Why study landscapes?
Scale of operations
Past, present and continuing
Our responsibility
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Why is it useful to study the environment at the landscape level? What other options are there? (You might need to recall the reductionist approach mentioned elsewhere.) |
Landscapes are important units at which to study the environment because many of the factors that affect the persistence of species and ecological processes, operate at this scale. That is, ecological patterns and processes are determined by the interaction of physical, biological and anthropogenic factors across wide areas.
Forman and Godron (1986) described landscapes as being a function of 'an endless feedback loop' where 'Past functioning has produced today's structure; Today's structure produces today's functioning; Today's functioning will produce future structure.' This means that historical processes, be they physical, biological or human, have affected the way the landscape appears (is structured) today, and the way it is structured today will influence the processes operating within it, and these processes will have the effect of influencing the structure and pattern of tomorrow. The result is a complex process of interacting structure, function and change.
With increases in human populations and changes to technology people have become increasingly influential in determining the future of landscapes. It is important to study and understand the interactions that take place in the landscape, if we are to limit the detrimental environmental impacts of intensified human activity.
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Reading 1.1: Forman 'Land Mosaics: the ecology of landscapes and regions.' |
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Mosiac Notes
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| Note the key points from this reading in your e-journal. | ||
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You may also like to read an article by Noss on 'A regional approach to maintain diversity'. |
