| dc.description.abstract | Maps are used often in ecological boundary analysis. However, there is a
lack of research concerning the relationship between ecological boundary
research and the cartography of ecological boundaries. This multidisciplinary
study analyzes the ecology, cartography, and philosophy of ecological
boundaries. Background literature in these fields is reviewed to establish a
holistic view of ecological boundaries. Ecological boundaries are observed in the
Thunder Bay Centennial Botanical Conservatory. Observations are analyzed in a
cartographic context using a new tool, the Ecological Boundary Symbology
Matrix. The symbology matrix is a flexible research tool used for cartographic
analysis. Guidelines for ecological boundary symbology are presented. A map
series is constructed that incorporates strategies presented in the guidelines and
reflects findings of the symbology matrix. Observations and matrix analysis
established that ecological boundaries interact with a number of phenomena,
described in this study as 'modes', which may not be limited by the boundary in
the same way. The extent to which a boundary limits its modes depends on the
spatial characteristics of that boundary and the characteristics of the modes. This
means that ecological boundaries can be mapped in greater detail based on
boundary-mode characteristics. New boundary terms based on observed
boundary characteristics are presented including: definite boundary, indefinite
boundary, perforated boundary, interface boundary, and medial boundary. | en_US |
