Paul T. Tueller

Bio: Paul T. Tueller is an academic researcher from University of Nevada, Reno. The author has contributed to research in topics: Rangeland management & Vegetation. The author has an hindex of 19, co-authored 30 publications receiving 1953 citations.

Empirical patterns of the effects of changing scale on landscape metrics

Abstract: While ecologists are well aware that spatial heterogeneity is scale-dependent, a general understanding of scaling relationships of spatial pattern is still lacking. One way to improve this understanding is to systematically examine how pattern indices change with scale in real landscapes of different kinds. This study, therefore, was designed to investigate how a suite of commonly used landscape metrics respond to changing grain size, extent, and the direction of analysis (or sampling) using several different landscapes in North America. Our results showed that the responses of the 19 landscape metrics fell into three general categories: Type I metrics showed predictable responses with changing scale, and their scaling relations could be represented by simple scaling equations (linear, power-law, or logarithmic functions); Type II metrics exhibited staircase-like responses that were less predictable; and Type III metrics behaved erratically in response to changing scale, suggesting no consistent scaling relations. In general, the effect of changing grain size was more predictable than that of changing extent. Type I metrics represent those landscape features that can be readily and accurately extrapolated or interpolated across spatial scales, whereas Type II and III metrics represent those that require more explicit consideration of idiosyncratic details for successful scaling. To adequately quantify spatial heterogeneity, the metric-scalograms (the response curves of metrics to changing scale), instead of single-scale measures, seem necessary.

Multiscale Analysis of Landscape Heterogeneity: Scale Variance and Pattern Metrics

Abstract: A major goal of landscape ecology is to understand the formation, dynamics, and maintenance of spatial heterogeneity. Spatial heterogeneity is the most fundamental characteristic of all landscapes, and scale multiplicity is inherent in spatial heterogeneity. Thus, multiscale analysis is imperative for understanding the structure, function and dynamics of landscapes. Although a number of methods have been used for multiscale analysis in landscape ecology since the 1980s, the effectiveness of many of them, including some commonly used ones, is not clear or questionable. In this paper, we discuss two approaches to multiscale analysis of landscape heterogeneity: the direct and indirect approaches. We will focus on scale variance and semivariance methods in the first approach and 17 landscape metrics in the second. The results show that scale variance is potentially a powerful method to detect and describe multiple-scale structures of landscapes, while semivariance analysis may often fail to do so esp...

Vegetation science applications for rangeland analysis and management.

Abstract: 1. Introduction.- Basic Vegetation Science Contributions.- 2. Plant synecology in the service of rangeland management.- 3. Ecophysiology of range plants.- 4. Rangeland plant taxonomy.- 5. New plant development in range management.- 6. Successional concepts in relation to range condition assessment.- 7. A role for nonvascular plants in management of arid and semiarid rangelands.- 8. Seedbeds as selective factors in the species composition of rangeland communities.- 9. Modelling rangeland ecosystems for monitoring and adaptive management.- Vegetation Distribution and Organization.- 10. Vegetation-soil relationships on arid and semiarid rangelands.- 11. Vegetation attributes and their applications to the management of Australian rangelands.- 12. The ecology of shrubland/woodland for range use.- 13. Tundra vegetation as a rangeland resource.- 14. Forest rangeland relationships.- 15. Ecological principles and their application to rangeland management practice in South Africa.- 16. Range management from grassland ecology.- 17. Riparian values as a focus for range management and vegetation science.- Vegetation Science Rangeland Applications.- 18. Rangeland vegetation productivity and biomass.- 19. Rangeland vegetation - hydrologic interactions.- 20. Grazing management and vegetation response.- 21. Understanding fire ecology for range management.- 22. Reclamation of drastically disturbed rangelands.- 23. Rangeland vegetation as wildlife habitat.- 24. Revegetation of arid and semiarid rangelands.

Rangeland Monitoring Using Remote Sensing

Abstract: Monitoring vast landscapes has, from the beginning of rangeland management, depended on people's judgements. This is no longer tenable, but a more effective method has yet to be devised. The problem is how to do an economical inventory that will detect ecologically important change over extensive land areas with acceptable error rates. The error risk is a function of adequate sample numbers and distribution for each indicator monitored. Of all of the indicators identified for monitoring, ground cover and its inverse, bare ground, may be the most discussed. Ground-cover measurements address soil stability and watershed function which are first-priority ecological concerns; are well adapted to remote sensing frameworks thus allowing extensive, unbiased, economical sampling; and, the measurements, especially when done by computer image analysis, have the potential to reduce or avoid the human-judgement factor. Data collection through remote sensing appears the most logical approach to acquiring appropriately...

Remote sensing technology for rangeland management applications.

Abstract: The future of rangeland resources development and management is dependent upon increased scientific capability. Remote sensing technology can contribute information for a variety of rangeland resource management applications. In future we can expect to see an increased number of professional range managers with expertise in remote sensing. This training will include, in addition to principles of aerial photo interpretation, digital image analysis technology, increased use of geographic information systems, airborne video remote sensing, and the use of newly developing high resolution systems. The data will be obtained from both aircraft and spacecraft. Applications will include inventory, evaluation, and monitoring of rangeland resources and the incorporation of remote sensing data to support and improve the decision processes on the use, development, and management of rangeland

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

Mechanisms of plant survival and mortality during drought: why do some plants survive while others succumb to drought?

Abstract: Summary Severe droughts have been associated with regional-scale forest mortality worldwide. Climate change is expected to exacerbate regional mortality events; however, pre- diction remains difficult because the physiological mechanisms underlying drought survival and mortality are poorly understood. We developed a hydraulically based theory considering carbon balance and insect resistance that allowed development and examination of hypotheses regarding survival and mortality. Multiple mechanisms may cause mortality during drought. A common mechanism for plants with isohydric

The Environmental Protection Agency

Abstract: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides access to information on a variety of topics related to the environment and strives to inform citizens of health risks. The EPA also has an extensive library network that consists of 26 libraries throughout the United States, which provide access to a plethora of information to EPA employees, scientists, and researchers. The EPA implemented a reorganization project to digitize their materials so they would be more accessible to a wider range of users, but this plan was drastically accelerated when the EPA was threatened with a budget cut. It chose to close and reduce the hours and services of some of their libraries. As a result, the agency was accused of denying users the “right to know” by making information unavailable, not providing an adequate strategic plan, and discarding vital materials. This case study explores the background of the digitization project, the practices implemented, and the critiques of the project.

Spatial Analysis A Guide for Ecologists

Abstract: Preface 1. Spatial concepts and notions 2. Ecological and spatial processes 3. Points, lines and graphs 4. Spatial analysis of complete point location data 5. Contiguous units analysis 6. Spatial analysis of sample data 7. Spatial relationship and multiscale analysis 8. Spatial autocorrelation and inferential tests 9. Spatial partitioning: spatial clusters and boundary detection 10. Spatial diversity analysis 11. Spatio-temporal analysis 12. Closing comments and future directions References Index.