Conceptual and Practical Boundaries of Ecological Landscape Design and Landscape Ecology

Hassan Darabi¹ Fereshteh Rahdar² Amir Houshang Ehsani³ Milad Golmohammadi⁴ Abdolhossein Hoveyzavi⁵

1) 3. Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment, Department of Environmental Design Engineering, University of Tehran,
2) PhD Candidate, Environmental Design Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran,
3) Associate Professor, Faculty of Environment, Department of Environmental Design, University of Tehran,
4) PhD Candidate, Environmental Design Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran,
5) 2. Ph.D. Student, Environmental Design Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran,

Publication : 2nd International Congress on Sustainable Urban Engineering and Development (dtuconf.com)
Abstract :
This study employs a combined bibliometric and network analysis approach to systematically delineate the differences between Ecological Landscape Design and Landscape Ecology as two distinct yet interacting fields. While Landscape Ecology is concerned with the theoretical modeling of spatial-ecological processes at macro scales, Ecological Landscape Design applies ecological principles in practice-oriented, site-specific interventions aimed at sustainability. Using separate datasets from internationally peer-reviewed literature, we apply co-word analysis, citation network mapping, and comparative visualization of word clouds tailored for each concept. Our results reveal that Ecological Landscape Design emphasizes applied strategies in ecosystem management, while Landscape Ecology focuses on conceptual and spatial frameworks. The study highlights a productive interaction between these fields, where the integration of design practices and theoretical constructs yields enriched insights for sustainability science and policy. This synergy advances both academic understanding and practical applications, underscoring the importance of consistent terminology and interdisciplinary dialogue in landscape-related research.
Keywords : Sustainability Science Bibliometric Analysis Word Cloud Interdisciplinary Research