Learning Landscape Ecology

Abstract

Landscape ecology continues to grow as an exciting discipline with much to offer for solving pressing and emerging problems in environmental science. Much of the strength of landscape ecology lies in its ability to address challenges over large areas, over spatial and temporal scales at which decision-making often occurs. As the world tackles issues related to sustainability and global change, the need for this broad perspective has only increased. Furthermore, spatial data and spatial analysis (core methods in landscape ecology) are critical for analyzing land-cover changes worldwide. While spatial dynamics have long been fundamental to terrestrial con- servation strategies, land management, and reserve design, mapping and spatial themes are increasingly recognized as important for ecosystem management in aquatic, coastal, and marine systems. For these reasons, there is great demand for training in spatial analysis tools accessible to a wide audience.