| The study investigates critical parameters of population dynamics and landscape pattern in the urban environment. An integrative framework is developed to access and standardize this knowledge at three distinct adaptive management scales, defined in this study as: site; contact; and landscape. To illustrate framework use, the study moves through each scale of information to hierarchically organize habitat patch and linkage requirements within a metapopulation working system model. The model establishes a hypothetical spatial pattern to understand the aggregated requirements of an eight patch network. Amphibians are the indicator species selected for this purpose and an examination of the model is made through a landscape evaluation on the potential for establishment, dispersal and renewal across a Great Lakes basin ecosystem known as Cootes Paradise Marsh. Spatial results suggest that the minimum landscape area proposed for management is currently adequate. Habitat is also available, accessible and integrated for the long-term persistence of many amphibians. In turn, the Framework shows how to most effectively feedback this information on future scientific research, design problem-solving and management practice. Implications further define the framework and model as flexible tools to target spatial planning and decision-making while also validating the need to incorporate hierarchically understood problem-solving in the fragmented landscape. |
