What Is Landscape Ecology?
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Landscape ecology is more than just the ecology of large geographic areas, although many landscape ecologists do work at those scales. It is more than just remote sensing or GIS, although those research tools are frequently used by landscape ecologists. It is about more than land management or landscape planning and design, although those fields are influenced by the science and practice of landscape ecology. What distinguishes landscape ecology from other areas of ecology, conservation, resource management, or the landscape planning and design professions is its explicit focus on understanding the relationship between spatial pattern and process: how spatial patterns influence socio-ecological processes and how those processes give rise to spatial patterns. Landscapes are spatially complex: they are heterogeneous and may be comprised of different land forms, ecosystems, land uses, habitats, seral stages, species, and resources. Landscape ecologists are fundamentally interested in studying how humans and other biotic and abiotic disturbances shape the landscapes around us, and how that landscape heterogeneity in turn influences the distribution and flow of species, water, nutrients, materials, information (genes), goods and services across the landscape. 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." Given that heterogeneity is the defining characteristic of a landscape, landscapes can be defined (and studied) at any scale, relevant to the process or species being studied.
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There are textbooks and review articles that provide excellent definitions of landscape ecology, but such definitions don’t always capture the passion, the people, and the excitement of the discipline. These pages introduce you to the International Association for Landscape Ecology - North American Regional Chapter (IALE-North America). By browsing these pages, you can find out who we are, and what we do, both as an association and as researchers. Our membership fees are very reasonable; please consider joining us!
Mission of IALE-North America
The purpose of the Regional Chapter shall be 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.
Become a Member
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IALE-North America memberships are by calendar year, valid January 1st through December 31st. Membership registration/renewal for the remainder of the 2021 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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Stay Connected!
Message from the (now past!) President
Dear landscape ecology community,
This is my final note to you all, as our new President of IALE-North America, Kim With, takes the reins. It has been tough being the “pandemic President,” with communication restricted to Zoom and email. I think that coronavirus taught us all that although there are effective modes of online communication, there is no substitute for in-person dialogue. I am looking forward to when we can gather again in person.
I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a wonderful group of people who served on the Executive Committee (Caitlin, Payton, Kate, both of the Kristins, Betty, Li, Jessica, Jeff, Tom, Jelena, Yessica, Steve, and Kim), Leslie Pelch of Delaney Meeting & Event Management, and members of all of the standing and ad-hoc committees. Their hard work led to several notable achievements:
All of these efforts will continue to positively affect us far into the future. I am so proud of this organization; thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve as its President.
Sincerely,
Nancy McIntyre
President Emeritus, IALE-North America
Department of Biological Sciences
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-3131 USA
nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu
This is my final note to you all, as our new President of IALE-North America, Kim With, takes the reins. It has been tough being the “pandemic President,” with communication restricted to Zoom and email. I think that coronavirus taught us all that although there are effective modes of online communication, there is no substitute for in-person dialogue. I am looking forward to when we can gather again in person.
I have been extremely fortunate to have worked with a wonderful group of people who served on the Executive Committee (Caitlin, Payton, Kate, both of the Kristins, Betty, Li, Jessica, Jeff, Tom, Jelena, Yessica, Steve, and Kim), Leslie Pelch of Delaney Meeting & Event Management, and members of all of the standing and ad-hoc committees. Their hard work led to several notable achievements:
- In response to membership needs, a new Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee was formed to identify ways of increasing representation among our members. Led by Kristin Byrd with input from a large number of people (Nathan Alexander, Shyam Thomas, Xavier Haro-Carrión, Falk Huettmann, Georgina Sanchez, Kristin Brazunias, Li An, Dave Bell, Kusum Naithani, Miguel Villarreal, Sophie Taddeo, Kelly Green Guilbeau, Yessica Rico, Yolanda Wiersma, and Sandra Haire), this committee solicited member feedback and developed a statement of diversity, equity, and inclusion that was codified into a thoughtful and thorough five-year Strategic Plan. We have already started implementing action items in this Plan.
- Members of the EID and Communications Committees are putting the final touches on an Ambassador Program to help promote membership in IALE-North America.
- A mentorship program was developed and implemented, pairing students and early career professionals with seasoned landscape ecologists.
- Conference accessibility was increased by providing content in multiple languages and by additional financial support for attendance from non-US students and from members of traditionally underrepresented groups.
- A small grants program is being developed to financially support research in landscape ecology conducted by students and early career professionals.
All of these efforts will continue to positively affect us far into the future. I am so proud of this organization; thank you all for giving me the opportunity to serve as its President.
Sincerely,
Nancy McIntyre
President Emeritus, IALE-North America
Department of Biological Sciences
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409-3131 USA
nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu
