This contribution is based on the assumption that solutions to most environmental problems will require the application of knowledge based on an understanding of how ecosystems and landscapes function and how they are linked in time and space. I also assume that almost all plans to solve environmental problems will be made with the knowledge that they are based on a limited and imperfect scient...

In this paper I describe some of the ways in which landscape ecology principles have been incorporated into land use planning and change. In Scotland we have tried developing landscape-scale or regional plans for land use change to resolve issues of habitat fragmentation – the ‘big plans’ of the title. We have also developed ‘little plans’ – much smaller proposals based on individual designated...

Searching for technological and organizational innovations is a fundamental activity in social systems. Recent work in this area has focused on the notion of firms locally searching for high points on a “fitness landscape.” Here we show how the presence of neutral networks forming pathways of temporarily inconsequential changes can alter the potential of innovation in such worlds. In particular...

Mosaics are orbits of partitions arising from music theoretical investigations. Various theorems from the field of “enumeration under finite group actions” are applied for enumerating mosaics. In other words, it is demonstrated how to enumerate G-orbits of partitions of given size, block-type or stabilizer-type.

Thousands of Late Pleistocene remains are found in sites throughout Beringia. These specimens comprise an Ice Age genetic museum, and the DNA contained within them provide a means to observe evolutionary processes within populations over geologically significant time scales. Phylogenetic analyses can identify the taxonomic positions of extinct species and provide estimates of speciation dates. ...

With the changing immigrant population and rising real-estate prices in downtown Washington, D.C., the number of Chinese residents and businesses in its Chinatown has declined in recent years. Meanwhile, non-Chinese stores and restaurants have marched into this thriving neighborhood. Foreseeing the threat of Chinatown’s disappearance from the urban landscape, leaders of the local Chinese commun...

Evaluating ecological patterns and processes is crucial for the conservation of ecosystems [1]. In this view, remote sensing is a powerful tool for monitoring their status and change. This involves several tasks like biodiversity estimate, landscape ecology, and species distribution modeling, to name a few [2]. Due to the difficulties associated with field-based data collection [3], the use of ...

degradation model was introduced as an instrument of environmental impact assessment (eia) in iran. several methods are introduced in rapid environmental assessment, but none of them have evaluated landscape level. thus, the main objective of this research is to introduce a new spatial method for eia by using landscape metrics. a benefit of rapid assessment by using ecological landscape metrics...

Quality of urban areas and improvement of it have always been considered as one of the main issues in the process of urbanization. It might be possible to consider this importance as the result of fundamental changes in intellectual patterns during the past two decades in one side and its proposal in all aspects of human life on the other side though this is one of the main influential concepts...

Field Station Fabrikschleichach, Glashuettenstrasse 5, 96181 Rauhenebrach, Germany UFZ – Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Dept. of Conservation Biology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany IBE, Landscape Ecology Group, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, PO Box 2503, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany UFZ – Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle, Dept. of Community Ec...