different scales have been identified. We conclude that MSW could effectively be used in similar mountain regions to analyse herb layer vegetation patterns and boundaries.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

ecological boundary; moving split window; mountain area; gradient; edge detection; landscape ecology; nature conservation; squared Euclidean distance; Mecsek Mountains

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Polish Journal of Ecology
• Rocznik: 2013
• Tom: 61
• Numer: 2
• Opis fizyczny: p.319-328,fig.,ref.

Twórcy

autor

Erdos L.

• Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, H–6726 Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, Hungary

autor

Batori Z.

• Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, H–6726 Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, Hungary

autor

Morschhauser T.

• Department of Plant Taxonomy and Geobotany, University of Pecs, H–7624 Pecs, Ifjusag utja 6, Hungary

autor

Kormoczi L.

• Department of Ecology, University of Szeged, H–6726 Szeged, Kozep fasor 52, Hungary

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