VITAL LANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES - MISSING TOOLS FOR RESTORATION ECOLOGY

Twenty-three ''vital ecosystem attributes'' (VEAs) were previously pro posed to aid in quantitative evaluation of whole ecosystem structure, composition, and functional complexity over time. We here introduce a series of 16 quantifiable attributes for use at a higher spatial scale and ecological organizational level, the landscape. ''Vital landscape attributes'' (VLAs) should be useful in evaluating the results of eco logical restoration or rehabilitation undertaken with a landscape pers pective, provided that clear definitions and boundaries are agreed upo n for the different spatial and ecological entities involved. Like VEA s, VLAs should be sensitive to changes wrought by human as well as to nonhuman factors leading to ruptures in flow processes or vegetation ' 'switches.'' They should be applicable over a wide range of landscape types and therefore aid in conducting rigorous interlandscape comparis ons. We present three groups of VLAs: (1) landscape structure and biot ic composition, (2) functional interactions among ecosystems within th e landscape, and (3) degree, type, and causes of landscape fragmentati on and degradation. Ecotones between ecosystems are touched upon by se veral different VLAs. Because conflicting terminology abounds in this area, we append a glossary defining the problematic terms used.