Managing and Monitoring Ecosystems in the Face of Heterogeneity

Abstract

Problems of air and water pollution have become sufficiently acute and extensive that piecemeal solution of the problems is no longer adequate. It has become clear that even if each city meets clean air and water standards for human health the regional ecosystems may be degraded. It is thus necessary to monitor and manage the environment on a regional or even global basis. At this scale, however, heterogeneity of all types becomes almost overwhelming. Spatial heterogeneity, multilevel phenomena, multiple management activities, and multiple time scales interfere with the abilities of managers and regulatory agencies to detect and prevent environmental deterioration. This chapter addresses strategies for dealing with complexity and heterogeneity, largely in the context of environmental protection.