Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas pp 7–32Cite as

Spatial Pattern Analysis as a Focus of Landscape Ecology to Support Evaluation of Human Impact on Landscapes and Diversity

  • Chapter

Abstract

The relation between landscape patterns and ecological processes forms a central hypothesis of landscape ecology. Three types of pattern analysis to assess anthropogenic impacts on landscape ecosystems and biodiversity are presented in this chapter. Firstly, the results of an analysis of Acanthaceae data in Central Africa are presented and compared with phytogeographic theories. Phytogeography data reflect the spatial variability of plant diversity, and constitute therefore a major tool in conservation policy development. We investigated if it was possible to proxy the phytogeographic classifications by the spatial distribution of Acanthaceae only. When combined with a classic landscape pattern analysis, this type of study could provide complementary information for the definition of conservation priorities. Secondly, we present an analysis of periodic vegetations in the Sudan. It can be accepted that through an understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the formation of this unique pattern geometry, the knowledge with regard to the functioning and vulnerability of these ecosystems can be deepened. Using high-resolution remote sensing imagery and digital elevation models, the relation between pattern symmetry and slope gradient was explored. In particular, slope gradients that could condition the transition between spotted and tiger bush pattern types were focused. The influence of other sources of anisotropy was also considered. Finally, a complementary approach to the calculation of landscape metrics to analyse landscape pattern is described, using the spatial processes themselves causing landscape transformation. Landscape ecologists agree that there appears to be a limited number of common spatial configurations that can result from land transformation processes. Ten processes of landscape transformation are considered: aggregation, attrition, creation, deformation, dissection, enlargement, fragmentation, perforation, shift, and shrinkage. A decision tree is presented that enables definition of the transformation process involved using patch-based data. This technique can help landscape managers to refine their description of landscape dynamics and will assist them in identifying the drivers of landscape transformation

