A regional ecological characterization method for quality and impact assessment

Texto publicado no livro "Key Concepts in Landscape Ecology", editado por: J.W. Dover e R.G.H. Bunce (IALE-UK), correspondente aos Proceedings do Congresso Europeu da IALE em 1998.The development of a landscape ecological assessment and evaluation method applicable to the planning and management processes, and the impact assessment is the aim of this paper. A large scale characterization and evaluation methodology is tested in a 365 square km area where an intensive ecological characterization was performed. This methodology is referred to two spatial referentials: land use distribution and homogeneous landscape units, which are described in terms of their spatial distribution and attributes, their matrix, patch, or corridor character, its permeability, connectivity and complementarity. A combination of both spatial referentials allows the application of algorithms evaluating different ecological values (conservation value, productivity, heritage value, functional value). The methodology is particularly suited to be used in the assessment of ecological impacts of land use changes and the construction of local and linear infrastructures