Approaches to advance scientific understanding of macrosystems ecology

摘要: The emergence of macrosystems ecology (MSE), which focuses on regional- to continental-scale ecological patterns and processes, builds upon a history long-term broad-scale studies in ecology. Scientists face the difficulty integrating many elements that make up macrosystems, consist hierarchical processes at interacting spatial temporal scales. Researchers must also identify most relevant scales variables be considered, required data resources, appropriate study design provide proper inferences. large volumes multi-thematic often associated with macrosystem typically require validation, standardization, assimilation. Finally, analytical approaches need describe how cross-scale dynamics interactions relate macroscale phenomena. Here, we elaborate some key methodological challenges MSE research discuss existing novel meet them.