Applying Landscape Ecology in Biological Conservation

Landscape ecology and conservation biology are rapidly developing disciplines, and a current synthesis of principles and applications in these two fields is needed under one cover. Many managers are not applying principles of landscape ecology in efforts to conserve plants and animals and yet the loss of biological diversity could be reduced if larger-scale processes and patterns were consistently considered in management and conservation decisions. This book brings together contributions from leaders in landscape ecology and addresses the issue of how what we know about landscape ecology can help us understand, manage and maintain biodiversity. The book is divided into six parts: the first part introduces the book and discusses what landscape ecology is and why it is important to conservation biology. The second deals with patches, the third part discusses corridors and biota movement, the fourth part discusses landscape change and how these affect biodiversity. The fifth part covers landscape planning. The final part presents a synthesis and draws conclusions about the utility of the landscape approach to conservation.
Ecologists, conservation biologists and landscape managers will find this book to be an essential resource for study and reference.