Landscape Ecology: A spatial-ecological approach

GEOG30152 Landscape Ecology: A spatial-ecological approach 20 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 3 Matthew Dennis Unit coordinator Geography 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 This unit introduces the theory, concepts and application of landscape ecology focusing on developing a deep understanding of the relationship between pattern and process for an ecological understanding of landscapes.Students will be introduced to the core ideas in the discipline of landscape ecology. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of theoretical foundations, have gained hands-on experience of landscape assessment and modelling methods, and acquired skills in statistical techniques employed in landscape ecology. Students will also have a firm grasp of social-ecological systems and the policy landscape influencing biodiversity science and restoration.    This unit introduces the theory, concepts and application of landscape ecology focusing on developing a deep understanding of the relationship between pattern and process for an ecological understanding of landscapes.Students will be introduced to the core ideas in the discipline of landscape ecology. By the end of the course, students will have a deep understanding of theoretical foundations, have gained hands-on experience of landscape assessment and modelling methods, and acquired skills in statistical techniques employed in landscape ecology. Students will also have a firm grasp of social-ecological systems and the policy landscape influencing biodiversity science and restoration.    Introduce students to the theory and practice of landscape ecology  Equip students with the knowledge and skills to apply ecological concepts to landscape-scale problems, to critically assess methods and theoretical positions in landscape ecological analysis, and to communicate results to academic and non-academic audiences.    <ul><li> Describe and explain the fundamental principles and theory supporting a landscape-oriented view of ecology.</li><li>Recognise the application and influence of landscape ecology principles in conservation, restoration and land management policy and practice.</li></ul>  <ul><li>Describe, synthesise and critically assess a range of theoretical positions and debates in landscape ecology.</li><li>Demonstrate the application of key areas of landscape ecology theory to ecological problems in the context of the current biodiversity crisis.</li></ul>  <ul><li>Perform statistical analysis on ecological datasets including spatial, regression-based and ordination analysis.</li><li>Create landscape models and carry out spatial data analysis.</li></ul>  <ul><li>Communicate the science of landscape ecology in clear language to academic and non-academic audiences.</li><li>Apply problem-oriented thinking and data handling and analysis, to write accurate, focused and well-informed technical reports.  </li></ul>   Typical syllabus (indicative curriculum content): W1.       Landscape Ecology: Introduction to the Pattern-Process ParadigmW2.       Landscape Representation    W3.       Landscape Models: Matrix, Mosaics and Metrics  W4.       Species-environment responses  W5.       Field visit - Bikershaw Nature Recovery landscapeW6.       Study WeekW7.       Landscape HeterogeneityW8.       Landscape Connectivity and the fragmentation-biodiversity debateW9.      Restoration and Community EcologyW10.     Statistical EcologyW11.     Urban Ecology and Social-ecological systemsW12.    Field visit – Landscapes for Water      The module will be delivered through eight two-hour lectures, four one-hour computer practicals and two five-hour field trips. The fieldtrips are day trips within easy reach of Manchester and will require coach travel to the field site and back.  All materials will be delivered synchronously but with asynchronous access to materials and practical instructions.  Links to all resources are made available through the course Canvas page.  0 Other 100% Formative Assessment Task:2 x online interactive quizzes (through Canvas VLE with automatic marking and links to additional resources)10 minutes per quizFeedback: Automated through online software Summative Assessment Task:[A1] Essay on the fundamental principles of landscape ecology in the context of the broader fields of ecology, geography and environmental science  Written essay (2000)Written feedback through Canvas, 15 working days after submission.Weighting: 40%[A2] Student-led project on one of the real-world landscapes visited on the course. This will be based on an assessment of biodiversity status, ecological connectivity and restoration potential *Report format, with statistical analysis deliverables (2000 words document)Written feedback through Canvas, 15 working days after submission.Weighting: 60%  Y Chetcuti, J., Kunin, W.E. and Bullock, J.M., 2022. Species' movement influence responses to habitat fragmentation. Diversity and Distributions, 28(10), pp.2215-2228.Dennis, M. and Huck, J.J. (forthcoming) Understanding Landscape Ecology: A spatial ecological approach.  Dennis, M. and Huck, J.J., 2025. The Continuity‐Contiguity Problem in Fragmentation‐Biodiversity Research. Journal of Biogeography, 52(4), p.e15077.Dennis, M., Huck, J.J., Holt, C.D., Bispo, P.D.C., McHenry, E., Speak, A. and James, P., 2024. Land-cover gradients determine alternate drivers of mammalian species richness in fragmented landscapes. Landscape Ecology, 39(8), p.146.Dennis, M., Huck, J., Holt, C., McHenry, E., Andersson, E., Sharma, S. and Haase, D., 2026. Beyond the patch: leveraging functional habitat delineation in fragmentation-biodiversity research. Landscape Ecology.de Souza Leite, M., Tambosi, L.R., Romitelli, I. and Metzger, J.P., 2013. Landscape ecology perspective in restoration projects for biodiversity conservation: a review. Natureza & Conservação, 11, pp.108-118.Fahrig, L., 2013. Rethinking patch size and isolation effects: the habitat amount hypothesis. Journal of biogeography, 40(9), pp.1649-1663. Fahrig, L., 2017. Ecological responses to habitat fragmentation per se. Annual review of ecology, evolution, and systematics, 48, pp.1-23.Farina, A., 2022. Principles and methods in landscape ecology: An agenda for the second millennium. In Principles and Methods in Landscape Ecology: An Agenda for the Second Millennium (pp. 1-42). Cham: Springer International Publishing.Fletcher, R.J., Smith, T.A., Troy, S., Kortessis, N., Turner, E.C., Bruna, E.M. and Holt, R.D., 2024. The prominent role of the matrix in ecology, evolution, and conservation. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 55.Forman, R.T., 1995. Land mosaics: the ecology of landscapes and regions. Cambridge university press.Fu, B., Liu, Y., Zhao, W. and Wu, J., 2025. The emerging “pattern-process-service-sustainability” paradigm in landscape ecology. Landscape Ecology, 40(3), p.54.Fu, B.J. and Lu, Y.H., 2006. The progress and perspectives of landscape ecology in China. Progress in Physical Geography, 30(2), pp.232-244.Kayitete, L., Sinayitutse, E. and Dennis, M., 2025. Spatial distribution and climate dependency of the hooded vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) in east Africa: Implications for conservation beyond protected areas. Basic and Applied Ecology.Levin, S.A., 1992. The problem of pattern and scale in ecology: the Robert H. MacArthur award lecture. Ecology, 73(6), pp.1943-1967.MacArthur, R.H. & Wilson, E.O. 1967. The Theory of Island Biogeography. Princeton University Press, Princeton.With, A. 2019. Essentials of landscape ecology. Oxford University Press.Wu, J., Buyantuev, A., Fernandez, I., Gilman, J., Jenerette, G.D. and Wang, X., 2024. Forty milestones in landscape ecology: commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Allerton Park workshop. Landscape Ecology, 39(12), p.216.Wu, J., He, C., Huang, G. and Yu, D., 2013. Urban landscape ecology: Past, present, and future. In Landscape ecology for sustainable environment and culture (pp. 37-53). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands.Wu, J. and Loucks, O.L., 1995. From balance of nature to hierarchical patch dynamics: a paradigm shift in ecology. The Quarterly review of biology, 70(4), pp.439-466.  Fieldwork 10 Lectures 16 Practical classes & workshops 4 0 170