Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science

E Filotas; L Parrott; P J Burton; Robin L Chazdon; K D Coates; L Coll; S Haeussler; Kathy Martin; S Nocentini; K J Puettmann; F E Putz; S W Simard; C Messier

doi:10.1890/ES13-00182.1

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Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science

E Filotas, L Parrott, P J Burton, Robin L Chazdon, K D Coates, L Coll, S Haeussler, Kathy Martin, S Nocentini, K J Puettmann, …

Ecosphere, Vol.5(1), 1

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1890/ES13-00182.1

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Abstract

adaptation

complex systems

forests

resilience

social-ecological systems

Complex systems science provides a transdisciplinary framework to study systems characterized by (1) heterogeneity, (2) hierarchy, (3) self-organization, (4) openness, (5) adaptation, (6) memory, (7) non-linearity, and (8) uncertainty. Complex systems thinking has inspired both theory and applied strategies for improving ecosystem resilience and adaptability, but applications in forest ecology and management are just beginning to emerge. We review the properties of complex systems using four well-studied forest biomes (temperate, boreal, tropical and Mediterranean) as examples. The lens of complex systems science yields insights into facets of forest structure and dynamics that facilitate comparisons among ecosystems. These biomes share the main properties of complex systems but differ in specific ecological properties, disturbance regimes, and human uses. We show how this approach can help forest scientists and managers to conceptualize forests as integrated social-ecological systems and provide concrete examples of how to manage forests as complex adaptive systems. © 2014 Filotas et al.

Details

Title: Viewing forests through the lens of complex systems science
Authors: E Filotas (Author) - University of Quebec, Canada
L Parrott (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
P J Burton (Author) - University of Northern British Columbia, Canada
Robin L Chazdon (Author) - University of Connecticut, United States
K D Coates (Author) - University of Connecticut, United States
L Coll (Author) - Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
S Haeussler (Author) - Bulkley Valley Research Centre, Canada
Kathy Martin (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
S Nocentini (Author) - University of Florence, France
K J Puettmann (Author) - Oregon State University, United States
F E Putz (Author) - University of Florida, United States
S W Simard (Author) - University of British Columbia, Canada
C Messier (Author) - University of Quebec, Canada
Publication details: Ecosphere, Vol.5(1), 1
Publisher: Ecological Society of America
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1890/ES13-00182.1
ISSN: 2150-8925
Copyright note: Copyright © 2014 Filotas et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative CommonsAttribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided theoriginal author and source are credited. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99451022302621
Output Type: Journal article

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