Landscape ecology

Landscape ecology

Introduction

The rise of many applications of land management has led to the development and popularity of landscape ecology. In definition, Landscape ecology refers to the science of studying and improving the relationship between natural ecological processes and practical ecosystems. In essence, landscape ecology explores the relationship between land use and landscape scales. However, one factor that makes landscape ecology different from other contemporary studies of land use and ecological patterns is the fact that landscape ecology studies ecological processes that occur over very significantly large areas. For example, this article focuses on landscape ecology and patterns at Fort Benning, GA. This shows how the focus of landscape ecology differs from other contemporary land use and ecological pattern studies. The focus on a wide area of land means that Landscape ecology focuses on a variety of ecosystems and not just one ecosystem. This makes the process of quantifying the similarities and differences between different land processes not only complicated, but also lengthy and requiring specific knowledge, tools, and techniques. This article discusses some of these tools and uses the information to provide to calculate the results for p=0.45 and p=1.0.

C stands for cluster of patches according to the percolation theory. The clusters calculate the number of patches in a given landscape that the percolation theory attempts to measure. However, it is also essential for landscape ecologists to acknowledge that only a horizontal edge can lead to the merge of two clusters and not vertical clusters. L, on the other hand, refers to the largest cluster in a given habitat that the percolation theory attempts to calculate. In essence, L is the abbreviation for the most extensive patches in an ecosystem. O stands from the outer edges that surround patches, while I, stands from the inner edges that surround clusters. However, outer edges and internal edges have slight differences in properties. The most notable difference is that inner edges are adjacent to unoccupied areas that are surrounded by clusters in whole and exists in the form of the hole inside a cluster. According to the information from the percolation theory, the answers to the p=0.45 are as follows, C=10, L=23, I=10 and at P=1.00, the answer is C=1, L=100, O= 40 and I=0.

The research by Olsen et al. (2007), which focused on land pattern changes as indicators of ecological change at Fort Benning, in Georgia USA is an example of how land-use impacts environmental change in land patterns or clusters (Olsen et al., p. 137). The article investigates how changes in fragmentation changes in the land over time impact the biological composition and integrity of the same land over time. The monitoring system that the authors use in calculating and evaluating the impact of military use and military installations in the Fort Benning, GA, was based on the identification of ecological indicators. From the information presented in the previous article by Klopatek and Gardner (2012), it is possible to conclude that military use of land in Port Benning, GA, is sufficient to put the land at risk of jeopardizing and has very significant negative impacts on the patches or clusters of that area. The effect of military Land use in Port Benning, GA comes in several meaningful ways; first, it degrades and fragments critical habitats for different animal species and puts their existence at risk (Klopatek & Gardner, p. 140). However, to understand better the impact of military land uses on the land at Port Benning, GA, it is essential to describe adequately the changes occurring in the ecology of the land.

Ecological landscape examination of land patterns usually provides a practical summary of the impacts of activities on land when examined over time. The analysis of the land use in Port Benning from historical perspective shows that the land has suffered significant long-term effects due to military activates. Among the most significant changes that have occurred at Port Begging, GA over time is the decline in forest land cover over time. The decline in forest cover has also ben supplemented by a concurrent increase in non-forest vegetation. This was as a result of historical data and current forest cover data calculated using the ATtILA and FRASTATS methods of calculation. Additionally, the historical and current data from the vegetation cover on the Port of Begging also indicate that the non-forest vegetation cover on steep slopes has also risen dramatically over time. The landscape changes on forest cover that has occurred in Port Begging according to historical and current data indicate how much negatively the military activities in the region have impacted the landscape ecology.

The landscape metrics of the region was also measured using the FRAGSTATS analytic tool. The analysis disclosed several changes in the landscape between the 1990s and the current era due to military activities in the region. The changes occurred in the form of increased non-forest patches and increased barren land. However, the pine tree cover in the area increased significantly over the same period. The increase in non-forest patches was accompanied by a slow rise in non-forest land in the same region over the period that was calculated. The results show how much adversely military activities in the area continue to impact the landscape ecology of the

Impacts of thresholds of connectivity

One of the ecological systems that can mostly be affected by the threshold of connectivity is the possible isolation or confinement of certain species within the environmental policy. For example, thresholds of connectivity can result in certain species that form part of ecological systems becoming isolated due to abrupt changes in the connectivity of the landscape. Thresholds of connectivity can impact different aspects of landscape ecology, including plants and animal species which are very crucial in structuring or developing landscape compositions. Understanding the relationship between landscape ecology and connectivity thresholds is very important when determining land conservation strategies. Therefore, another significant area of landscape ecology that thresholds of connectivity might impact is the implementation of conservation strategies that aim to protect and preserve the ecological systems.

Additionally, thresholds of connectivity also impact the distribution of individual species in the ecological systems such as the distribution of large carnivores. The interdependence between plants and animals in protecting and constructing the ecological systems relies on the availability of both species taking part in the process. Thresholds of connectivity cause the disappearance of one species, which also impact the presence of other species in the same ecological systems. In essence, the disappearance of plants through human activities such as the military activities in the Port of Begging may lead to subsequent demise of large carnivorous species (Zemanova et al., p. 21). An article by Zemanova et al. describes how thresholds of connectivity on plants and forests in the tropical regions may lead to connectivity thresholds for large carnivores in the area.

Critical thresholds of habitat connectivity have very significant impacts those managers of wildlife areas or regional planners should be concerned about. Critical thresholds of habitat connectivity due to human activities lead to the extinction of some types of animal species. The most impactful concern for wildlife managers should be the extinction or migration of certain species of animals from their conservation areas. The economic disadvantages associated with the disappearance of certain animal species are not new phenomena to wildlife managers. Managers are aware of the financial burdens associated with attempting to prevent the extinction of species.

Additionally, migration of animal species due to critical thresholds of habitat connectivity may also harm human activities that are found in the migration paths such as farming. For example, according to Kennedy (2003), the loss of fragmentation of habitats and ecosystems has become the most significant aspects of concern for conservationists such as wildlife managers and regional planners (Kennedy, p. 76). This is because the phenomenon causes loss of habitat for most animal species.

Conclusion

Landscape ecology provides practical and theoretical frameworks that explain and help in managing changes in ecological systems. From the discussion in this essay, it is clear that human activities such as the military activities in the Port of Begging in Georgia USA are the biggest threat to the conservation of ecological systems. Additionally, this article has also discussed the concept of thresholds of connectivity and how they impact the existence and maintenance of landscape ecology. The impact of military activities in the landscape ecology of the Port of Begging has also brought into light the reasons why wildlife managers and regional planners should be concerned about the critical threshold of habitat connectivity.

Work Cited

Kennedy, Christina. Conservation thresholds for land-use planners. Environmental Law Institute, 2003.

Klopatek, Jeffrey M., and Robert H. Gardner, eds. Landscape ecological analysis: issues and applications. Springer Science & Business Media, 2012.

Olsen, Lisa Mai, Virginia H. Dale, and Thomas Foster. “Landscape patterns as indicators of ecological change at Fort Benning, Georgia, USA.” Landscape and urban planning 79.2 (2007): 137-149.

Zemanova, Miriam A., et al. “Impact of deforestation on habitat connectivity thresholds for large carnivores in tropical forests.” Ecological Processes 6.1 (2017): 21.