Publication
Title
Ecotones in vegetation ecology: methodologies and definitions revisited
Author
Abstract
In this review paper, we highlight some of the trends and issues that have dominated ecotone research over the decade of 19962006. The terms and definitions of ecotone research in vegetation ecology are reviewed. We summarize the most important techniques and highlight the discrepancies between the definitions and their scientific application in vegetation ecology. We see a need for semantic uniformity with regard to the term and the definition of the ecotone, as the variable and the non-exclusive use of terms and definitions can be a source of confusion when interpreting and comparing different studies. To avoid further confusion, a unique definition of the term ecotone should be agreed upon, based upon a set of general characteristics. We therefore adapted and extended the definition from Holland et al. (Ecotones: the role of landscape boundaries in the management and restoration of changing environments, 1991) to A multi-dimensional environmentally stochastic interaction zone between ecological systems with characteristics defined in space and time, and by the strength of the interaction. We also advocate that (1) a shift in focus from one-dimensional to two-dimensional techniques in ecotone characterization is desirable and (2) more research into novel techniques, including multi-dimensional data and time series, is needed in view of local and global ecotone changes.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Ecological research. - Madrid
Publication
Madrid : 2009
ISSN
0912-3814 [print]
1440-1703 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S11284-009-0584-7
Volume/pages
24 :5 (2009) , p. 977-986
ISI
000270837200005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 30.11.2009
Last edited 25.05.2022
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