Landscape ecology is the study of the relationship between spatial patterns and ecological processes across large areas, examining how the arrangement of elements like forests, fields, wetlands, and urban developments affects the flow of energy, materials, and organisms. For landscape architects and designers, it provides a crucial scientific framework for understanding how to design at a regional scale, informing the creation of greenways that connect wildlife habitats, the management of watersheds to improve water quality, and the planning of resilient landscapes that can adapt to disturbances and climate change. By analyzing the structure, function, and change of a landscape over time, this field enables designers to create environments that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also ecologically sound and sustainable.