This new practical guide provides a "hands-on" approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The knowledge gained will enable students to usefully address landscape- level ecological and management issues. A variety of approaches are presented: group discussion, thought problems, written exercises, and modeling. Each exercise is categorized as to whether it is for individual, small group, or whole class study. The exercises are easily adaptable to any college's facilities.

Klappentext

Filled with numerous exercises this practical guide provides a real hands-on approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The knowledge gained enables students to usefully address landscape- level ecological and management issues. A variety of approaches are presented, including: group discussion, thought problems, written exercises, and modelling. Each exercise is categorised as to whether it is for individual, small group, or whole class study.

Inhalt

I. Introduction and Concepts of Scale: * Scale and Hierarchy Theory (Robert V. O'Neill and Mark A. Smith). * Collecting Spatial Data at Broad Scales (Sarah E. Gergel, Monica G. Turner, and David J. Mladenoff). * Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (Joshua D. Greenberg, Miles G. Logsdon, and Jerry F. Franklin).- II. Models and Causes of Landscape Pattern: * Introduction to Markov Models (Dean L. Urban and David O. Wallin). * Simulating Changes in Landscape Pattern (Eric J. Gustafson). * Creating Landscape Pattern (Hazel R. Delcourt).- III. Quantifying Landscape Pattern: * Understanding Landscape Metrics I (Jeffrey A. Cardille and Monica G. Turner). * Understanding Landscape Metrics II: Effects of Changes of Scale (Joshua G. Greenberg, Sarah E. Gergel, and Monica G. Turner). * Neutral Landscape Models (Robert H. Gardner and Steven Walters). * Scale Detection Using Semivariograms and Autocorrelograms (Michael W. Palmer).- IV. Disturbance Dynamics: * Landscape Disturbance: Location, Pattern, and Dynamics (Monica G. Turner, Daniel B. Tinker, Sarah E. Gergel, and F. Stuart Chapin, III). * Alternative Stable States (Garry D. Peterson).- V. Organism Response to Landscape Pattern: * Interpreting Landscape Patterns from Organism-Based Perspectives (Scott M. Pearson). * Landscape Context (Scott M. Pearson). * Landscape Connectivity and Metapopulation Dynamics (Kimberly A. With). * Individual-Based Modeling: The Bachman's Sparrow (John B. Dunning, Jr., David J. Stewart, and Jianguo Liu).- VI. Ecosystem Processes at Broad Scales: * Feedbacks between Organisms and Ecosystem Processes (Linda L. Wallace and Steve T. Gray). * Modeling Ecosystem Processes (Sarah E. Gergel and Tara Reed-Andersen).- VII. Applied Landscape Ecology: Integrating Across the Levels: * Reserve Design (Stanley A. Temple and John R. Cary). * Prioritizing Reserves for Acquisition (Dean L. Urban).