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aguiar, M.R. and Sala, O.E. (1999). Patch structure, dynamics and implications for the functioning of arid ecosystems. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 14, 273-277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. (1994). Area and endemism. Quarterly Review of Biology, 69, 451-471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antrop, M. (2001). The language of landscape ecologists and planners – A comparative content analysis of concepts used in landscape ecology. Landscape and Urban Planning, 55, 163-173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barbier, N., Couteron, P., Lejoly, J., Deblauwe, V. and Lejeune, O. Self-organised vegetation patterning as fingerprint of climate and human impact on semiarid ecosystems. Journal of Ecology, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bastian, O. (2001). Landscape ecology: towards a unified discipline? Landscape Ecology, 16, 757-766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Betti, J.L. (2001). Vulnerabilité des plantes utilisées comme antipaludiques dans l’arrondissement de Mintom au Sud de la Réserve du Dja (Cameroun). Systematics and Geography of Plants, 71, 661- 678.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boaler, S.B. and Hodge, C.A.H. (1964). Observations on vegetation arcs in the Northern region, Somali republic. Journal of Ecology, 52, 511-544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaert, J., Ceulemans, R. and Salvador-Van Eysenrode, D. (2004). A decision tree algorithm for detection of spatial processes in landscape transformation. Environmental Management, 33, 62-73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaert, J. and Hong, S.-K. (2004). Landscape ecology: monitoring landscape dynamics using spatial pattern metrics. In S.-K. Hong, J.A. Lee, B.-S. Ihm, A. Farina, Y. Son, E.-S. Kim and J.C. Choe (Eds.), Ecological Issues in a Changing World (pp. 109-131). Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bogaert, J., Myneni, R.B. and Knyazikhin, Y. (2002). A mathematical comment on the formulae for the aggregation index and the shape index. Landscape Ecology, 17, 87-90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bultot, F. (1950). Carte des Régions Climatiques du Congo Belge Etablie d’après les Critères de Köppen (Communication n°9 du Bureau Climatologique). Publication I.N.E.A.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collinge, S.K. (1998). Spatial arrangement of habitat patches and corridors: clues from ecological field experiments. Landscape and Urban Planning, 42, 157-168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collinge, S.K. and Forman, R.T.T. (1998). A conceptual model of land conversion processes: predictions and evidence from a microlandscape experiment with grassland insects. Oikos, 82, 66-84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coulson, R.N., Saarenmaa, H., Daugherty, W.C., Rykiel, E.J.Jr., Saunders, M.C. and Fitzgerald, J.W. (1999). A knowledge system environment for ecosystem management. In J.M. Klopatek and R.H. Gardner (Eds.), Landscape Ecological Analysis – Issues and Applications (pp. 57-79). Springer, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couteron, P. (2002). Quantifying change in patterned semi-arid vegetation by Fourier analysis of digitized aerial photographs. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 23, 3407-3425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Couteron, P., Barbier, N. and Gautier, D. Textural ordination based on Fourier spectral decomposition: a method to analyze and compare landscape patterns. Landscape Ecology, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Couteron, P. and Lejeune, O. (2001). Periodic spotted patterns in semi-arid vegetation explained by a propagation-inhibition model. Journal of Ecology, 89, 616-628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Couteron, P., Pelissier, R., Nicolini, E.A. and Paget, D. (2005). Predicting tropical forest stand structure parameters from Fourier transform of very high-resolution remotely sensed canopy images. Journal of Applied Ecology, 42, 1121-1128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crisp, M.D., Laffan, S., Linder, H.P. and Monro, A. (2001). Endemism in the Australian flora. Journal of Biogeography, 28, 183-198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curtis, J.T. (1956). The modification of mid-latitude grasslands and forests by man. In W. L. Thomas (Ed.), Man’s Role in Changing the Face of the Earth (pp. 721-736). University of Chicago Press, Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • d’Herbès, J.M., Valentin, C., Tongway, D.J. and Leprun, J.C. (2001). Banded vegetation patterns and related structures. In D.J. Tongway, C. Valentin, J.M. d’Herbès and J. Seghieri (Eds.), Banded Vegetation Patterning in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments. Ecological Processes and Consequences for Management (pp. 1-19). Springer, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunkerley, D.L. and Brown, K.J. (2002). Oblique vegetation banding in the Australian arid zone: implications for theories of pattern evolution and maintenance. Journal of Arid Environments, 51, 163-181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duvigneaud, P. (1958). La végétation du Katanga et de ses sols métallifères. Bulletin de la Société Royale Botanique de Belgique, 90, 127-286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farina, A. (1993). From global to regional landscape ecology (editorial comment). Landscape Ecology, 8, 153-154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, N.I. (1993). Statistical Analysis of Circular Data. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forman, R.T.T. (1995). Land Mosaics: The Ecology of Landscapes and Regions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, J.F. and Forman, R.T.T. (1987). Creating landscape patterns by forest cutting: ecological consequences and principles. Landscape Ecology, 1, 5-18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giles, R.H.Jr. and Trani, M.K. (1999). Key elements of landscape pattern measures. Environmental Management, 23, 477-481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, J.E.G.W. (1957). The development of vegetation patterns in Somaliland Protectorate. Geographical Journal, 123, 465-473.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hepper, N.F. (1978). The present stage of botanical exploration of tropical Africa. In I. Hedberg (Ed.) Systematic Botany, Plant Utilisation and Biosphere Conservation (pp. 41-46). I. Almqvist & Wiksell International, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hepper, N.F. (1979). Deuxième édition de la Carte du Degré d’Exploration Floristique de l’Afrique au Sud du Sahara. In G. Kunkel (Ed.), IXe Réunion plénière de l’AETFAT, Las Palmas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ives, R.L. (1946). Desert ripples. American Journal of Science, 244, 492-501.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger, J. (2000). Landscape division, splitting index, and effective mesh size: new measures of landscape fragmentation. Landscape Ecology, 15, 115-130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalanda, K. (1982). Etude Taxonomique et Phytogéographique du Genre Vernonia Schreb. (Asteraceae) au Zaïre. Thèse doctorale, Université de Kisangani, Zaïre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun, J. (1960). Sur une méthode de délimitation des horizons et étages de végétation des montagnes du Congo Oriental. Bulletin du Jardin Botanique de l’Etat, 30, 75-94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun, J.P. (1973). Enumeration des Plantes Vasculaires du Sénégal. Etude botanique no. 2, Institut d’Elevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux, Maisons-Alfort.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun, J.P. (1976). Richesse spécifique de la flore vasculaire des divers pays ou régions d’Afrique. Candollea, 31, 11-15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun, J.P. (2001). Introduction à la Flore d’Afrique. CIRAD. Ibis Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebrun, J.P. and Stork, A.L. (1991). Énumération des Plantes à Fleurs D’Afrique Tropicale. Volume. 1. Généralités et Annonaceae à Euphorbiaceae et Pandanceae. Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques. Geneva.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefever, R. and Lejeune, O. (1997). On the origin of tiger bush. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology, 59, 263-294.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Legendre, P. and Legendre, L. (1998). Numerical ecology (2nd English ed.). Elsevier, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leprun, J.C. (1999). The influences of ecological factors on tiger bush and dotted bush patterns along a gradient from Mali to northern Burkina Faso. Catena, 37, 25-44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, S.A. (1992). The problem of pattern and scale in ecology. Ecology, 73, 1943-1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, H. and Reynolds, J.F. (1994). A simulation experiment to quantify spatial heterogeneity in categorical maps. Ecology, 75, 2446-2455.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lisowski, S. (1991). Les Asteraceae dans la Flore D’Afrique Centrale. Fragmenta Floristica et Geobotanica 36(1 & 2). Polish Academy of Sciences, W. Szafer Institut.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mabbutt, J.A. and Fanning, P.C. (1987). Vegetation banding in arid Western Australia. Journal of Arid Environments, 12, 41-59.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacFadyen, W.A. (1950). Vegetation patterns in the semi-desert plains of British Somaliland. Geographical Journal, 116, 199-210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGarigal, K. and Marks, B.J. (1995). FRAGSTATS: Spatial Pattern Analysis Program for Quantifying Landscape Structure. Department of Agriculture, Pacific Northwest Research Station, PNW-GTR- 351, Oregon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montana, C., Lopez Portillo, J. and Mauchamp, A. (1990). The response of two woody species to the conditions created by a shifting ecotone in an arid ecosystem. Journal of Ecology, 78, 789-798.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Naveh, Z. (2000). What is holistic landscape ecology? A conceptual introduction. Landscape and Urban Planning, 50, 7-26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ndjele, M.B. (1988). Les Eléments Phytogéographiques Endémiques dans la Flore Vasculaire du Zaïre. Thèse doctorale, Faculté des Sciences, Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgique.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Neill, R.V., Krummel, J.R., Gardner, R.H., Sugihara, G., Jackson, B., DeAngelis, D.L., Milne, B.T., Turner, M.G., Zygmunt, B., Christensen, S.W., Dale, V. and Graham, R.L. (1988). Indices of landscape pattern. Landscape Ecology, 3, 153-162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ozanda, P. (1982). Les Végétaux dans la Biosphère. Dion éditeurs, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Renshaw, E. and Ford, E.D. (1984). The description of spatial pattern using two-dimensional spectral analysis. Vegetatio, 56, 75-85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riitters, K., Wickham, J., O’Neill, R.V., Jones, B. and Smith, E. (2000). Global-scale patterns of forest fragmentation. Conservation Ecology, 4, www.consecol.org/vol4/iss2/art3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robyns W. (1948). Les territoires phytogéographiques du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. Atlas général du Congo Belge. Académie Royale des Sciences Coloniales, Bruxelles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schlesinger, W.H., Reynolds, J.F., Cunningham, G.L., Huenneke, L.F., Jarrell, W.M. and Virginia, R.A. (1990). Biological feedbacks in global desertification. Science, 247, 1043-1048.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schnell, R. (1971). Introduction à la Phytogéographie des Pays Tropicaux. Volume II : Les Milieux. Les Groupements Végétaux. Editions Gauthier-Villars, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Troll, C. (1939). Luftbildplan und ökologische Bodemforschung. Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Erdkunde zu Berlin, 241-298.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M.G. (1989). Landscape ecology: the effect of pattern on process. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 20, 171-197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, M.G. and Ruscher, C.L. (1988). Changes in landscape patterns in Georgia, USA. Landscape Ecology, 1, 241-251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UICN, (2001). Catégories et critères de l’UICN pour la Liste Rouge. UICN, Gland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Valentin, C., d’Herbes, J.M. and Poesen, J. (1999). Soil and water components of banded vegetation patterns. Catena, 37, 1-24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van de Koppel, J. and Rietkerk, M. (2004). Spatial interactions and resilience in arid ecosystems. American Naturalist, 163, 113-121.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • von Hardenberg, J., Meron, E., Shachak, M. and Zarmi, Y. (2001). Diversity of vegetation patterns and desertification. Physical Review Letters, 87, art-198101.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, F. (1979). The Guineo-Congolian region an its relationships to other phytochoria. Bulletin du Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, 49, 11-55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, F. (1983). The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive Memoire to Accompany the UNESCO/AETFAT Vegetation Map of Africa. UNESCO, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • White, L.P. (1971). Vegetation stripes on sheet wash surfaces. Journal of Ecology, 59, 615-622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickens, G.E. and Collier, F.W. (1971). Some vegetation patterns in the republic of the Sudan. Geoderma, 6, 43-59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiens, J.A. (2002). Riverine landscapes: taking landscape ecology into the water. Freshwater Biology, 47, 501-515.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J. and Hobbs, R. (2002). Key issues and research priorities in landscape ecology: an idiosyncratic synthesis. Landscape Ecology, 17, 355-365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université libre de Bruxelles Laboratoire d’Ecologie du Paysage, Bruxelles, Belgique

