Landscape Ecology
Concept, Methods and Applications
Editors:
Françoise Burel: Director of ECOBIO Research Unit, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Rennes, France
Jacques Baudry: Director of the SAD-Armorique Research Unit, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Rennes, France
ISBN 978-1-57808-214-8; 2003; 378 pages + 13 color plates, pb; US $ 54.90     Buy Now

The book is divided into four parts and starts with introducing the concept of landscape ecology. Part two details the dynamics and the structures of landscapes while part three and four respectively cover studies relating to ecological processes within landscapes and the applications of landscape ecology to landscape management.

Contents

Part I: Introduction
Definition of a Discipline
. Emergence of Landscape Ecology in the History of Ecology . Recognition of Heterogeneity in Ecological Systems . Taking Human Activities into Account in Ecological Systems . Explicit Accounting for Space and Time . Landscape Ecology is based on Scientific Theories Linked to Ecology and Related Disciplines

Landscpe Ecology: Definition of a Multidisciplinary Approach
. Landscape as Understood by the Ecologist . Landscape Ecology: An Interdisciplinary Approach o Landscape Ecology: Application of Results of Fundamental Research to Conservation Biology and Land Management

Part II: Landscape Structure and Dynamics
Analysis of Spatial Structures
. Categories of Landscape Elements . From Sample Plots in a Wood to Woods in a Landscape . Typology of Patches and Corridors . Basic Concepts for Quantitative Approaches . Measurement of Heterogeneity . Fragmentation . Connectedness o Return to Scale Dependence: Contribution of Fractal Geometry o Elements of Geostatistics . Typologies of Landscape Structures . General Conclusion

Dynamics of Landscapes
. Questions on Organization and Dynamics of Landscapes Stemming from Observation . Changes in Land use on the Global Scale . Regional Approaches to Changes in Land Use: Variations Depending on Modes of Measurement . Local Approaches to Changes in Land Cover: Importance of Spatialization . Dynamics of Valley Landscapes: The Water Course and its Corridors . Dynamics of Non-Anthropogenic Landscapes . Land cover and Evolving Landscapes, a General Phenomenon

Organization of Landscapes
. Categories of Models . The Concept of Organization . Ecological Organization of Landscapes . From Farming Systems to Landscape Diversity . General Approach of Dynamics and Organization of Agrarian Landscapes . Landscape Dynamics and (Re) Organization: Multi-scale and Multidisciplinary Approach

Part III: Ecological Processes within Landscapes
The Functioning of Populations at the Landscape Level
. Patch Theory and Functioning of Metapopulations . Multi-habitat Species . Movement in Landscapes . Landscape Dynamics and the Functioning of Populations . Population Models used in Landscape Ecology

Interspecific Relationships and Biodiversity in Landscapes
. Interspecific Relationships . Biodiversity

Geochemical Flows in Landscapes
. Buffer Zones . Erosive Phenomena and Landscape Structure . Transfers in Watersheds . Conclusion

Part IV: Applications to Landscape Management
Application of Landscape Ecology Concepts to Landscape Management and Design
. Corridor Concept Applied to Development . Considering Landscape Ecology Concepts in Establishing Transportation Infrastructures . The Development of Rural Landscapes