Landscape Signature as an Integrative View of Landscape Metrics: A Case Study in Brazil-French Guiana Border

Abstract

The present work presents an integrated view of landscape analysis through the construction of a signature system for the analysis of landscape types. These signatures were based on metrics that informed different patterns for each landscape type, which allowed the behavior of the landscape to be visually analyzed. The signature system was applied through a landscape classification developed through fieldwork to gather data on socioenvironmental categories combined with remote sensing data. The study site was the border region between Brazil and French Guiana. The results of this work showed that in situ landscape classification techniques can be supported by the analysis of quantitative metrics of landscape analysis, reinforcing the need for integrative and systemic studies in landscape geography.