Changes In Landscape Structure Research Articles

Implications of changes in land cover and landscape structure for the biocontrol potential of stemborers in Ethiopia

The land cover and structure of agricultural landscapes may influence the abundance and diversity of natural enemies of crop pests. However, these landscapes are continuously evolving due to changing land uses and agricultural practices. Here we assess changes in land use and landscape structure in a landscape in the Rift Valley region of Ethiopia, and explore the impact these changes are likely to have on the capacity of the landscape to support communities of natural enemies of maize stemborers Busseola fusca (Fuller). Land use and landscape structure were assessed in three periods over the last 30 years using focus group discussions with farmers and land use analysis through remote sensing. Natural enemies were sampled in maize fields adjacent to simple hedgerows, complex hedgerows, enset fields and khat fields at 1, 10 and 30 m using pitfalls and yellow pan traps in 2014 and 2015. The landscape analysis indicated that landscapes in the study area changed from maize dominated to more diverse small-scale and fragmented agroecosystems with a higher proportion of perennial crops. Maize fields adjacent to enset and complex hedgerows hosted significantly more predators (15.1 ± 9.8 and 22.3 ± 5.1 per trap at 1 m from the border, respectively) than maize fields adjacent to khat and simple hedgerows (7.2 ± 1.1 and 7.3 ± 1.7 per trap at 1 m from the border), and the effects of border type decreased with distance from the border. The abundance of parasitoids and parasitic flies were not influenced by border type. Our findings suggest that the changes in land use and landscape structure may have influenced the capacity of the landscape to support populations of natural enemies of stemborers in different ways. On the one hand smaller field sizes have resulted in more field borders that may support relatively high predator densities; on the other hand, the area of khat increased and the area of enset decreased, which may have a negative effect on predator densities. The overall outcome will depend on the interplay of these opposing effects.

Lichen-biocrust diversity in a fragmented dryland: Fine scale factors are better predictors than landscape structure

Biological soil crusts (or biocrusts) are widespread, diverse and important components of drylands sometimes threatened by global change drivers. However, their response to fragmentation processes is poorly known. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of changing landscape structure, given by land use change and the presence of linear infrastructure (e.g., roads), on the cover and diversity of lichen-biocrusts. We also evaluated the influence of several subrogates of fragment quality, such as soil properties, vascular plant community structure and topography. Biocrust cover and diversity were measured in 50 remnants of a Mediterranean shrubland. The fragments varied in size, connectivity and distance to a road, but also in plant and soil attributes, topography and fragment history. We applied general linear and mixed models to assess the effects of environmental variables on biocrust communities. Biocrust cover, richness and species composition were mostly unresponsive to changes in landscape structure, while connectivity and distance to the road decreased species diversity. Soil properties better explained the variation in biocrust cover and diversity. Changes in plant community and biocrust community composition were coupled. We also identified several biocrust species with strong capacity to reflect landscape structure. Our findings suggest that landscape structure needs to be evaluated jointly with other environmental factors to fully understand the consequences of fragmentation processes on biocrust communities and the subsequent implications for their functional role in drylands.

Quantifying the spatial correlations between landscape pattern and ecosystem service value: A case study in Ebinur Lake Basin, Xinjiang, China

Human activities and environmental degradation have resulted in landscape structure changes and can eventually affect the ecosystem service value (ESV) of its region. Nevertheless, research on the spatial correlations between ESVs and landscape pattern changes is lacking. Thus, 13 landscape metrics and nine ESV types in Ebinur Lake Basin were chosen and used to analyse their spatial correlations using multiple linear regression models in this study. The results revealed that eight out of the 13 landscape metrics showed direct spatial correlations with ESV type, and there were landscape metrics that were positively and negatively correlated with the different ESV types. The interspersion and juxtaposition index (IJI), patch richness (PR), and patch richness density (PRD) had no effects on the provision of ESVs. The results also showed that the land-use/land-cover classification types play a linking role, as changes in land-use/land-cover affect the provision of ESVs and the fragmentation of landscape patterns. At the same time, the total ESV of Ebinur Lake Basin was 21.21 × 109 CNY in 2014. Wood and grassland contributed the highest ESV in Ebinur Lake Basin, i.e., 16.29 × 109 CNY, followed by water bodies and farmland, i.e., 1.785 × 109 CNY and 1.239 × 109 CNY, respectively. The regression models that were obtained quantitatively assessed how the changes in landscape patterns have affected the provision of ESVs. These models greatly contribute to the application of the ecosystem service approach in research as well as in practice and provide a better understanding of landscape planning in Ebinur Lake Basin.

