The influence of local- and landscape-scale processes on spatial self-organization in estuarine ecosystems

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Johan van de KoppelPeter M J Herman

Abstract

Complexity theory proposes that spatial self-organization, the process whereby small-scale, localized interactions among the components of a system generate complex spatial structures at large spatial scales, explains the formation of autogenic spatial patterns in ecosystems. We question this premise by reviewing three estuarine ecosystems - mussel beds, mudflats and salt marshes - where self-organization has been put forward to explain spatial patterns. Our review highlights that these self-organized estuarine systems are shaped by the combination of small-scale interactions between ecological and physical processes on the one hand, and large-scale physical forcing on the other. More specifically, local interactions generate patchiness at small spatial scales, whereas landscape forcing determines the shape and orientation of these patches in the landscape. We present a framework that illustrates how self-organized ecosystems are shaped by interactions between organisms and physical processes occurring at multiple spatial scales. Moreover, the present review of estuarine systems underlines that scale-dependent feedbacks are capable of explaining spatial patterns that are much more complex than the regular patterns to which they...Continue Reading

References

Jun 12, 1999·Science·C A Klausmeier
May 4, 2004·The American Naturalist·M RietkerkM F P Bierkens
Feb 25, 2005·The American Naturalist·Johan van de KoppelPeter M J Herman
Jun 22, 2005·Oecologia·Joanna C GascoigneMichel J Kaiser
Mar 29, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Matthew L Kirwan, A Brad Murray
Feb 8, 2008·Trends in Ecology & Evolution·Max Rietkerk, Johan van de Koppel
Aug 19, 2008·The American Naturalist·Max RietkerkAndré M de Roos
May 26, 2010·The American Naturalist·Ellen J WeermanPeter M J Herman
Feb 24, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·J Herbert Waite, Christopher C Broomell

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Citations

Feb 24, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·J Herbert Waite, Christopher C Broomell
Nov 6, 2013·Philosophical Transactions. Series A, Mathematical, Physical, and Engineering Sciences·Cristina Da LioMarco Marani
Feb 13, 2013·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Marco MaraniAndrea D'Alpaos
May 21, 2015·Scientific Reports·Andrew M LohrerCasper Kraan
Jan 31, 2020·Ecology Letters·Andrew GonzalezMichel Loreau
Feb 24, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Joshua S MadinSean R Connolly

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