Background concepts for integrated landscape analysis

Background concepts of the landscape research performed at the Department of Geography of the University of Ghent are described, discussed and illustrated with some examples. The integrated approach is based upon holism, perception and evolution. Holism allows the link between landscape ecology and perception. It explains the interaction between structure and functioning and the importance of the scale. Perception is linked to Structure, pattern recognition and learning and, thus, also to behaviour and the practical results of planning processes. Landscape evolution is based on the dynamic interaction between structure and functioning and also on history, which makes each landscape unique. The rate and magnitude of the changes in the landscape are the most important factors relating to the evolution of our landscapes. Pressures upon the landscape and values of our landscapes can be defined according to their traditional characteristics. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.