<b>The study of fractals among ecologists</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i1.7701 <b>The study of fractals among ecologists</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i1.7701

Abstract

Fractals seemed to have permeated most scientific fields, including ecology. In fact, biodiversity and ecological processes are affected by spatial complexity, and fractals can help understand patterns at multiple scales. In this paper we evaluated the main quantitative trends and the profile of ecology publications using fractals. Publications about fractals in Ecology experienced a high increase in the last two decades, and most articles were published in highly visible ecology journals. However, studies were authored mainly by US scientists, and researchers from developing countries had a minor contribution. In addition, studies were highly biased towards terrestrial environments, and empirical approaches were preferred.Fractals seemed to have permeated most of scientific fields, including ecology. In fact, biodiversity and ecological processes are affected by spatial complexity, and fractals can help understand patterns at multiple scales. In this paper we evaluated the main quantitative trends and the profile of ecological publications using fractals. Publication about fractals in Ecology experienced a high increase in the last two decades and most articles were published in high visible ecological journals. However, studies were authored mainly by Americans, and researchers from developing countries had a minor contribution. In addition, studies were highly biased towards terrestrial environments, and empirical approaches were preferred.

Keywords

• fractal geometry
• ecology
• spatial complexity
• scientometrics