Anthropogenic Geomorphology and Landscape Ecology

Abstract

Since landscape ecology is the discipline of functionally studying natural factors and anthropogenic processes in light of the present and forecasted land-use tendencies, anthropogenic geomorphology easily fits in among the various fields of landscape ecology. The spatial distribution of human structures (built-up areas, roads, railways, channels and others) is always adjusted to topographic conditions. To rank the intensity of anthropogenic impact on a qualitative range, so-called hemeroby levels have been established by German scientists. When assessing hemeroby, estimations are made for the degree of human geomorphic impact based on the rate of soil erosion, surface dissection or the abundance of terraces, escarpments and artificial excavational features. At the highest level of human impact, in urban-industrial (or urban-technical) ecosystems, even remnant patches of semi-natural ecosystems seldom occur wedged into built-up areas and into linear infrastructural elements. The micro- and meso-elements of topography are often totally destroyed by terrain modification, such as levelling for development. Relying on anthropogenic geomorphology, landscape ecology can make significant practical contributions to landscape planning.