A Classification Framework to Assess Ecological, Biogeochemical, and Hydrologic Synchrony and Asynchrony

Area of Science:

• Ecosystem science, integrating ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry.

Background:

• Anthropocene ecosystems face interacting environmental changes (land use, hydrology, climate).
• These changes can alter the synchrony of distinct ecosystem processes.
• Existing definitions and methods for synchrony/asynchrony are fragmented across disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To offer a unifying definition of synchrony for ecosystem science.
• To propose a classification framework for synchrony and asynchrony of ecosystem processes.
• To facilitate synthesis and comparison of studies across disciplines.

Main Methods:

• Developed a classification framework based on five key aspects: focal variables, spatial-temporal domain, driver/process attributes, temporal consistency, and causality.
• Applied the framework to existing literature in ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, and biogeochemistry.
• Discussed analytical tools for quantifying synchronous and asynchronous processes.

Main Results:

• Provided a universal definition and classification system for ecosystem process synchrony and asynchrony.
• Differentiated various types of synchrony and asynchrony based on the framework.
• Identified potential shifts in synchrony/asynchrony under ongoing environmental change.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework unifies the concept of ecosystem process synchrony across disciplines.
• This classification aids in understanding and comparing how environmental change impacts ecosystem processes.
• Facilitates future research on the dynamics of synchrony and asynchrony in changing ecosystems.