Wildlife and Landscape Ecology: Effects of Pattern and Scale [Paperback]

While the research and management of wildlife has traditionally emphasised studies at smaller scales, it is now acknowledged that larger, landscape-level patterns strongly influence demographic processes in wild animal species. This book is the first to provide the conceptual basis for learning how larger scale patterns and processes can influence the biology and management of wildlife species. It is divided into three sections: Underlying Concepts, Landscape Metrics and Applications and Large Scale Management.Ecologists increasingly recognize the importance of scale in our understanding of nature. Landscape ecology in particular emphasizes temporal and spatial scales. While research and management of wildlife has traditionally emphasized studies at smaller scales, it is now acknowledged that larger, landscape-level patterns strongly influence demographic processes in wild animal species. This book is the first to provide the conceptual basis for learning how larger scale patterns and processes can influence the biology and management of wildlife species. It is divided into three sections: * Underlying Concepts * Landscape Metrics * Applications and Large Scale Management Wildlife and Landscape Ecology will be welcomed by scientists and managers with interest in and responsibility for the health of wild populations and their role in ecosystems.Section 1 Underlying Concepts.- 1 Scale-Sensitive Ecological Properties: Historical Context, Current Meaning.- 2 Applications of Fractal Geometry in Wildlife Biology.- 3 Taming Chaos in the Wild: A Model-Free Technique for Wildlife Population Control.- 4 Patch Dynamics: The Transformation of Landscape Structureand Function.- 5 Disturbance and Diversity in a Landscape Context.- 6 Populations in a Landscape Context: Sources, Sinks, and Metapopulations.- 7 Hierarchy Theory: A Guide to System Structure for Wildlife Biologists.- Section 2 Landscape Metrics.- 8 Neutral Models: Useful Tools for Understanding Landscape Patterns.- 9 UnlĂ3