Bark beetles as agents of change in social–ecological systems

Due to recent outbreaks of native bark beetles, forest ecosystems have experienced substantial changes in landscape structure and function, which also affect nearby human populations. As a result, land managers have been tasked with sustaining ecosystem services in impacted areas by considering the best available science, public perceptions, and monitoring data to develop strategies to suppress bark beetle epidemics, and in some cases to restore affected lands and ecosystem services. The effects of bark beetle outbreaks are often detrimental to the provision of ecosystem services, including degraded landscape aesthetics and diminished air and water quality. However, there have been instances where bark beetle outbreaks have benefited communities by, for example, improving habitat for grazing animals and enhancing real‐estate values. As a consequence of the interaction of a warming climate and susceptible forest stand conditions, the frequency, severity, and extent of bark beetle outbreaks are expected to increase and therefore will continue to challenge many social–ecological systems. We synthesize experiences from recent outbreaks to encourage knowledge transfer from previously impacted communities to potentially vulnerable locations that may be at risk from future bark beetle epidemics.

The Urban Рaradynamic Anthropogenic Landscape Systems

Purpose. To identify the peculiarities and structure of urban paradynamic anthropogenic landscape systems (PDALS). Methods: field, theoretical generalization, analytical and cartographic analysis, logic, finding of empirical relationships, cartographic. Results. Urban-building activity is accompanied by radical transformations of all components of nature, significant changes of the natural landscape structure. As a result, urban paradynamic anthropogenic landscape systems are formed. Inner urban and suburban PDALS are singled out. Inner urban paradynamic anthropogenic landscape systems are formed and operate within the administrative boundaries of cities. Suburban PDALS extend far beyond the boundaries of urban settlements. They cover the suburban area. Paradynamic anthropogenic landscape zones (PDALZ) of mineral, air, climatic, hydrological, hydrogeological, biotic, social and economic impacts on the natural environment are distinguished in the structure of urban PDALS. Paradynamic anthropogenic landscape areas (PDALA) of low, medium, high and intensive pollution levels are formed within the zones of mineral and air impacts of the technical block of urban landscape-technogenic systems on their landscape block. They are interconnected by water, mineral and air streams. Eleven paradynamic anthropogenic landscape areas with low (total soil pollution index (TPI) - 8-16 units), eighteen areas with medium (TPI of 16-32 units) and five areas with high (TPI of soil 32-128 units) pollution levels of the environment were formed on the territory of Vinnytsia city. Paradynamic areas of low pollution are genetically related to the "sleeping" quarters of the city. Paradynamic areas of medium pollution are associated with industrial enterprises and high-speed motorways. Areas with a high level of pollution are paradynamically connected with the industrial landscapes of the enterprises Vinnytsia Household Chemicals and Vinnytsia Lamp Plant. PDALA with a high degree of atmospheric air pollution were formed in the Northern and Central industrial districts of Chernivtsi. Areas of low and medium pollution levels were formed in the areas of the old buildings of the modern city center. On the territory of the city of Mariupol, 2 paradynamic anthropogenic landscape areas of intensive (TPI 128-600) and 4 PDALAs of high (TPI 32-128) levels of pollution were detected. They are genetically related to the industrial landscapes of Azovstal Iron and Steel Plant and the Mariupol Iron and Steel Plant named after Ilyich. Paradynamic relationships between certain types of urban landscapes and ecological situation around them are defined. 58% of the city of Sumy is characterized by unsatisfactory ecological situation. These areas are paradynamically connected with the urban industrial landscapes of the Northern and Southern industrial zones. A direct paradynamic relation between the morbidity of urban population and the ecological state of urban landscapes was found. The condition of the urban environment causes from 30 to 70 % of all diseases. Paradynamic relations lead to the formation of a paradynamic anthropogenic landscape ecotone "urban landscapes – landscapes of suburban areas" around a city. Within this paradynamic landscape system, pollution of atmospheric air, soils, surface and groundwater from urban landscapes is well noticed. It was proved that the city's interaction with the surrounding landscapes is bilateral. As a result, suburban paradynamic landscape zones of social and economic impact are formed. Conclusion. It is revealed that urban paradynamic anthropogenic landscape systems are formed due to the development and functioning of the landscapes of urbanized territories. Paradynamic anthropogenic landscape zones of mineral, air, climate, hydrological, hydrogeological, biotic, social and economic impacts on the natural environment are distinguished in their structure. Paradynamic anthropogenic landscape areas with different levels of anthropogenic transformation of landscapes, in particular contamination of natural components, are defined within them. The existence of a direct paradynamic connection between the state of the urban landscapes and the level of morbidity of the urban population has been established. As a result, an extremely dynamic paradynamic anthropogenic landscape zone of the social impact of urban landscape-technogenic systems (LTS) is formed.

