Connectivity Concepts

doi:10.1017/9781108903196.003

1 - Connectivity Concepts

from Part I - Introduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 April 2025

Ronald E. Pöppl and

Edited by

Anthony Parsons and

Ronald Pöppl: Affiliation:
BOKU University Vienna
Anthony Parsons: Affiliation:
University of Sheffield
Saskia Keesstra: Affiliation:
Wageningen Universiteit, The Netherlands

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Summary

The concept of connectivity appeared in several disciplines in the 1950s and 1960s, but did not enter geomorphology until the 1980s. The concept has led to profound insights into the behaviour of systems, and has had significant applications in management. Connectivity may be defined as a structured set of relationships between spatially and/or temporally distinct entities), or as the degree to which a system facilitates (or impedes) the movement of matter and energy through itself. The former definition focuses on the structure of the system, and the latter on the functioning of it. The two definitions give rise to the separate concepts of structural and functional connectivity. A fundamental difference between structural and functional connectivity lies in the fact that, whereas the former can be relatively easily measured, and a variety of tools exists to do so, the latter tends to be inferred from system behaviour, so that measurement is somewhat indirect. Notwithstanding the compelling arguments in favour of studying connectivity, the ability to apply the ideas of connectivity science in any discipline requires a number of challenges to be addressed.

Keywords

Connectivity concept functional connectivity structural connectivity challenges

Type: Chapter
Information: Connectivity in Geomorphology , pp. 3 - 8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108903196.003 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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