Our fascination for landscapes is all the greater in that they are at the core of several of the great debates of the turn of the 21st century: climate change, sustainable development and environmental equity. Yet, since the 1980s, a new branch of ecology – landscape ecology – has shed new light on our understanding of the  causes and consequences of landscape transformation. This light acquires its true value when it joins the chorus of disciplines that contribute to landscape architecture and design. How can ecology join this chorus? How can we use it to invent new landscapes? This book offers some answers, as well as an ecological manual for those who live in, create, manage, plan or simply contemplate landscapes.
For the first time ever, students and teachers will find the essential elements of the work done by French-speaking European landscape architects and designers, placed in an international context. In addition, landscape architects and designers will find the modern bases of landscape ecology, in a clear and simple writing style.