Landscape ecology and biogeography : Rethinking landscape metrics in a post-FRAGSTATS landscape

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Landscape pattern indicators or metrics provide simple measures of landscape structure that can be easily calculated with readily available data and software. The A. provides here a review of landscape measures that may better link landscape pattern and function, ranging from approaches that extend existing metrics by incorporating a more functional component (e.g. core area measures, least cost distances) to those rooted in graph, network, and electrical circuit theory. There is a need for landscape metrics because they are seen by many land managers and stakeholders as simple, intuitive tools for assessing and monitoring changes in landscape pattern and, by extension, the effects on underlying ecological processes. Future needs include : (1) the development of more user-friendly landscape analysis software that can simplify graph-based analyses and visualization; and (2) studies that clarify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches, including the potential limitations and biases in graph and network-based measures.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Progress in physical geography, issn : 0309-1333, 2012, vol. 36, n°. 3, p. 400-420, nombre de pages : 21, Références bibliographiques : 5 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, London, Sage Publications