1 Patterns and processes in a landscape under stress: the study area.- 1 Patterns and processes in a landscape under stress: the study area.- 1.1 Introduction.- 1.2 Landscape types.- 1.3 Modern land use.- 1.4 Spatial relations.- 1.5 Effects of modern land use on natural ecosystems.- 1.6 Nature conservation strategies.- References.- One Spatial Relations by Water Flows.- 2 Nutrient enrichment of freshwater wetlands.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Enlarged inputs: rain, groundwater, surface water.- 2.3 Hydrology and soil conditions as factors controlling nutrient availability.- 2.4 Control of plant growth by nutrient availability.- 2.5 Consequences of nutrient enrichment for species composition.- 2.6 Implications for management.- References.- 3 Linking ecological patterns to hydrological conditions on various spatial scales: case study of small stream valleys.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Landscape analysis on a regional scale.- 3.3 Landscape analysis on a local scale.- 3.4 Evaluation of the hydroecological approach.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 4 Hydroecological modelling in a polder landscape: a tool for wetland management.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Landscape ecological characteristics of polder areas.- 4.3 The data: variables and sampling procedure.- 4.4 Processing the data to a model.- 4.5 Application of the hydroecological model.- 4.6 Discussion and conclusions.- References.- Two Spatial Relations by Air Flows.- 5 Atmospheric nitrogen deposition and its impact on terrestrial ecosystems.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Spatial variation in the deposition of nitrogen.- 5.3 Accumulation and mineralization of nitrogen.- 5.4 Effects on the competitive balance between plant populations and the dynamics of species composition.- 5.5 Conclusions.- References.- 6 Ditch banks as a conservation focus in intensively exploited peat farmland.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Effect studies on ditch banks.- 6.3 Model study of the nitrogen balance of banks.- 6.4 Compatibility of ditch-bank management with current dairy farming practice.- 6.5 General discussion and concluding remarks.- References.- Three Spatial Relations by Moving Organisms.- 7 Population responses to landscape fragmentation.- 7.1 Fragmentation in the Dutch landscape.- 7.2 Ecology of spatially structured populations.- 7.3 Observations of fragmented populations.- 7.4 Discussion.- References.- 8 Metapopulation models for impact assessment of fragmentation.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Modelling strategy.- 8.3 On the risk of extinction.- 8.4 Winking patches metapopulation models.- 8.5 Structured metapopulaion models.- 8.6 Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- Four Methods and Concepts of Landscape Planning.- 9 Landscape planning for nature restoration: comparing regional scenarios.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 A regional case study: the Central Open Space Project.- 9.3 Four scenarios for nature restoration.- 9.4 COSMO, a tool for evaluating the scenarios.- 9.5 Results of the evaluation for nature restoration.- 9.6 Discussion.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 10 The framework concept and the hydrological landscape structure: a new perspective in the design of multifunctional landscapes.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 The hydrological landscape structure.- 10.3 The hydrological landscape structure and land use in the Twente region.- 10.4 A landscape plan for the study area in Twente.- 10.5 Evaluation.- References.- 11 Nature conservation and extraction of drinking water in coastal dunes: the Meijendel area.- 11.1 Introduction.- 11.2 Coastal dunes in The Netherlands, landscape ecological structure.- 11.3 The coastal dunes of The Netherlands as an area for the extraction of drinking water.- 11.4 The Meijendel dunes near The Hague: a case study.- 11.5 Conclusions.- Acknowledgements.- References.- 12 Artificial wetlands: a device for restoring natural wetland values.- 12.1 Eutrophication of wetlands.- 12.2 Artificial wetlands for eutrophication control.- 12.3 Eutrophication of wetlands in the Green Heart of Holland.- 12.4 Management strategies for ecological recovery of the wetlands in the Green Heart of Holland.- 12.5 Perspectives for application of artificial wetlands in the Green Heart.- 12.6 Conclusions.- References.- 13 Water relations in urban systems: an ecological approach to planning and design.- 13.1 Introduction.- 13.2 Step 1: Programme.- 13.3 Step 2: Rhythm.- 13.4 Step 3: Orientation.- 13.5 Step 4: Situation.- 13.6 Step 5: Adjusted technology.- 13.7 Discussion.- References.- Acknowledgements.