Phytophagous hoverflies (Diptera: Syrphidae) as indicators of changing landscapes

Spatial and temporal differences in landscape patterns are of considerable interest for understanding ecological processes. In this study, we assessed habitat quality by using the Syrph The Net database and data on decreasing species richness over a 25-year period for the two largest phytophagous hoverfly genera (Merodon and Cheilosia). Furthermore, within this time frame, we explored congruence between ecological responses (species richness and Biodiversity Maintenance Function for these two genera) and landscape structural changes through correlation analysis. Our results indicate that landscapes have experienced changes in aggregation, isolation/connectivity and landscape diversity, with these parameters being significantly correlated with Cheilosia species richness loss and habitat quality. We conclude that the genus Cheilosia is a good bioindicator that can highlight not only the current quality of an area but also temporal changes in landscape patterns.

Local Knowledge About The Structure, Function And Conversion Of Landscape In The Karangwangi Village, Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Karangwangi people is one of indigenous people in West Java who has local knowledge about their nature thoroughly. They have local tradition about landscape ecosystem arrangement that based on sakral (sacred) norm. With this rule, local people will always try to preserve the sustainability of their natural environment. However, modernization, increasing population, decreasing forest, and increasing market economic penetration, causing this rule and structure of landscape in Karangwangi village has changed. Land conversion in Karangwangi was occur because of settlement and land investment by people outside the village. These behavior changes in tradition and landscape (structure, function and conversion) in Karangwangi may impact on their daily activities, and so do the changes in daily activities can change their behavior in tradition and landscape. This research was undertaken in the Village of Karangwangi, Sub-district of Cidaun, District of Cianjur, Province of West Java, Indonesia. This paper aims to identify how indigenous people in Karangwangi understand kinds of landscape and another conversion that was happen as a result of management. The method used in this paper is qualitative with ethno ecological approach. The resulted of the study show that local people in Karangwangi Village understand how chronological of landscape structure, function and conversion.

The dynamic mechanism of landscape structure change of arable landscape system in China

The healthy functioning of arable landscape ecosystems depends on their functional structure and productivity. In view of current global climate change and constant population mobility, the global agricultural industry has to address the effects of such factors on the functional structure of arable lands. In our research on these issues, we combined information on land use/cover changes with several other datasets. These include meteorological data from 1 823 national and local meteorological stations, agrometeorological disasters from 430 national monitoring stations, and population surveys covering 9 856 townships. Our findings indicate that the arable landscape system in China shows an overall trend of fragmentation, with the extent of the core arable land decreasing by 10 336.06km2. This trend is affected minimally by climate differences and population changes in traditional agricultural regions. However, in eastern and western China, the trend is affected significantly by the rate of population aging, the population migration rate, and the agricultural labor scale. Urban land expansion plays a key role in changing the arable landscape system. Rapid urbanization in the form of an integral transition from arable land to construction, which is represented by large-scale increase in construction land area, is the core dynamic mechanism of landscape structure change of arable landscape systems in China.

