LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY: WHAT IT STUDIES AND AUXILIARY DISCIPLINES - ENVIRONMENT - 2025

The landscape ecology is a discipline that is responsible for studying the transformations undergone landscapes spatial and temporal manner, taking into account the ecosystems that integrate and influence of man as a transforming factor. It uses concepts related to geography and biology with a humanistic and holistic approach.

This is so because it integrates the natural and social sciences. It brings together the fauna, flora and cultural aspects of a space. Its main functions include studying the organization of the territory to determine the impact of man on nature and then establishing the pertinent measures for environmental care and preservation.

What is it?

As its name implies, landscape ecology is the study of landscapes, especially in terms of composition, structure, and function. It also studies the interaction that living beings have with the environment and the distribution of biotic and abiotic factors.

The term was coined by one of the most representative figures of this discipline, the German geologist Carl Troll, who established the first concepts related to the subject in a series of works that included aerial photographs. These served to understand the relationships that occurred in a certain environment.

These images were called landscape mosaics, which showed the evolution of the landscape from an aerial view. Its main function is to illustrate the changes in flora and fauna and the increase in man-made works.

Some disciplines have made contributions to expand the studies on this branch. For example, the understanding of the transformations of physical structures is obtained thanks to geography, while biology allows exploring the relationships between species.

Main features

- Because his studies are multidisciplinary, he relies on geography, biology and social sciences.

- It is usually applied on large scales, although it can be put into practice in more specific landscapes.

- Seek to establish a balance between the coexistence of man and his environment.

- It allows to understand the order of the territory.

- It is used to study the dynamics generated in ecosystems.

What does landscape ecology study?

Landscape ecology mainly studies natural landscapes and those made by man as the main transforming agent in changes in a given environment. Likewise, it focuses on the following elements:

Spatial heterogeneity

Analyze the patterns and changes that occur in place, taking into account how it is taken and managed by individuals.

In addition, it considers the agents that occur in the place, the change in the relief and the disturbances that are generated. With this information, the changes that are desired from the social and cultural point of view will be achieved.

Extensive patterns

Landscape ecology takes large scales into consideration to study soil and plant patterns in depth from a visual perspective.

The role of the human being

As mentioned above, one of the main objectives of this discipline is to understand the influence of man on nature.

The construction of spaces where life and interaction is possible, while respecting the natural course of the specific environment is promoted.

Associated terms

As landscape ecology involves several disciplines in itself, it is important to familiarize yourself with a few terms:

Landscape

It is the central concept that refers to a specific geographic space with characteristics that are distinguished from other types of organic entities. Furthermore, it is heterogeneous because it contains different components of different ecosystems.

Scale

It is the representation of an object transferred to a map. Some of the components found on the scale are composition, structure, and function.

Patch

In general terms, it is a more or less homogeneous area within a landscape. It is subject to other important aspects, such as the type of soil, the integration of the relief, erosion and water flows.

Matrix

It refers to the ecological system of a landscape. It is the dominant component because it comprises a certain number of patches.

Mosaic

It is the set of patches and matrix that are manifested in the landscape.

Ecotone

It is the place where the tension between two different components is manifested. In addition, it acts as a transition area and can occur naturally or be created by man (such as, for example, an area arranged for the planting of certain food).

There may also be plant and animal species that are not characteristic of the place.

Main auxiliary disciplines

As mentioned above, landscape ecology draws on various social and natural sciences, giving it a multidisciplinary range. In this way it is possible to establish a balance between man and nature.

The main auxiliary disciplines of landscape ecology are the following:

Geography

It is linked to the ecology of the landscape because it considers the structural visions of a given landscape.

biology

Take into account the relationships of matter and energy that are present in the place.

Ecology

It considers the relationship of landscapes in relation to living beings, as well as the chemical and physical factors of the environment.

Other authors also combine it with architecture, geochemistry, geobotany, forest sciences and pedology.

Because it is important?

- Landscape ecology allows establishing the general compositions, structure and function of the elements that make up the context of the ecosystem.

- Depending on the changes that occur in a certain place, this discipline helps to avoid deeper damage in the future.

- Determine the influence and impact that the activities carried out by the human being in a landscape have had. From the fragmentation of habitats to the alteration of natural changes, landscape ecology provides solid data on this and how man can reverse them.

- Thanks to this, policies and legal initiatives have been established that encourage the consideration of establishing a balance between the human and the natural, to guarantee a harmonious coexistence.

References

1. What is landscape ecology? (2017). In Ecology Today. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Ecología Hoy from eclogiahoy.net.
2. What is landscape ecology? (2011). At Twenergy. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Twenergy de twenergy.com.
3. Ecology. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
4. Landscape ecology. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikipedia.org.
5. Ecotone. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Wikipedia at es.wikpedia.org.
6. Landscape ecology. (sf). On Wikipedia. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Wikipedia at en.wikipedia.org.
7. McGarigal, Kevin. (sf). Introduction to Landscape Ecology. At the University of Massachusetts. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. At the University of Massachusetts from umass.edu.
8. Troll, Carl. (2019). Landscape ecology. In Inecc Publications. Retrieved: February 21, 2018. In Inecc Publications of publications.inecc.gob.mx.