Macroecology and people

A macroecological perspective has become recognised as an important component of ecological studies, serving particularly to crystallise the notion that processes operating at large spatial (geographic) and temporal scales often play important roles in shaping species assemblages and communities at more local scales. However, within the field, consideration has been surprisingly lacking of the influence of humans in shaping macroecological patterns, the determinants of those patterns, or their consequences for local assemblages and communities. Here I briefly review the reasons why this might be so, and the possible interactions between macroecology and people, and suggest some simple steps for exploring this issue.