Modern landscape ecology is characterized by several variant conceptions of the
patch mosaic paradigm of landscape structure and change (Wiens 1994, With and King 1999). These perspectives largely differ in how the focal habitat is perceived and represented relative to other landscape elements, and whether the landscape structure is viewed as relatively static (i.e., unchanging) or dynamic (i.e., constantly changing). Although there are many variations, two paradigms have emerged that provide alternative frameworks for conceptualizing the habitat loss and fragmentation process.