HOME
ENV510 Landscape Ecology and GIS
Definitions
& descriptions |
Structure & pattern |
Function
& process | Change
& dynamics | Management
implications
Structure
| Features
| Patches
| Matrix
| Corridors
| Measurements
| Indices | Measures
| Metrics | Inadequacies
| Quantification | Appearance
| Complexity
Two main
types of indices exist:
Landscape
configuration refers to the spatial arrangement, positioning, orientation and
complexity of patches - that is to the spatial characteristics of landscapes.
Landscape configuration is described by indices that measure structural characteristics. Configuration is characterised by the distribution and spatial arrangement of patches, so measures like nearest neighbour, adjacency, connectedness and shape complexity are used to describe it.
Landscape
composition refers to the distribution of species and the number of, and abundance
of patch types - it is essentially aspatial and therefore refers to the non-spatial
characteristics of landscapes.
Landscape
composition is described by measures of variety and abundance. These may include
calculations of the proportion of each patch type, patch richness, evenness
and diversity (McGarigal
and Marks, 1994). Measures of composition are essentially calculating diversity
so many are drawn from indices of species diversity traditionally used in community
ecology.
This means
that the landscape is either described by its spatial or non-spatial characteristics
(Baskent
and Jordan, 1995)
Some indices incorporate both configuration and composition.
Site
map
| Glossary
| Downloads | References
| Resources | Graphics
Version
ENV510 Home
Updated July 2004 ©
Charles Darwin University
Copyright information
and disclaimer