Who Are We?
The North American Regional Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE–North America) is a professional and scientific organization dedicated to the science and practice of landscape ecology throughout North America. Founded in 1986 as the United States Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (US–IALE), we became IALE–North America in 2019 so as to better reflect our multinational community, which also includes Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. IALE–North America is the largest of the more than two-dozen national and regional chapters under our parent organization, the International Association for Landscape Ecology.
Our Mission
The purpose of IALE–North America is to:
- Foster landscape ecology research and practice across North America;
- Provide a link between persons concerned with landscape ecology in North America, the International Association for Landscape Ecology, and other regional associations of IALE;
- Promote interdisciplinary research and communication among scientists, planners, and other professionals concerned with landscape ecology and colleagues in other countries under the aegis of the International Association for Landscape Ecology; and
- Promote diversity and inclusion and champion participation in landscape ecology regardless of race, religion, gender identification, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.
What Is Landscape Ecology?
Landscape ecology is an interdisciplinary science broadly concerned with the study, management, planning and design of landscapes. The transformation of landscapes by humans is arguably one of the most significant global-change issues we now face, which has precipitated a global extinction crisis and exacerbated global climate change via land-climate feedbacks. Landscape ecologists are fundamentally interested in studying how humans and other biotic and abiotic disturbances shape the landscapes around us, and how landscape structure in turn influences various socio-ecological processes and spatial flows across the landscape. The need to manage for landscape sustainability has thus become one of the grand challenges of landscape ecology, which demands contributions from diverse fields of study including ecology, geography, resource management, landscape architecture, and others.
Although landscapes are clearly the focus of study in landscape ecology, landscapes can be defined in different ways and at different scales. Landscapes are heterogeneous in form and function: they may comprise different landforms, land uses, ecosystems, habitats, species, resources, goods and services. However, landscape ecology is not limited to just the study or management of large geographic areas. Given that heterogeneity is the defining characteristic of a landscape, landscapes can be defined and studied at any scale, from a few square meters to many thousands of square kilometers. Nor is landscape ecology restricted to just the study of terrestrial or human-dominated landscapes, but can also be applied to the study of freshwater and marine "scapes." What distinguishes landscape ecology from other areas of ecology, resource management, or the landscape planning and design professions is its explicit focus on understanding the reciprocal relationship between landscape pattern and socio-ecological processes: how landscape patterns (heterogeneity) influence socio-ecological processes and how those processes in turn give rise to landscape patterns across a range of scales.
Although landscapes are clearly the focus of study in landscape ecology, landscapes can be defined in different ways and at different scales. Landscapes are heterogeneous in form and function: they may comprise different landforms, land uses, ecosystems, habitats, species, resources, goods and services. However, landscape ecology is not limited to just the study or management of large geographic areas. Given that heterogeneity is the defining characteristic of a landscape, landscapes can be defined and studied at any scale, from a few square meters to many thousands of square kilometers. Nor is landscape ecology restricted to just the study of terrestrial or human-dominated landscapes, but can also be applied to the study of freshwater and marine "scapes." What distinguishes landscape ecology from other areas of ecology, resource management, or the landscape planning and design professions is its explicit focus on understanding the reciprocal relationship between landscape pattern and socio-ecological processes: how landscape patterns (heterogeneity) influence socio-ecological processes and how those processes in turn give rise to landscape patterns across a range of scales.
Become a Member
Definitions alone fail to capture the passion, the people, and the excitement of the discipline. By browsing these pages, you can find out more about who we are and what we do, both as an organization and as researchers and practitioners. Our Annual Meetings are "right-sized" and provide ample opportunity for a diverse array of professional interactions and training opportunities. We are also an extremely "student-friendly" organization, and offer several types of Travel Awards to help defray the cost of attending our annual meetings, which include numerous social and networking events especially for students and other early-career researchers. We are a welcoming and inclusive organization, made up of a diversity of professionals representing different backgrounds, scientific and applied disciplines, academia, federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations (see our Statement and Strategic Plan to promote greater equity, inclusion, and diversity). We therefore hope you will consider joining us!
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ABOUT MEMBERSHIP:
IALE–North America memberships are by calendar year, valid January 1st through December 31st. Membership registration/renewal for the 2025 calendar year is open. By joining IALE–North America, you automatically become a member of the umbrella international organization, the International Association for Landscape Ecology (IALE). |
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
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WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM BEING A MEMBER?
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IALE–North America is a member organization of the American Institute of Biological Sciences
