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8.3 Lecture Landscape ecology

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  • What is a landscape in ecology?
    An area that is spatially heterogeneous either in its elements or how those elements are arranged.
  • What are the two main components of landscape heterogeneity?
    Landscape structure (configuration of elements) and landscape composition (types and amounts of habitats).
  • Define landscape structure.
    The size, shape, composition, number, and position of landscape elements within a landscape.
  • What does landscape composition refer to?
    The kinds of habitat present and their relative amounts, e.g., % forest, grassland, wetland.
  • What is a patch in landscape ecology?
    A continuous area of one habitat type within a landscape.
  • What is the matrix in landscape ecology?
    The background mosaic or dominant habitat type surrounding patches, often unsuitable habitat.
  • Why is patch shape important?
    Patch shape affects the amount of edge habitat and edge effects, influencing species and ecological processes.
  • What is an ecotone?
    A transition zone between two different ecosystem types.
  • Name some factors that shape landscapes.
    Geological processes, climate, water and nutrient availability, fire, and organisms all influence landscape formation.
  • What is an ecosystem engineer?
    Organisms that modify their physical environment enough to influence landscape, ecosystem, and community structure.
  • Why is landscape ecology important?
    Landscape patterns regulate movement between habitats, affecting energy transfer, nutrient movement, metapopulation dynamics, and species interactions.
  • How can the matrix affect movement between patches?
    The matrix can prohibit or reduce movement between habitat patches, impacting ecological connectivity.
  • What is habitat fragmentation?
    When humans alter a landscape and reduce continuous habitat, breaking it into smaller, isolated patches.
  • List three effects of habitat fragmentation.
    1. Decreases habitat area, 2. Isolates populations by stopping gene flow, 3. Alters conditions by increasing habitat edges.
  • How does habitat fragmentation affect metapopulation dynamics?
    If the matrix is impermeable, gene flow stops and metapopulation dynamics break down.
  • What are edge effects in fragmented habitats?
    Edges have different conditions than interiors, affecting species adapted to either edge or interior habitats and altering community composition.
  • What is the SLOSS debate in reserve design?
    The debate over whether to protect a Single Large Or Several Small reserves for conservation.
  • What should be considered in designing nature reserves?
    Reserve design must consider fragmentation, heterogeneity, and spatial configuration to maximize conservation effectiveness.
  • What is the best spatial configuration for a core natural area?
    A configuration that minimizes edge effects and maximizes core habitat area, often compact and contiguous.
  • What are no-take marine reserves?
    Marine protected areas where all extractive activities are prohibited to conserve marine biodiversity.