1.0 -‐ Introduction
Rapid population growth has brought forth worldwide urbanisation, which raises concerns. Regional ecosystems are increasingly subjected to a substantial human presence, and management decisions have an overwhelming influence on adjacent ecosystems (Andersson, 2006). Therefore the need to protect and manage green spaces is a fundamental issue, on not only a worldwide scale, but also regionally. Landscape ecology focuses on the spatial patterns of ecological processes in order to confront the problems of environmental degradation (Golubiewski, 2007). This study ĂŝŵƐ ƚŽ ĂƉƉůLJ &ŽƌŵĂŶ͛Ɛ ;ϭϵϵϱͿ Patch-‐Corridor-‐Matrix model (P-‐C-‐M model) to the selected site of Rochedale, situated approximately 15km southeast of the Central Business District of Brisbane, South East Queensland (SEQ), Australia. Rochedale, in recent times, has been subjected to an increase in housing ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚƐ͘ LJ ƵƚŝůŝƐŝŶŐ &ŽƌŵĂŶ͛Ɛ (1995) P-‐C-‐M model, a deduction of spatial data, landscape structure and dynamics through the use of aerial photography of the selected study area will attempted to be attained. In doing so, assessing current development and its impact to surrounding greens space and the viability of future developments as to whether proposed developments will assist or derogate adjacent natural habitat. The scope of this report will follow a certain pattern, with the initial section dedicated to obtaining an understanding of the geomorphology of the study area, and also an overview of landscape ecology, with regards to the concepts sƵƌƌŽƵŶĚŝŶŐ &ŽƌŵĂŶ͛Ɛ ;ϭϵϵϱͿ W-‐C-‐M model. The second section will focus more on the deconstruction of the study area in terms of landscape structure, networks and flows, and will also examine ƚŚĞ ƌĞůĂƚŝǀŝƚLJ ŽĨ &ŽƌŵĂŶ͛Ɛ (1995) model to the particular study. Through the course of this section, reference to a sequence of diagrams detailing the previously mentioned features will be made in attempt construct a more Figure 1: Map of Rochedale in relation to Central Business District (Brisbane comprehensive analysis. To end the City Council, 2008). second section recommendations for amendment and enhancement will be discussed in regards to the ƌĞƉŽƌƚ͛Ɛ findings.
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