    K.J. Koffi, V. Deblauwe, S. Sibomana & J. Bogaert

  2. Université du Burundi Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Bujumbura, Burundi

    S. Sibomana & B. Habonimana

  3. Université libre de Bruxelles Service de Botanique Systématique et de Phytosociologie, Bruxelles, Belgique

    D.F.R. Neuba, N. Barbier & J. Lejoly

  4. Jardin Botanique National de Belgique, Meise, Belgique

    D. Champluvier & E. Robbrecht

  5. Université libre de Bruxelles, Service de Lutte Biologique et d’Ecologie Spatiale, Bruxelles, Belgique

    C. De Canniere

  6. Université de Cocody-Abidjan Laboratoire de Botanique, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

    D. Traore

Authors
  1. K.J. Koffi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. Deblauwe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Sibomana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D.F.R. Neuba
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. D. Champluvier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. C. De Canniere
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. N. Barbier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. D. Traore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. B. Habonimana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. E. Robbrecht
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. J. Lejoly
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. J. Bogaert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Mokpo National University, Jeonnam, Korea

    Sun-Kee Hong

  2. Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan

    Nobukazu Nakagoshi

  3. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P.R. China

    Bojie Fu

  4. Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    Yukihiro Morimoto

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Koffi, K. et al. (2008). Spatial Pattern Analysis as a Focus of Landscape Ecology to Support Evaluation of Human Impact on Landscapes and Diversity. In: Hong, SK., Nakagoshi, N., Fu, B., Morimoto, Y. (eds) Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5488-2_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation