Abstract
Origins and spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation patches were examined with special reference to environmental resources and disturbance regimes. Distributions of environmental resource patches and disturbance patches were controlled by landforms and bed rocks in mountain areas. Spatio-temporal changes of vegetation were characterized by difference in persistence of these patches. Mountain ecosystems should be managed with adequate similarity to natural disturbance regimes. Some important challenges were shown to improve our understanding of vegetation dynamics and the response to environmental changes.
