Increasing land fragmentation, mostly caused by urban sprawl and “leap-frog’ developments, is a major concern in many rapidly growing metropolitan cities of the US. Land fragmentation affects biodiversity and ecosystem processes, as portions of the landscape become isolated without connecting corridors and this, in turn, can change ecological structure and function. This cross-site comparative study, a joint-collaboration of several LTER sites (i.e.

Land fragmentation caused by urban sprawl and “leap frog” development patterns has important consequences on ecological structure and function. A group of researchers from several LTER sites--Central Arizona-Phoenix, Konza Prairie, Jornada Basin, Sevilleta, and Shortgrass Steppe—is collaborating in a cross-site comparison study to analyze the land fragmentation patterns and processes in some of the fast growing cities in the Southwest and Midwest regions.

Most aspects of the structure and function of Earth’s ecosystems can no longer be understood without accounting for the strong, and often dominant influence of humanity across space and time. Human land-use practices in particular are fundamental determinants of local, regional, and global ecological processes. The consequences of such practices are evident across diverse scales influencing the sustainability of landscapes and ultimately the quality of human life.

The goal of this working group is to continue discussions initiated at the 2009 Science Council meeting that were focused on designing a continental-scale research program to assess how the major socio-ecological systems of the U.S.

The LTER Network Decadal Planning process has identified Cryosphere loss as one focus area for development and potential research support over the next few years. With LNO support, we held a Cross-Site Workshop in Woods Hole in April to explore the geophysical, ecological, biogeochemical and socioecological dimensions of declining glacier, permafrost, snow, sea, lake and river ice.

Vulnerability and Resilience of American Landscapes to Global Change