<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Ecosystems and landscapes are the two major spatial units for ecological research and practice, but their definitions and meanings are vague and ambiguous. Examining critically the meaning and complexity of both terms from a holistic landscape ecological systems view, the confusing applications of the ecosystem concept could be avoided by conceiving ecosystems as functional interacting systems, characterized for the flow of energy, matter and information between organisms and their abiotic environment. As functional systems they are intangible with vaguely defined borders. On the other hand, landscapes should be recognized as tangible, spatially and temporally well defined ecological systems of closely interwoven natural and cultural entities of the Total Human Ecosystem. Ranging from the smallest discernable landscape cell or ecotope to the global ecosphere, they serve as the spatial and functional matrix and living space for all organisms, including humans, their populations and their ecosystems. Both are medium-numbered complex ecological systems. However, the organized complexity of ecosystems is based solely on the monodimensional complexity of material processes of flow of energy/matter and biophysical information. But the organized complexity of landscapes is multidimensional and multifunctional, dealing not only with the functional dimensions of natural bio-ecological processes and the natural biophysical information, but also with the cognitive mental and perceptual dimensions, transmitted by cultural information and expressed in the closely interwoven natural and cultural landscape.</p></abstract>

Ecosystems and landscapes are the two major spatial units for ecological research and practice, but their definitions and meanings are vague and ambiguous. Examining critically the meaning and complexity of both terms from a holistic landscape ecological systems view, the confusing applications of the ecosystem concept could be avoided by conceiving ecosystems as functional interacting systems, characterized for the flow of energy, matter and information between organisms and their abiotic environment. As functional systems they are intangible with vaguely defined borders. On the other hand, landscapes should be recognized as tangible, spatially and temporally well defined ecological systems of closely interwoven natural and cultural entities of the Total Human Ecosystem. Ranging from the smallest discernable landscape cell or ecotope to the global ecosphere, they serve as the spatial and functional matrix and living space for all organisms, including humans, their populations and their ecosystems. Both are medium-numbered complex ecological systems. However, the organized complexity of ecosystems is based solely on the monodimensional complexity of material processes of flow of energy/matter and biophysical information. But the organized complexity of landscapes is multidimensional and multifunctional, dealing not only with the functional dimensions of natural bio-ecological processes and the natural biophysical information, but also with the cognitive mental and perceptual dimensions, transmitted by cultural information and expressed in the closely interwoven natural and cultural landscape.

Ecosystem and Landscapes - A Critical Comparative Appraisal

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200 Israel

Journal of Landscape Ecology

{"article-title":"Ecosystem and Landscapes - A Critical Comparative Appraisal"}

Ecosystems and landscapes are the two major spatial units for ecological research and practice, but their definitions and meanings are vague and ambiguous....

Ecosystem and Landscapes - A Critical Comparative Appraisal

Published Online: Aug 08, 2012

Page range: 64 - 81

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10285-012-0024-1

Keywords
Holistic landscape ecology, ecosystem ecology, transdisciplinarity, ecological complexity, medium numbered systems

This content is open access.

Ecosystem and Landscapes - A Critical Comparative Appraisal

Published Online: Aug 08, 2012

Page range: 64 - 81

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10285-012-0024-1

KeywordsHolistic landscape ecology, ecosystem ecology, transdisciplinarity, ecological complexity, medium numbered systems

This content is open access.

Keywords
Holistic landscape ecology, ecosystem ecology, transdisciplinarity, ecological complexity, medium numbered systems