The meta-ecosystem framework demonstrates the significance of among-ecosystem spatial flows for ecosystem dynamics and has fostered a rich body of theory. The high level of abstraction of the models, however, impedes applications to empirical systems. We argue that further understanding of spatial dynamics in natural systems strongly depends on dense exchanges between field and theory. From empiricists, more and specific quantifications of spatial flows are needed, defined by the major categories of organismal movement (dispersal, foraging, life-cycle, and migration). In parallel, the theoretical framework must account for the distinct spatial scales at which these naturally common spatial flows occur. Integrating all levels of spatial connections among landscape elements will upgrade and unify landscape and meta-ecosystem ecology into a single framework for spatial ecology.

元生态系统框架展示了生态系统间空间流动对生态系统动力学的重要性，并促进了丰富的理论体系。但是，模型的高度抽象性阻碍了对经验系统的应用。我们认为，对自然系统中空间动力学的进一步理解在很大程度上取决于领域与理论之间的密集交流。从经验主义者的角度出发，需要对空间流进行更多具体的量化，这是由生物运动的主要类别（分散，觅食，生命周期和迁徙）定义的。同时，理论框架必须考虑这些自然共同的空间流动发生的不同空间尺度。