title: Role of scale and environmental factors in regulation of community structure.
abstract: Pattern in ecological communities - the distribution, abundance and diversity of species - depends on a complex interplay between large - and local-scale processes. Large-scale variation in factors such as environmental stress, dispersal or productivity sets the stage for local-scale ecological processes such as predation or competition. Until recently, most research focused on local-scale explanations of community pattern. Current models attempt to integrate the role of individual large-scale factors with local-scale processes. This trend will continue, with increased effort to understand the specific means by which large-scale factors cause variation among communities.
authors.affiliation: Bruce Menge and Annette Olson are at the Dept of Zoology, Cordley Hall 3029, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2914, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Menge
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Olson