Study of artificial energy inputs needed to maintain ecosystems is important tool to understand landscape functioning. Analysis of artificial energy inputs (manual and machine work, material inputs) shows the differences in types and amounts of inputs in managed forests and farmlands. In this way the differences in functioning of forest and agricultural ecosystems were founded. Energy based »control over dynamics« in landscape was also established which, according to Forman (1995), is the most important criterion for matrix determination. In farming, practically all the artificial energy inputs are needed to maintain the system. In forestry they represent energy inputs in the form of cultivation and protective measures. Artificial energy inputs needed for maintaining
ecosystems in forestry are about a quarter of those needed for maintaining fields and about half those needed in maintaining meadows.
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