landscape ecology

Landscape Ecology:Sustainable Urban Landscape Patterns

The Language of Landscape Ecology

Elements and anatomy• Patches • Edges • Corridors• Mosaics

spatial theory with no distinction between built and natural environments

Patches

origins of patches:• remnant• introduced• disturbance• resource

protection

Patch dynamics

large patches have more coredividing a patch creates more edge

Patch dynamics

a critical mass of interdependent activity is lost when urban cores are segmented

Patch dynamics

Patch dynamics

large patches have higher population and less likelihood of extinction over time

time

Patch dynamics

large patches have higher population and less likelihood of extinction over time

Patch dynamics

smaller, under-populated neighborhoods may be lost over time

time

Patch dynamics

smaller, isolated elements may be lost over time

Patch dynamics

large patches have more habitat diversity and greater population diversity

Patch dynamics

large urban areas have more settings, encouraging more diverse populations and activities

Patch dynamics

large urban areas have more diverse populations

Patch dynamics

a system of small patches may support a comparable amount of activity, though diverse in type

Patch dynamics

Patch dynamics

a network of districts or activities in an urban area may perform competitively with larger ones

Patch dynamics

Patch dynamics

Portland, Oregon grid of patches

Patch dynamics

Portland, Oregon

Patch dynamics

patches closer to a larger patch will be more likely to maintain their populations; farther patches risk extinction

Patch dynamics

Patch dynamics

villages closer to the urban core are more likely to have sustained occupancy and activity

Patch dynamics

Edges

characteristics of edges:• cross-section• straight or convoluted• width• vulnerability• transitional• filtering/buffering

Edges

Abrupt edges encourage parallel movement.

Edges

Pastureland at forest edge

Edges

Abrupt edges encourage parallel movement and discourage lateral movement.

Edges

Ovieto

Edges

Suburban to rural sprawl

Edges

Convoluted edges have more length, and contain coves and lobes, encouraging movement through them.

Edges

Patterns that relate to CONTACT and EXCHANGE are valid for both built and natural systems

Edges

Hong Kong

Edges

Vertical change that is less abrupt has more structural diversity.

Edges

Directional forces (sun, wind) produce wider edges.

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Edges

Directional forces (microclimate, people) produce wider edges.

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Edges

Convoluted edges foster more +/- interaction.

Corridors

characteristics of corridors:• connect shrinking patches• allow continuity and movement• may dissect patches• create barriers• filter movement

rivers power lines hedgerows canals roadways bikeways tunnels

Corridors

Continuity and width influence the function of corridors.

Biodiversity Corridors

Pedestrian Corridors

Continuity and width influence the function of corridors.

Corridors

Oxford Circus (London)

Corridors

Continuity and width influence the function of corridors, also when they are barriers.

Corridors

“Stepping stones” may provide most corridor functions.

Parallel Corridors

River corridors with vegetation corridors have mutual benefits.

Parallel Corridors

Road corridors benefit from parallel pedestrian corridors.

Corridor constraints

Corridors

(San Antonio, TX)

Corridors

Austin, TX

The case of Thorton Creek

Seattle, WA

The case of Thorton Creek

680-acre watershed

Corridors of patches

Ladder patterns may be more effective than narrow parallel corridors for streams.

Corridors

Willamette River

Corridors-Urban Core

Parallel corridors with street treesmay or may not have mutual benefits.


Ladder patterns may be more effective than narrow parallel corridors for roads.


30 units (sites) for buffer


17 units (sites) for buffer

Ladder Pattern-Pocket Parks

Mosaics

characteristics of mosaics:• pattern• scale• connectivity• networks• circuitry• mesh size

Mosaics

Pattern is created by the arrangement and layering of spatial geometry.

landscape ecology

Environment