Ebook: Learning Landscape Ecology: A Practical Guide to Concepts and Techniques

Landscape ecology continues to grow as an exciting, dynamic ecological d- cipline. With its broadscale emphasis and multidisciplinary approach, la- scape ecology lends itself both to basic research and to applications in land management, land-use planning, wildlife management, ecosystem mana- ment, and conservation biology. Landscape ecology makes a unique cont- bution to the scientific community in its attention to ecological dynamics across a broad range of spatial and temporal scales, and as a result it has - come increasingly important for students in the natural sciences to gain a - sic understanding of the subject. Colleges and universities across the United States are incorporating courses in landscape ecology into their curricula. However, nearly every book on landscape ecology is a book to be read, la- ing a hands-on approach. This text is intended to fill that void by providing a comprehensive collection of landscape ecology laboratory exercises. These teaching exercises stress the fundamental concepts of landscape ec- ogy, rather than highly specialized, technical methods. While students will gain experience using a variety of tools commonly used in landscape ecology, we stress the conceptual understanding necessary to use these techniques app- priately. This book attempts to convey the myriad approaches used by la- scape ecologists (as well as a multitude of approaches to teaching) and include group discussion, thought problems, fieldwork, data analysis, spatial data c- lection, exposure to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), simulation m- eling, analysis of landscape metrics, spatial statistics, and written exercises.

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This new practical guide provides a "hands-on" approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The fundamental knowledge gained will enable students to usefully address landscape-level ecological and management issues. It is an ideal companion to the text, Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice by Monica G. Turner, Robert H. Gardner, and Robert V. O'Neill, also published by Springer-Verlag. The book is organized into nine sections comprising 20 chapters, each of which consists of a lab focusing on an important point in the text. 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. Appendices of additional exercises using specialized technical tools of landscape ecology (for example, GIS) are supplied for instructors with appropriate equipment. The exercises in the book are easily adaptable to any college's or university's facilities.

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This new practical guide provides a "hands-on" approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The fundamental knowledge gained will enable students to usefully address landscape-level ecological and management issues. It is an ideal companion to the text, Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice by Monica G. Turner, Robert H. Gardner, and Robert V. O'Neill, also published by Springer-Verlag. The book is organized into nine sections comprising 20 chapters, each of which consists of a lab focusing on an important point in the text. 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. Appendices of additional exercises using specialized technical tools of landscape ecology (for example, GIS) are supplied for instructors with appropriate equipment. The exercises in the book are easily adaptable to any college's or university's facilities.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Scale and Hierarchy Theory....Pages 1-8
Collecting Spatial Data at Broad Scales....Pages 9-16
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)....Pages 17-31
Front Matter....Pages 33-33
Introduction to Markov Models....Pages 35-48
Simulating Changes in Landscape Pattern....Pages 49-61
Creating Landscape Pattern....Pages 62-82
Front Matter....Pages 83-83
Understanding Landscape Metrics I....Pages 85-100
Understanding Landscape Metrics II....Pages 101-111
Neutral Landscape Models....Pages 112-128
Scale Detection Using Semivariograms and Autocorrelograms....Pages 129-144
Front Matter....Pages 145-145
Landscape Disturbance....Pages 147-165
Alternative Stable States....Pages 166-183
Front Matter....Pages 185-185
Interpreting Landscape Patterns from Organism-Based Perspectives....Pages 187-198
Landscape Context....Pages 199-207
Landscape Connectivity and Metapopulation Dynamics....Pages 208-227
Individual-Based Modeling....Pages 228-245
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Feedbacks between Organisms and Ecosystem Processes....Pages 249-265
Modeling Ecosystem Processes....Pages 266-277
Front Matter....Pages 279-279
Reserve Design....Pages 281-292
Prioritizing Reserves for Acquisition....Pages 293-305
Back Matter....Pages 307-316

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This new practical guide provides a "hands-on" approach to learning the essential concepts and techniques of landscape ecology. The fundamental knowledge gained will enable students to usefully address landscape-level ecological and management issues. It is an ideal companion to the text, Landscape Ecology in Theory and Practice by Monica G. Turner, Robert H. Gardner, and Robert V. O'Neill, also published by Springer-Verlag. The book is organized into nine sections comprising 20 chapters, each of which consists of a lab focusing on an important point in the text. 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. Appendices of additional exercises using specialized technical tools of landscape ecology (for example, GIS) are supplied for instructors with appropriate equipment. The exercises in the book are easily adaptable to any college's or university's facilities.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xix
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Scale and Hierarchy Theory....Pages 1-8
Collecting Spatial Data at Broad Scales....Pages 9-16
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)....Pages 17-31
Front Matter....Pages 33-33
Introduction to Markov Models....Pages 35-48
Simulating Changes in Landscape Pattern....Pages 49-61
Creating Landscape Pattern....Pages 62-82
Front Matter....Pages 83-83
Understanding Landscape Metrics I....Pages 85-100
Understanding Landscape Metrics II....Pages 101-111
Neutral Landscape Models....Pages 112-128
Scale Detection Using Semivariograms and Autocorrelograms....Pages 129-144
Front Matter....Pages 145-145
Landscape Disturbance....Pages 147-165
Alternative Stable States....Pages 166-183
Front Matter....Pages 185-185
Interpreting Landscape Patterns from Organism-Based Perspectives....Pages 187-198
Landscape Context....Pages 199-207
Landscape Connectivity and Metapopulation Dynamics....Pages 208-227
Individual-Based Modeling....Pages 228-245
Front Matter....Pages 247-247
Feedbacks between Organisms and Ecosystem Processes....Pages 249-265
Modeling Ecosystem Processes....Pages 266-277
Front Matter....Pages 279-279
Reserve Design....Pages 281-292
Prioritizing Reserves for Acquisition....Pages 293-305
Back Matter....Pages 307-316
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