Modeling Forest Landscape Dynamics

The landscape is a mosaic of ecosystem elements, which changes in size, shape, spatial arrangement, and quality of the patches/elements due to complex, multi-scalar processes which influence the ecosystem''s biotic components. The changes in the abiotic and biotic assets of a landscape are referred to as landscape dynamics. Changes in the structure of the landscape will have implications on ecosystem functions and processes. Landscape dynamics driven by land use land cover (LULC) changes due to anthropogenic activities are affecting ecology, biodiversity, hydrological regime, and hence people''s livelihood. There has been increasing apprehensions about environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources due to uncontrolled anthropogenic activities, and their consequences on long-term sustainability of socio-economic systems around the world. This necessitates an understanding of landscape dynamics and the visualisation of likely changes for evolving appropriate strategies for prudent management of natural resources. This publication provides insights to LULC dynamics of forest ecosystems, which will help in the prudent management of ecosystems.