Landscape heterogeneity

13 important questions on Landscape heterogeneity

What is the difference between gradients vs mosaics?

Gradients :
no boundaries
no corridors
no patches

Mosaics: where there are distinct boundaries

How much have human interferences altered the natural heterogeneity?

50-75% of ice free terrestrial earth has been transformed by human activities

What are the mechanisms of patch interactions?

1. Topographic and land-water interactions
2. Atmospheric interactions
3. Movements of plants and animals
4. Disturbance spread
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What is a riparian community?

Ecosystem downhills where which has a key function of filtering the downstream water of nitrogen

What ways do topographic and land water interact with patches?

Gravitational redistribution
influence of landscape pattern
properties of recipient ecosystems (riparian community)

How do atmospheric transfers interact with patches?

Natural patterns:
Transfer of gases (source, sink region)
dust transfer

human impacts:
acid rain
ammonia from fertilised fields and stockyards
dust deposition from agricultural lands
altered energy exchange

How do movements form plants and animals affect patches?

Sheep carry nutrients to hilltops where they camp
salmon carry marine nutrients to streams
people transfer nutrients to cities and fields

How do disturbance spreads affect patches?

Determined by patch size and configuration
both fires and pests and pathogens spread less in small patches, but at higher frequencies

What is the largest cause of changes in landscape heterogeneity ?

Human activities
both through intensification and extensification

What examples of land use conversion do you know?

Deforestation is widespread in the tropics
reforestation in temperate zone
conversion of savannahs into agriculture
Urbanisation will continue

What is a consequence of coverting land use to agriculture?

Almost 50% decrease of soil C within decades

What examples of land use modification have you learned?

Cattle grazing on native grasslands and savannah
expansion of marine fisheries

What are the main landuses which experience intensification?

Agriculture
Aquaculture

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