This chapter provides the theoretical grounding for interpreting landscapes as socio-ecological systems. It begins by retracing the conceptual evolution of the landscape, from esthetic traditions to systemic understandings as framed by the European Landscape Convention. It then introduces the Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) framework as a theoretical lens to explore human–nature relations through multiple value dimensions. Unlike traditional approaches that consider benefits as unidirectional flows from nature to people, this study recognizes the crucial role of human agency in shaping, enabling, and co-producing these benefits. The concept of co-production is therefore central, highlighting how human capital, infrastructure, values, and institutions contribute to the generation and perception of NCP. Building on this perspective, this chapter further adopts the Ecosystem Services (ES) framework as the main operational tool for spatial and functional analysis. A critical literature review on the integration of ES into landscape planning follows, emphasizing both methodological advances and persistent challenges related to spatial equity, cross-sector governance and social-ecological complexity. Through this combined lens, landscape ecology emerges not only as a descriptive science but also as a transformative field, capable of supporting inclusive, adaptive, and place-based strategies for territorial cohesion.