Ecology – the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment. Landscape – area-wide mosaic over which local ecosystems, land covers and land uses exist.
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Ecology – the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment. Landscape – area-wide mosaic over which local ecosystems, land covers and.
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Ecology – the study of the interactions among organisms and their environment.
Landscape – area-wide mosaic over which local ecosystems, land covers and land uses exist.
The landscape is a mosaic of forms and patterns arranged spatially. This mosaic is composed of a pattern of patches and corridors within a more or less uniform matrix.
Patch shapes
Patch as a depression, with clump of trees
Smooth grassy hilltop contrasted with shrubs below the trail.
Disturbance in patch - lightening strike in mangrove forest
Deforestation in Brazil
Alluvial fan in California
Vegetation patterns extending along mountain ridges
Central pivot irrigation
Sun city development
Agricultural fields
Patch on edge of water
Man-made patch with edge
Vegetation patches that extend along a stream
Elongated patches of development along the Mississippi in LA.
Patches of kelp
Five distinct forms:
1. Patch
2. Edge
3. Corridor
4. Intersection
5. Mosaic
1. Patch / matrix
Mussel bed patch
Patch of native grass
Matrix of alpine vegetation
2. Edge
Edge marked by change in eco-tone?
Or by man-made path?
Transitional or abrupt?
Edge of red fir patch
Straight or convoluted?
3. Corridors & Networks
Pan-European Ecological Network concept
Corridors, networks and landscape connectivity
4. Intersection - the intersection of corridors
5. Mosaic
Five Main Ecological Functions:
1. Barrier (eg. to keep invasive species out or to protect a specie)
2. Filter (water, noise, soil contaminants)
3. Conduit (for specie migration, dispersal, daily commuting)