The language of landscape ecologists and planners - A comparative content analysis of concepts used in landscape ecology

Landscape ecologists and planners are dealing with a largely similar area of interest. Scientists studying landscapes offer new insights about the processes acting in different spatial structures and scales. This understanding can be useful for planners who are principally involved in optimization of the use of space or the improvement of the environmental conditions. The basic key for a successful application of the scientific knowledge is good communication and reciprocity in understanding. The goals of landscape researchers and planners are different and so are many of their concepts and theories. Also. the time limits, the means and possibilities for realizing their objectives might be very different and follow different rules. A successful implementation of landscape ecology in practical applications of environmental and spatial planning demands careful thought how landscape ecological concepts and thoughts can be translated and communicated to people who have to consider much more aspects than just the one dealing with the landscape. Key concepts, theories and methods from landscape ecology and environmental and spatial planning are compared and evaluated. Possible connections and misunderstanding are discussed and suggestions are made to improve the interaction and to extend the interdisciplinary approach in landscape research. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.