LANDSCAPE METRICS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF MATHEMATICAL LANDSCAPE MORPHOLOGY

Abstract

This paper discusses potential of obtaining answers to key issues related to the use of landscape metrics by applying approaches of mathematical landscape morphology. Mathematical landscape morphology that has emerged in Russia’s geography in recent years serves as the basis of the new scientific direction in landscape science. Mathematical landscape morphology deals with quantitative regularities of the development of landscape patterns and methods of mathematical analysis. The results of the research conducted have demonstrated that landscape metrics are subjected to stochastic laws specific to genetic types of territories; furthermore, these laws may be derived through mathematical analysis. It has been also shown that the informational value of different landscape metrics differs and can be predicted. Finally, some landscape metrics, based on the values derived from single observations, nevertheless allow one to provide assessment of dynamic parameters of existing processes; thus, the volume of repeated monitoring observations could be reduced. Other metrics do not posses this characteristic. All results have been obtained by applying mathematical landscape modeling.

Keywords

• landscape metrics
• mathematical landscape morphology
• landscape pattern
• mathematical models