Generation of Temporally and Spatially Heterogeneous Landscapes for Models of Population Dynamics

There is an increased interest in the use of spatial explicit modelling techniques in ecological research. One of the strength of this technique is the possibility to explicitly study the effect of environmental heterogeneity on the dynamics of populations or whole communities. Most of these studies focused on aspects of spatial heterogeneity, and studies focusing on environmental change employed other modelling techniques. Only recently were these two aspects of heterogeneity coupled within the same framework. The paper aims to review algorithms for generating spatially and temporarily heterogeneous landscapes that can be used in studies of population dynamics. These models have the potential to give new insight into the dynamics of populations living in a fragmented and changing environment.