Landscape metrics as a framework to measure the effect of landscape structure on the spread of invasive insect species

With accelerated land-use change throughout the world, increased understanding of the relative effects of landscape composition and configuration on biological system and bioinvasion in particular, is needed to design effective management strategies. However, this topic is poorly understood in part because empirical studies often fail to account for large gradients of habitat complexity and offer insufficient or even no replication across habitats. The aim of this study was to disentangle the independent and interactive effects of landscape composition and landscape configuration on the establishment and spread of invasive insect species. We explore a spatially-explicit, mechanistic modeling framework that allows for systematic investigation of the impact of changes in landscape composition and landscape configuration on establishment and spread of invasive insect species. Landscape metrics are used as an indicators of invasive insect establishment and spread. We showed that the presence of an Allee effect leads to a balance between the effectiveness of spread and invasion success. Spread is maximized at an intermediate dispersal level and inhibited at both low and high levels of dispersal. The landscape, by either increasing or mitigating the dispersal abilities of a species, can lead to a rate of spread under a dispersal threshold for which density and spread is at the highest. Our study proposes that change in landscape structure is an additional explanation of the highly variable spread dynamics observed in natural and anthropogenic landscapes. Consequently, a landscape-scale perspective could significantly improve spread risk assessment and the design of control or containment strategies.

Direct and indirect effects of agricultural intensification on a host-parasitoid system on the ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) in a landscape context

Intensification of land use is known as a major driver of worldwide decline in biodiversity. Trophic interactions might be especially affected by a changing landscape structure due to agricultural intensification. In this study we investigated the effects of increasing land use intensity on a tritrophic system at different spatial scales in a landscape context. We examined two weevil species, Mecinus labilis Herbst and M. pascuorum Gyllenhal, as well as their common parasitoid, Mesopolobus incultus Walker, living on a common native herb, the ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), at 76 sites in three geographic regions in Germany. The effect of land use intensity on species abundances was analysed across a range of spatial scales (100–2000 m) around the study sites. In all three regions and across most spatial scales, an increasing proportion of intensively managed grasslands in the surrounding landscape directly negatively influenced herbivore abundance. An increasing proportion of semi-natural habitats had a direct positive influence on herbivore abundance. The abundance of M. labilis was best explained at radii of r = 1500–2000 m, that of M. pascuorum at r = 100–500 m. The parasitoid, M. incultus, was indirectly influenced by land use intensity via the density of its two hosts. Agricultural intensification of grasslands can profoundly affect the abundance of their herbivorous and entomophagous fauna at landscape scale. This may have important implications for landscape management and the conservation of higher trophic level organisms in agricultural landscapes.

The landscape structure change of the tropical lowland forest and its possible effect on tree species diversity in South Sumatra, Indonesia

Zulfikhar, Zulkifli H, Kadir S, Iskandar I. 2017. The landscape structure change of the tropical lowland forest and its possible effect on tree species diversity in South Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 18: 916-927. The forest fragmentation is a spatial structure change, resulted in a reduction of the number and size of forest patches, and a subdivision and breaking up of the areas into smaller parcels. The key scientific challenges concern the significant gaps exist in our ability to understand the relationships between landscape structure, biodiversity and the output of ecosystem services at different spatial and temporal scales. The objective of this study was to examine the possible effect of changes in a spatial pattern of habitat against the changes of the tree species diversity. We apply a landscape structure analysis of the forest fragmentation, and then determine the principal component of the landscape metrics. We analyzed multitemporal satellite imageries from 1989 to 2013, that have been clipped as a sampling area. Thirty-two circular sampling areas with a radius of 2,500 meters were used. We conducted observations in 32 unit sample plots of biodiversity in the size of 20 meters by 50 meters, at a midpoint of the clip of area sampling. The results of a test of inter-correlation of all variable data showed that there were 15 of 23 landscape metrics of natural forest, reliable for the next analysis. We reduced the number of variables into three new variable groups using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). We produce three of six models of principal component multipleregression were significant (p < 0.05) to predict the composition and diversity of tree species caused by a change of landscape metrics, namely the species richness index, species equity index, and basal area of a tree stand. The prediction models are beneficial in the planning of biodiversity conservation and restoration of the fragmented natural forest.

