Abstract: Trend surface analysis is a method commonly used in community and population ecology: in this paper it was introduced as a tool to reveal pattern at the landscape level. A reasonable and reliable approach was presented to the application of this technique which enables the exploration of the role of the spatial distribution of landscape elements in landscape ecological research. Uniform grid point sampling was a key element in the described approach. It was well suited to complex secondary forest regions composed of confusing mosaics of land cover, and an example of its application in the Guandishan forested landscape was presented. The results of this application showed that, at the spatial scale of the study area (30～50km), horizontal geographical position as a determinant of the spatial pattern of landscape elements does not impact significantly on the spatial pattern of complex secondary forest mosaics. In contrast, aspect, slope and altitude were found to be the dominant features controlling landscape pattern in study area. Further, the orientation and the intensity of the controlling effects of aspect and slope in the landscape distribution pattern are differed markedly at different ranges of altitude. These differences are analyzed and discussed. Some basic rules of spatial distribution of landscape elements are proposed. It was anticipated that these rules will be of benefit to further study aimed at the enhancement of sustainable management of forests and landscape planning in the region.

Key words: Landscape pattern, Trend surface analysis, Uniform grid point sampling method, Forest landscape, Spa