ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses landscape concepts including sustainability, hierarchy theory, and landscape diversity. It describes landscape approaches including problem-solving, net energy, and the use of geographic information systems. The chapter illustrates how the concept of net energy can be used as an integrative management approach. It focuses on the framework for designing sustainable agricultural landscapes. Landscape concepts and approaches most frequently encompass interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary theory and approaches. Landscape ecology focuses on the development and dynamics of spatial heterogeneity at large temporal/spatial scales. The ecological society of America in its sustainable biosphere initiative report referred to both sustainable forestry and sustainable agriculture, including needs and initiatives at the landscape level. A hierarchical framework is necessary for research and management of agroecosystems at the landscape level. Scientific research, including agroecosystem research, has all too frequently adopted a reductionist approach when a holistic or hierarchical approach should have been recognized.
