Europe is a densely populated part of the world. There is also a rather well organised science-policy interface in which landscape ecology participates by developing spatio-temporal models and scenarios and translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions. In several countries such as UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Slovakia, but now also Spain, Italy and Portugal landscape ecologists participate in planning and policy making. In the building of the nature conservation system of the European Union, Natura 2000, landscape ecological knowledge is essential for site and network design. European biodiversity monitoring activities, water management and agricultural programme development are being supported by landscape ecological knowledge. Landscape ecology in Europe is therefore more than in the USA oriented on management and regional and local implementation than on large scale spatial analysis.

Fundamental research in Europe focuses much on ecohydrological processes, fragmentation, species models and climate change impacts and mitigation. The technologies are making use of efficient in situ data and modelling as well as RS data. Research groups are carrying out this collaboratively through European science programmas such as and Horizon2020 (2014-2020) and by building the European Research Area (ERA).