Landscape ecology focuses on spatial heterogeneity or the idea that wherethings are and where they are in relation to other things can have importantconsequence... » 

Landscape ecology focuses on spatial heterogeneity or the idea that wherethings are and where they are in relation to other things can have importantconsequences for a wide range of phenomena. Landscape ecology integrates humanswith natural ecosystems and brings a spatial perspective to such fields asnatural resource management conservation and urban planning.The thirtyseven papers included in this volume present the origins anddevelopment of landscape ecology and encompass a variety of perspectivesapproaches and geographies. The editors begin with articles that illuminatethe disciplines diverse scientific foundations such as L. S. Bergs keystonepaper outlining a geoecological analysis based on soil science physicalgeography and geology. Next they include selections exemplifying landscapeecologists growing awareness of spatial pattern the different ways theyincorporated scale into their work the progression of landscape ecology from aqualitative to a quantitative discipline and how concepts from landscapeecology have come to permeate ecological research and influence landusepolicy conservation practices landscape architecture and geography. Togetherthese articles provide a solid introduction to what is now widely recognized asan important area of research and application that encourages new ways ofthinking about natural and humandominated ecosystems. «