Landscape ecology studies the influence of natural spatial patterns on ecological phenomena.
Spatial patterns of interest include topographic characteristics like mountain peaks and valleys, important features of wildlife habitats like food sources and nesting sites, and broader scale features such as the spatial arrangement of forest and fields in a rural landscape. The spatial arrangement of landscape features affect how ecosystems function and how their suitability varies for the species living therein. For example, a turkey hunter realizes that the best place to hunt will have both roosting trees and feeding areas in close proximity. At Mars Hill College, GIS and spatial data are used in teaching and research related to landscape ecology topics. The Biology department at Mars Hill College offers courses that deal with topics in ecology and conservation biology at introductory and advanced levels.