Landscape refers to a portion of the Earth’s surface that can be comprehended at a glance, encompassing the physical elements of landforms such as mountains, hills, water bodies, vegetation, and human-made features like cities and infrastructure. It embodies the interaction of natural and human factors over time, shaping a space with a unique character. In the context of ecology, environment, and urban development, landscape is not simply a scenic view but a dynamic and functional unit where ecological processes, human activities, and environmental systems converge.

Landscape ecology is the study of spatial patterns, ecological processes, and the interactions between them across heterogeneous areas. It examines how landscape structure affects the abundance and distribution of organisms, energy flows, and ecological processes. Originating in Europe during the early 20th century, landscape ecology gained prominence in the 1980s, particularly through the work of Richard T.T. Forman and Michel Godron. This field bridges the gap between ecology and land-use planning, focusing on the interplay between spatial heterogeneity (the varied physical and biological components of landscapes) and ecological functioning.

A fundamental principle of landscape ecology is that the spatial arrangement of different elements—such as forests, rivers, wetlands, and urban areas—greatly influences ecological dynamics. These spatial patterns are determined by natural