Im Rahmen dieser Diplomarbeit entstand in Zusammenarbeit des Instituts für Kartographie der Technischen Universität Dresden und Archäologen der Universität Gent in Belgien ein dreidimensionales Landschaftsmodell einer Teilregion des Naturparks „Uch-Enmek“, gelegen in der Republik Altai. Diese Region beinhaltet die wichtigsten und größten bekannten Begräbnisstätten skythischen Ursprungs, für die es gilt, den Bekanntheitsgrad und das Bewusstsein dieses kulturellen Erbes durch diese Arbeit zu steigern. Im Zuge dessen wurden wichtige Geodaten, unter Berücksichtigung der prägenden Geoelemente einer Landschaft, in einem Geoinformationssystem zusammengetragen, um die Ausgrabungsstätten ergänzt und verfeinert und schließlich zu einem digitalen Landschaftsmodell ausgebaut. Die Wandlung zu einem dreidimensionalen Landschaftsmodell durch Hinzunahme von 3D-Objekten, wie Gebäuden oder Bäume, wurde in einer professionellen 3D-Software durchgeführt. Zur Visualisierung des Endproduktes wurden aus dem resultierenden 3D-Modell statische Bilder und eine Animation erstellt. Zukünftig können die Ergebnisse genutzt werden, um einen Internetauftritt des Naturparks zu ermöglichen. / Within the scope of this diploma thesis, a three-dimensional landscape model of a part of a region located in the nature park „Uch-Enmek“ (situated within the Altai Republic), was generated in cooperation with the Institut for Cartography of Dresden University of Technology and archaeologists of the University of Ghent in Belgium. The area of interest contains the most important and well-known burial mounds, that origin back to Scythian history. Aim of the thesis is to increase the degree of popularity and the awareness for this cultural heritage. In this case, important geodata were collected within a geo-informationsystem, with respect to characteristic geoelements of a landscape. The geodata were replenished and improved around the archaeological excavation and built up to a digital landscape model. The conversion to a three-dimensional landscape model by adding three-dimensional objects, like buildings and trees, was executed with the help of a professional 3D-software. To visualize the final product, static images and an animation were generated as results out of the 3D-model. Prospectively, the achievement can be used to establish an internet presentation of the nature park.

The study of landscape structure and configuration is firmly established as integral to the continued advancement of ecology. The configuration of resource patches can have far-reaching implications for biodiversity, metapopulation dynamics, community structure, and habitat quality. Human activities, such as forestry, agriculture, and residential construction alter patch configuration by breaking larger patches into smaller fragments. This frequently results in pronounced, unforeseen consequences for species. The fragmentation and shrinking of habitat patches can lead to changes in the environmental conditions within the remaining patches (e.g., degradation), prompting responses from local populations. These responses can, in turn, cause changes to the metapopulation structure on large spatial scale.<br>I examined the relationship between the degree of habitat fragmentation (edge density), and forewing lengths of the ebony jewelwing damselfly (Calopteryx maculata Beauvois, Odonata: Calopterygidae). I used correlated random walks to determine the biologically relevant landscape area over which forest fragmentation was calculated. Then, I used Moran’s I to determine the spatial scale of wing length response to fragmentation. I found that wing lengths increased with edge density. I also found that wing lengths were spatially autocorrelated at distances below 5 Km. These findings suggest that damselflies adapt to changes in forest fragmentation at a relatively small spatial scale.<br>Next, I assessed the slime mold Physarum polycephalum’s usefulness as a microcosm of dispersal in fragmented landscapes. Slime mold plasmodia were placed in dishes with oat patches of varying sizes and distances. The probability of each patch type being colonized first was compared to predictions of patch occupancy based on C. maculata. Patches that were nearer or larger were likely to be colonized before patches that were more distant, or smaller. Observed patch occupancy matched model predictions when only patch distance was varied, but not when patch size was varied. These results suggest that P. polycephalum has the potential to serve as a useful microcosm of dispersal in patchy landscapes. However, more testing is needed to develop the microcosm system. <br>Finally, a lesson plan was developed to teach high school students about the concepts of landscape ecology and connectivity. An emphasis was placed on using active learning techniques, which have been demonstrated to result in greater understanding than traditional lecture formats. The lesson plan incorporates an education boardgame, Humans & Habitats, that I developed to illustrate how the conflicting goals of resource managers impact habitat connectivity. It also incorporates a scientific inquiry activity that uses P. polycephalum to test predictions about the effect of altered connectivity. The lesson plan and materials will be available to members of the public, free of charge.<br><br>