Abstract
Landscape connectivity is a critical component of dynamic processes that link the structure and function of networks at the landscape scale. In the Anthropocene, connectivity across a landscape-scale network is influenced not only by biophysical land use features, but also by characteristics and patterns of the social landscape. This is particularly apparent in urban landscapes, which are highly dynamic in land use and often in social composition. Thus, landscape connectivity, especially in cities, must be thought of in a social-ecological framework. This is relevant when considering ecosystem services—the benefits that people derive from ecological processes and properties. As relevant actors move through a connected landscape-scale network, particular services may “flow” better across space and time. For this special issue on dynamic landscape connectivity, we discuss the concept of social-ecological networks using urban landscapes as a focal system to highlight the importance of social-ecological connectivity to understand dynamic urban landscapes, particularly in regards to the provision of urban ecosystem services.
Highlights
Movement of ecological actors across a landscape is a prerequisite for many ecological processes and functions [1]
We discuss an interdisciplinary understanding of connectivity in social-ecological networks—an important concept in relation to ecosystem service provision
We focus on urban landscapes to highlight the importance of social-ecological connectivity to understand dynamic urban landscapes, and the provision of urban ecosystem services
Summary
Movement of ecological actors across a landscape is a prerequisite for many ecological processes and functions [1]. Ecosystem service provision can be predicated on the magnitude and pattern of movement (i.e., the connectivity) of organisms and people across a network This intervention can help bolster our theoretical and applicable understanding of how relevant actors (human and non-human) are affected by changes in landscape form and ecological function [14]. Considering the social-ecological connectivity of ecosystem services throughout a network can inform how landscape-scale networks can support human wellbeing and ecological resilience (e.g., resistance to regime shifts) Ecosystem services such as pollination and pest control from mobile insects, allergen reduction by pollen competition, and water flow paths/uptake are largely linked to the network structure and connectivity of green spaces [19], but are characterized by intra-annual dynamics and directional changes through time. Though we focus on urban landscapes in this exploration, such frameworks can be applied to other systems including agricultural and (semi-)natural landscapes
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