A hierarchical approach to ecosystems and its implications for ecological land classification

Abstract

A hierarchical paradigm may help to better understand patterns of ecosystems. In this article we present and argue a framework for hierarchical ecosystem classification and mapping. It is based on a hierarchical model of an ecosystem fully incorporating abiotic components. We propose a nomenclature for hierarchical ecosystem classification based on common practice in ecological land classification and considerations on comprehensiveness which is inspired on and closely follows the Canadian terminology, but incorporating some frequently used European concepts. The relation between classification characteristics and the spatial and temporal hierarchy of ecosystem components is discussed. We exemplify that the approach is particularly valuable as a comprehensive tool for scientific analyses on behalf of environmental policy.

Effects of Disturbance on Sandy Coastal Ecosystems of N-Adriatic Coasts (Italy)

“…The increasing attention to biodiversity conservation and natural resources management has reawakened the interest in ecosystem classification and mapping, mostly focusing on flexible and vertical, namely hierarchical, methods (Acosta et al, 2005;Klijn & Udo de Haes 1994;Matson & Power, 1996;Zonneveld, 1995), which can help dealing with the complex and dynamic nature of ecosystems providing instruments to refer to any functional unit at any scale depending on the problem being addressed.…”

Multiscale and Hierarchical Classification for Benthic Habitat Mapping

“…There have also been a number of studies, primarily terrestrial, that have examined the effects of hierarchical classifications on habitat prediction [33,35,36]. In this study, we tested both hierarchical and environmental variable scale in a marine environment, using MBES and terrain derivatives, and demonstrate their importance in developing statistical relationships between observations and geophysical products to create benthic habitat maps.…”

“…Since ecosystems are structured hierarchically, using a hierarchical approach when classifying thematic habitat maps is a logical path. Previous studies have discussed the benefits of habitat modelling using hierarchical approaches [33,35,36] (e.g., aggregating smaller classes into higher levels, mapping at various levels based on the scale and size of the map to suit user needs), but few studies have done so [33], especially in the marine environment. Bock et al [37] investigated two terrestrial case studies that compared classification performance at different hierarchical levels.…”

Conservation Crossroads and the Role of Hierarchy in the Decision-Making Process

“…As stated in the Principle of Subsidiarity in many national laws (Esain 2009), local consensus is essential to implement conservation goals on the ground, but it should never be opposed to global priorities, especially because this opposition puts the functioning of the ecosystem at risk. Given the hierarchical structure of nature (Bailey 1987;Klijn & Udo de Haes 1994;Monjeau et al 1998), in which upper components (climate, geology) influence the features and functioning of the lower components (soil, vegetation), most of the ecological systems and their interactions are not Are We "the World"?…”