Dampening of population cycles in voles affects small mammal community structure, decreases diversity, and increases prevalence of a zoonotic disease.

Long‐term decline and depression of density in cyclic small rodents is a recent widespread phenomenon. These observed changes at the population level might have cascading effects at the ecosystem level. Here, we assessed relationships between changing boreal landscapes and biodiversity changes of small mammal communities. We also inferred potential effects of observed community changes for increased transmission risk of Puumala virus (PUUV) spread, causing the zoonotic disease nephropatica epidemica in humans. Analyses were based on long‐term (1971–2013) monitoring data of shrews and voles representing 58 time series in northern Sweden. We calculated richness, diversity, and evenness at alpha, beta, and gamma level, partitioned beta diversity into turnover (species replacement) and nestedness (species addition/removal), used similarity percentages (SIMPER) analysis to assess community structure, and calculated the cumulated number of PUUV‐infected bank voles and average PUUV prevalence (percentage of infected bank voles) per vole cycle. Alpha, beta, and gamma richness and diversity of voles, but not shrews, showed long‐term trends that varied spatially. The observed patterns were associated with an increase in community contribution of bank vole (Myodes glareolus), a decrease of gray‐sided vole (M. rufocanus) and field vole (Microtus agrestis) and a hump‐shaped variation in contribution of common shrew (Sorex araneus). Long‐term biodiversity changes were largely related to changes in forest landscape structure. Number of PUUV‐infected bank voles in spring was negatively related to beta and gamma diversity, and positively related to turnover of shrews (replaced by voles) and to community contribution of bank voles. The latter was also positively related to average PUUV prevalence in spring. We showed that long‐term changes in the boreal landscape contributed to explain the decrease in biodiversity and the change in structure of small mammal communities. In addition, our results suggest decrease in small mammal diversity to have knock‐on effects on dynamics of infectious diseases among small mammals with potential implications for disease transmission to humans.

Figuring the features of the Roman Campagna: recent landscape structural transformations of Rome’s countryside

This paper quantified the impact of urban expansion on landscape characteristics of a famous landscape icon, the Roman Campagna, during the last thirty years. Landscape composition and structure were assessed between 1974, when the distinguishing features of Roman Campagna are still widespread and 2008, after the trajectory of urban decentralisation and urban sprawl. Changes in landscape structure were explored by spatial pattern analysis to detect how structural changes in landscape components can modify both land structure and landscape image. Non-parametric correlation statistics and multi factor analysis showed that the distinctive features of the Roman Campagna landscape are now blurred. A generalized landscape mixite was generated by the juxtaposition of different fragmented land uses, as showed by a negative relationship between changes in surface area and patchiness found in almost all other land use classes. Adaptation measures for preserving peri-urban agriculture in a landscape changed in structure and image are finally discussed.

Modeling the Relative Contributions of Land Use Change and Harvest to Forest Landscape Change in the Taihe County, China

Forests are under pressure from land use change due to anthropogenic activities. Land use change and harvest are the main disturbances of forest landscape changes. Few studies have focused on the relative contributions of different disturbances. In this study, we used the CA-Markov model, a land-use change model, coupled with a forest landscape model, LANDIS-II, to simulate dynamic change in Taihe County, China, from 2010 to 2050. Scenarios analysis was conducted to quantify the relative contributions of land use change and harvest. Our results show that forestland and arable land will remain the primary land-use types in 2050, whereas the built-up land will sprawl drastically. Land use change and harvest may result in the significant loss of forest area and changes in landscape structure. The simulated forest area will increase by 16.2% under the no disturbance scenario. However, under harvest, forest conversion, and integrated scenario, the area will be reduced by 5.2%, 16.5%, and 34.9%, respectively. The effect of harvest is gradually enhanced. The land use change will account for 60% and harvest will account for 40% of forest landscape change in 2050, respectively. Our results may benefit from the integration of regional forest management and land-use policy-making, and help to achieve a trade-off between economy and ecological environment.

