Mapping and analysis of landscape diversity

Landscapes and ecosystems all over the world are changing at an increasingly rapid rate. Systematically structured knowledge about nature’s diversity is a prerequisite for knowledge-based spatial planning and nature management. This thesis, explores methods for mapping and analysis of the diversity and distribution of ecosystems and landscapes. The thesis consists of five subprojects presented in five scientific articles. They involve a gradual progression from establishing a conceptual and theoretical framework to applying this framework to analyse and map landscape diversity throughout Norway. Main contributions include a set of general principles and methods for the systematisation of landscape diversity. The results provide new insights into the geography of Norwegian marine, coastal and inland landscapes, including the spatial distribution of landscape types, landforms, ecosystem types and other landscape elements. A wide range of current and potential applications of the findings are demonstrated, with emphasis on the relevance of the research for environmental monitoring, spatial planning and nature management