Which landscape element type is described as the most extensive and connected, playing a dominant role in landscape functioning?

The matrix is indeed the most extensive and connected landscape element type, playing a dominant role in landscape functioning. In landscape ecology, the matrix refers to the larger landscape type that comprises the predominant area within a particular landscape. It serves as the background or the context in which other landscape elements, such as patches and corridors, exist.

The matrix influences various ecological processes, such as species movement, dispersal, and habitat connectivity. Since it represents the majority of the landscape, the matrix can significantly impact the ecological dynamics occurring within it, including factors like nutrient cycling, water flow, and habitat availability.

In contrast, patches are smaller areas with distinct characteristics, often surrounded by different matrix types, while mosaics refer to the complex patterns formed by various elements in the landscape. Buffers are typically specific areas intended to provide protection to sensitive environments or features, but they do not represent the dominant landscape type. Thus, the matrix stands out as the primary and most influential component of landscape functioning due to its widespread presence and connectivity.