Landscape Ecology

Question 1

Landscape Ecology

Answer 1

Study of spatial variation in landscapes at a variety of scales

Question 2

Core Themes of Landscape Ecology

Answer 2

Spatial pattern or structure of landscapes
Relationship between pattern and process in landscapes
Relationship of human activity to landscape pattern, process and change
Effect of scale and disturbance on the landscape

Question 3

Landscape

Answer 3

An area of land composed of a patchwork of communities

Question 4

Mosaic

Answer 4

Patchwork of different types of land cover

Question 5

Landscape Mosaic

Answer 5

Changes in the physical and biological structure of distinct communities called patches

Question 6

Matrix

Answer 6

Background land use type in a mosaic

Question 7

Patches

Answer 7

Homogenous community types that differ from their surroundings in structure and species composition

Question 8

Border

Answer 8

Place where the edge of one patch meets the edge of another

Question 9

Types of Borders

Answer 9

Narrow
Wide (ecotone)
Perforated
Sealed
Straight
Convoluted

Question 10

Inherent edges

Answer 10

Stable and permanent

Question 11

Induced Edges

Answer 11

Subject to successional changes over time

Question 12

Edge Effect

Answer 12

Phenomenon where edge communities are often quite diverse

Question 13

Corridors

Answer 13

Connect patches

Question 14

Connectivity

Answer 14

Extent to which a species can move among patches in the matrix

Question 15

Characteristics of Disturbance

Answer 15

Intensity
Frequency
Scale

Question 16

Intensity

Answer 16

Proportion of biomass lost or proportion of species killed or removed

Question 17

Frequency

Answer 17

Mean number of disturbances per time interval

Question 18

Scale

Answer 18

Spatial and temporal

Question 19

Linear Disturbances

Answer 19

Events that disrupt the structure of a population, community or ecosystem, change the availability of the resources in the physical environment and form straight line pattern in the landscape (create corridors)