THE RAPID CHANGES OF THE LANDSCAPE STRUCTURE OF THE MERANTI-DANGKU TROPICAL LOWLAND FOREST IN THE SOUTH SUMATRA PROVINCE, INDONESIA

The fragmentation of forest vegetation cover can be measured quantitatively, using tools that can characterize the geometry and spatial properties of the patch or patches of mosaic, which depicts the forest loss and the changes in the temporal pattern. The aims of this paper are to observe the process of the forest fragmentation, to find out the changes of spatial patterns of habitat continuum by applying the spatial dynamics change analysis of the forest fragmentation phases, and to provide the comprehensive approach in determining the rapid change of the forest landscape structure in the spatial transformation process, based on the decision tree models. We find three phases of the forest fragmentation were identified, namely dissection, dissipation, and attrition. This study shows that the production forest area and a wildlife conservation area that contiguous or borders, has the same phases in the process of fragmentation of the forest, but both have a difference of the magnitude of forest loss. We find there are at least five effects of forest fragmentation to the landscape structure, those are increasing in a number of habitat patches, decreasing in a size of habitat patches, reduction in a habitat amount, increasing in a dispersion and interspersion of patch types, and reduction in a size of spatial connectedness between patches. Keywords: fragmentation, landscape metrics, spatial transformation.

Effects of Road Density and Pattern on the Conservation of Species and Biodiversity

The development and presence of roads can reduce landscape permeability, lead to habitat loss, and increase habitat fragmentation. It is these fundamental changes in landscape structure that can have both direct and indirect impacts on the conservation of species and biodiversity. In this review, I examine 215 research studies conducted between 2011 and 2015 that explore the impacts of roads and road networks on a wide range of species. I divided these studies into four main categories: 1) the direct effects of roads on wildlife, 2) the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, 3) the consequences of road networks on wildlife populations, and 4) survey design and mitigation including both innovations and evaluations. I found that the majority of studies (38%) explored the indirect effects of roads on wildlife, including displacement, fitness consequences, and road crossing ability of wildlife. Nevertheless, despite there being a pressing need to understand how existing road networks impact wildlife and how increasing road density may influence local and regional population persistence, only 10% of the studies considered the implications of road networks on wildlife. However, there is an increasing trend towards the development of predictive models that can be used for a better understanding of road network impacts, assess landscape connectivity, and devise mitigation. This review also highlighted the continued need to devise and evaluate mitigation measures so transportation authorities and conservation practitioners may be better equipped to address the ecological implications of roads and proposed road development.

The dynamics of landscape-scale ecological connectivity based on least-cost model in Dongshan Island, China

As a hot topic in Landscape Ecology study, ecological connectivity is an important indicator for regional land sustainable use and biological protection. This paper conducted a systematic assessment of ecological connectivity using remote sensing images of Dongshan Island in 1994, 2003 and 2011. Based on least-cost modelling, the method takes into consideration the type of barrier, the distance impact, and the adjacent land use types to obtain the Barrier Effect Index (BEI) and Ecological Connectivity Index (ECI). The application of this method to Dongshan Island showed the ecological connectivity index (ECI) was low in 1994, improved in 2003, and decreased significantly in 2011. The results of the dynamic analysis of landscape structure showed farmland and roads were the main landscape classes that caused the low observed ECI in 1994 and 2003; these tended to divide the landscape and cause fragmentation. Construction land and roads were the main landscape classes resulting in low ECI in 2011, while forest and grassland had a high ECI. Trajectory analysis showed ECI tended to decrease in the low mountain forest zone of the northwestern and southeastern parts of Dongshan Island as well as in the coastal protection forest area. The areas where ECI became high were located in the northeastern part of Dongshan Island where cities and towns are concentrated with high human populations. Therefore, rapid urbanization has been the most important factor driving changes in landscape structure and patterns during the last 17 years on Dongshan Island. The approach not only assists us in revealing the driving mechanism of landscape dynamics from another aspect, but also can assess the impacts of regional and urban plans on landscape structure and function.

