Landscape ecology: science and action

IALE encourages landscape ecologists to transcend boundaries and to work together building theory and developing knowledge of landscape pattern and process, developing integrative tools, and making them applicable to real landscape situations and applying them to solve problems.

Throughout the world, landscapes are being altered more rapidly, more extensively, and more profoundly than at any point in human history. Comprehensive land use planning and sound land use policy are still the exception, but should become the rule. Members of IALE have a critical role to play.

Applying landscape ecology stimulates the integration of various disciplines. Therefore, landscape ecology should always look for opportunities for action. Landscape ecologists make assumptions and uncertainties explicit whenever relevant, point out our risks for the decision maker, and always strive to improve the applicability and accuracy of their tools.