ISSN:
1572-9761
Keywords:
model
;
fractals
;
landscape ecology
;
ecosystem
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract Digital elevation model data were used to partition a mountainous landscape (northwestern Montana, USA) into watershed/hillslope terrain units at several different spatial scales. Fractal analysis of the perimeter to area relationships of the resulting partition polygons identified statistical self-similarity across a range of spatial scales (approximately four orders of magnitude in partition area). The fractal dimension was higher for a relatively complex fluvially-dominated terrain than for a structurally simpler glacially-dominated terrain (1.23 vs. 1.02, respectively). The structural self-similarity exhibited by this landscape has direct implications in scaling up ecosystem process models for landscape to regional simulations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00129701
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