Summary: A Checklist For Ecological Management Of Landscapes For Conservation

Read the summary and the most important questions on A checklist for ecological management of landscapes for conservation

• 3 Landscape themes

• Which broad themes in landscape ecology, restoration ecology and conservation biology were identified in the study of Lindemayer et al.?

  -Landscape classification
  -Habitat amount, amount of landcover, patch sizes and mosaics
  -Structure and condition
  -Connectivity
  -Significance of edges
  -Disturbance, resilience, recovery

• 3.1 Landscape classification

• What is meant by "landscape classification?

  Using a conceptual model to characterise a landscape based on the amount and distribution of landscape attributes.

• What types of attributes can be used to classify a landscape?

  -Structural attributes (amount or configuration of vegetation etc)
  -Suitability for a particular species
  -Functional attributes
  -Landscape processes

• What is the problem of using models like "the island model" or "Foreman's model" for characterising landscapes?

  The models are too simple, only making a difference between "habitat area" and "non habitat area". By doing so they exclude many important aspects of landscapes.

• 3.1.1 Complexity, issues and interrelationships

• Why are landscape classifications challenging in the field?

  1. Landscapes are dynamic and have complicated structures and functions. (flows of energy, water nutrients etc)
  2. Mostly used tools are maps. They do display structural aspects of the landscape, but not processes and flowpaths. (for example of nutrients)
  3. The same landscape can be perceived in many different ways.
  4. Different problems and objectives may require different classifications, even within the same landscape.

• Why is the use of classification and conceptual models so important?

  The use of these tools highlights the interlinkages between different characteristics and processes within a certain area. Which gives a more complex, but more realistic. Therefore it will be less likely to overlook a critical aspect when striving to reach a certain goal.

• What challenges do the spatial extend and pace of climate change provide for landscape classification and conceptual models? 

  There are not yet models that cope with interactions between past and ongoing changes at landscape and regional levels.

• 3.2 Habitat amount, amount of landcover, patch sizes and mosaics

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• What are the two definitions of "habitat"?

  1. The environment and other conditions suitable to be lived in by a certain species.
  2. A particular land cover type 

• What is important to determine regarding habitat when it comes to preventing species loss?

  How much habitat is needed to meet specific conservation objectives.

• Will the size of an area of a particular land cover type reflect the amount of suitable habitat for a certain species?

  No, because even though a certain area can be defined as a "native forest" certain species may still not live there because there is no "old growth" that provides a habitat for it.