Landscape Dynamics Concepts
For heuristic purposes, a simple conceptual framework for discussing ecosystem/landscape dynamics is needed. In this simple model, we depict system dynamics as a trajectory over time in a state variable. A state variable is any variable the describes the state or condition of the system at a single point in time and is typically a measure of system structure or function. For example, the percentage of the landscape in a particular vegetation condition, mean patch size, total water discharge, and net primary productivity are all examples of potential state variables. As shown here, under a “natural” disturbance regime, the trajectory in a state variable might fluctuate over time in response to disturbance and succession processes and vary within a “natural range of variability”, or what is sometimes referred to as the “normal multiple states operating range”. Note, this range of variability is relative to a specific spatial and temporal scale