Fronts écologiques : dynamiques spatio-temporelles et dominations multi-scalaires

Abstract

Based on the articles published in this special issue, the purpose of this conclusion is to provide a framework permitting the understanding of ecological colonization processes. The point is to go beyond post-colonial interpretations of the notion of ecological frontier. To do this it starts by bringing conceptual clarifications to the idea of ecological front. Giving this notion two dimensions appears essential to its understanding, even though this duality has not been sufficiently underlined in the proposed definitions. The first dimension is the temporality of ecological frontier: these prove to be particularly unstable, in perpetual flux and therefore can only be understood over the long term. The second dimension is the “where”, in what space do the decisions and effects of this ecological colonization take place? Based on these two dimensions (time and space) a framework is proposed to interpret the process of ecological colonization. This is based on the actual study of three areas in different parts of the globe (the Canadian north, Brazilian Amazon and the Alps) which are emblematic of the diversity of ecological frontiers.

Keywords

• Alps
• Amazonia
• Canada
• ecological frontier
• methodology
• scale