Environmental differences of land creation in time interval for determination of industrial influence on landscape

The assessment of the spatial structure the land cover has great significance for the research of landscape especially from the aspect of the maintaining landscape ecological stability and the sustainable development as well as the landscape potential. At the same time it has an important role in identifying of impacts the industry on the landscape. The classes of land cover layers can be considered as the basis for other analyses of landscape. Purpose.: In the contribution we decided to compare the changes in landscape structure between the years 1958 - 2009 in territory of city Krompachy. Methods: field, analytical and mathematical. Results: For evaluating changes in the landscape structure we used topographic map from 1958 and orthophotomaps of the actual situation in 2009. The changes in the landscape structure were evaluated through GIS technologies in time horizon 1958 - 2009. Absolute and percentage differences in the land cover classes for the time horizon 1958 - 2009 are expressed by means of contingency tables transformation. The trends in the development classes of land cover are documented by the graph of the land cover classes on the second hierarchical level.

Long-term patterns of change in a vanishing cultural landscape: A GIS-based assessment

The specific patterns of land use change that can be observed in many economically developed countries have fundamental implications on landscape structure and geomorphological processes. Areas characterized by widespread erosion such as badlands are often sensitive to anthropic modifications and of large interest in the analysis of the topographic determinants of land use change. This work aims to analyse the land use and landscape structure changes occurred in a Mediterranean landscape by analysing historical maps and infer the underlying processes that contribute to the pattern of change. First we carried out a comparative examination of three historical image datasets (1820, 1954, 2005) through overlay image processing and cross-classification analysis. Then we analysed the relationships between the detected land-use transformations and topographic parameters. Finally we determined the landscape structure change patterns through the use of GIS-based landscape metrics. The results showed how the study areas have experienced significant land use changes, mainly due to the abandonment of traditional rural systems. We found semi-natural areas distribution to be closely connected with terrain-shaping processes. The processes that underlie the multi-temporal landscape structure change have produced an overall increase of the landscape complexity. The work is one of the first attempts to use historical cartographic data to quantitatively assess changes in land use and landscape structure in the Mediterranean area. The proposed integrated methodology can support decision-making in landscape planning and may represent a useful tool to define effective strategies for biodiversity conservation.

Analysis of land consolidation projects and their impact on land use change, landscape structure, and agricultural land resource protection: case studies of Pilsen-South and Pilsen-North (Czech Republic)

Within the countries of the former socialist bloc, the changes in the politico-economic system at the end of the 1990s created a situation where it was (and still is) necessary to restore agricultural land resource property rights, to adjust the structure of agricultural land to current needs and to improve the current state of environmental resources. This case study covers 19 cadastral areas in the western part of the Czech Republic that were affected by the land consolidation process during 2000–2006. The main task of this study was to document how land consolidation processes could affect the change of land use and landscape structure and whether the land consolidation planners take into account the protection of natural resources. The increased acreage of grasslands was the most important change which has occurred in the land use in the 19 analysed cadastral areas, before and after land consolidations. In the studied area, the changes of land use involved 6.8 % of the total land consolidation area. This area of grassland significantly increased the protection of agricultural land from water erosion. In terms of changes in the landscape structure, the construction of new field road networks is the most important result. The results confirm the importance of land consolidation processes not only for the organization and recovery of ownership and cadastral records but also for the improvement of agricultural use of landscape and protection of natural resources such as soil, water and plant and animal communities.