The need for pluralism in landscape models: a reply to Dunn and Majer

Dunn and Majer discuss limitations of the continuum model proposed by Fischer and Lindenmayer and describe a new patch-based model. We argue that a range of landscape models are required to solve different problems and meet particular objectives of land management or conservation. The key issue is not whether one type of model is superior to another, but rather: what are the particular strengths and limitations of a particular model? And, given these, under what circumstances will a particular model be most appropriate? The primary value of the continuum model is that it provides a strong theoretical foundation for the management of landscape heterogeneity in addition to the protection of large patches of native vegetation.