Landscape ecologists study broad geographical patterns

Ecosystems vary greatly in size
The term “ecosystem” is most often applied to self-contained systems of moderate geographic extent
Adjacent ecosystems may share components and interact
Ecotones = transitional zones between two ecosystems in which elements of different ecosystems mix
Landscape = larger than an ecosystem and smaller than a biome
Landscape ecology = study how landscape structure affects organisms
Their abundance, distribution, and interaction
Patches = form the landscape, and are distributed spatially in complex patterns (a mosaic)
Metapopulation = a network of subpopulations
Most members stay within patches
May move among patches or mate with those of other patches
Individuals in small patches risk extinction
Conservation biology = study the loss, protection, and restoration of biodiversity