Ecology

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Ecology the study of the interactions among
organisms and their environment. Landscape
area-wide mosaic over which local ecosystems,
land covers and land uses exist.
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The landscape is a mosaic of forms and patterns
arranged spatially. This mosaic is composed of a
pattern of patches and corridors within a more or
less uniform matrix.
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Patch shapes
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Patch as a depression, with clump of trees
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Smooth grassy hilltop contrasted with shrubs
below the trail.
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Disturbance in patch - lightening strike in
mangrove forest
Deforestation in Brazil
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Alluvial fan in California
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Vegetation patterns extending along mountain
ridges
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Central pivot irrigation
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Sun city development
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(No Transcript)
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Agricultural fields
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Patch on edge of water
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Man-made patch with edge
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Vegetation patches that extend along a stream
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Elongated patches of development along the
Mississippi in LA.
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Patches of kelp
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Five distinct forms

1. Patch
2. Edge
3. Corridor
4. Intersection
5. Mosaic

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1. Patch / matrix
Patch of native grass
Mussel bed patch
Matrix of alpine vegetation
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2. Edge
Edge of red fir patch
Straight or convoluted?
Edge marked by change in eco-tone?
Or by man-made path? Transitional or abrupt?
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3. Corridors Networks
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Corridors, networks and landscape connectivity
Pan-European Ecological Network concept
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4. Intersection - the intersection of corridors
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5. Mosaic
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• Five Main Ecological Functions
• Barrier (eg. to keep invasive species out or to
  protect a specie)
• Filter (water, noise, soil contaminants)
• Conduit (for specie migration, dispersal, daily
  commuting)
• Source (reproduction, nesting, spawning)
• Sink (energy/solar, species)