Changes In Landscape Management Research Articles

Integrating social media data and machine learning to analyse scenarios of landscape appreciation

Cultural ecosystem services can be challenging to simulate, leading to their under-representation in future scenario modelling to support decision-making. Here we use the density of landscape appreciation photographs uploaded to social media to parameterise an empirical model of landscape appreciation. We developed the model using over 150,000 photographs uploaded to the website Flickr in Aotearoa New Zealand. The current distribution of landscape appreciation photographs was influenced by a combination of biophysical and socio-ecological factors, including the land cover, altitude and distance from the coastline, and human population densities and accessibility. We used the landscape appreciation model to conduct a sensitivity analysis of the impacts of native forest restoration on agricultural land. The sensitivity analysis identified priority areas where restoration would have a larger positive impact. By comparing with a model of carbon storage gained through native forestation, we highlighted substantial spatial mismatches between these conflicting ecosystem service objectives. Empirical models of landscape appreciation derived from social media data can provide flexible, sensitive simulation tools for assessing how future changes in landscape management may impact indicators of cultural ecosystem service value. Similar models could be developed in any region with sufficient social media data for parameterisation, and could be altered to focus on management actions at smaller spatial scales.

The impacts of social-ecological system change on human-nature connectedness: A case study from Transylvania, Romania

Contemporary Romania has been subject to several major social and institutional shifts that have had implications for the connectedness of humans with their environment. Four major governance eras have influenced human-nature connections: (1) formal and informal institutional governance after the World Wars and before socialism (before 1947), (2) top-down governance during socialism (1947–1989) and (3) during sovereign state governance and transition to European Union (1990–2006), and (4) multilevel governance since European Union accession (after 2007). We analyzed two cultural landscapes in Transylvania with respect to changes in human-nature connectedness. The two systems were similar at the beginning of the 20th century, but developed differently in their intensity of landscape management in the 21st century. Drawing on 41 semi-structured interviews, we examined changes that influenced landscape management and human-nature connectedness, considering five dimensions of connectedness: material, experiential, emotional, cognitive and philosophical. Material connections have weakened as a result of changes in food production and rising consumerism. Experiential and emotional connections were influenced by socio-economic and landscape management changes. Cognitive connections reflected changes in the knowledge system on the environment. Philosophical connection was influenced by changes in ideologies and globalization. Our findings highlight the central influence of social and institutional change on perceived human-nature connectedness. Understanding this influence provides important pointers for how to reconnect humanity to nature in the coming decades.

Fauna of nocturnal moth species collected in a semi-natural grassland at Kanpu-zan in northern Japan.

Semi-natural grasslands, which house species-rich ecosystems, have rapidly declined since the twentieth century due to land-use practices, such as agricultural intensification and abandonment. Owing to their diversity and known habitat associations, nocturnal moths are considered as one of the most suitable organisms to be studied for assessing the dynamics of species composition as a result of changes in landscape management of semi-natural grasslands. The present study provides the foremost description of nocturnal moth fauna of the semi-natural grassland at Kanpu-zan, northern Japan. Moth population data from 1987 were compared to the data collected in 2018 to evaluate the impact of decline in grasslands on species-richness. During the field sampling in 2018, a total of 226 nocturnal moth species were detected, which was nearly two-thirds of the number of species recorded in 1987, i.e. 396 species. The values obtained in 2018 were found to be nearly constant for different sites. For both periods, it was evident that moth fauna in Kanpu-zan mainly consisted of species that relied on woody plants. Amongst the species which were only recorded in 1987, 107 species were generalists that fed on plants that are commonly distributed in Kanpu-zan. No moth species were recorded that depended upon endangered or extinct plant food sources. Thus, it is unlikely that the decline in the number of moth species in Kanpu-zan was due to the loss in plant food sources. Our results suggest that environmental factors other than food plants may have caused decline and changes in nocturnal moth fauna. More studies on various organism fauna are needed for understanding the conservation of semi-natural grassland, considering that the loss of semi-natural grasslands is one of the major threats to biodiversity.

Distribution of Landscape Units Within Catchments Influences Nutrient Export Dynamics

Excess nutrients from agriculture have caused persistent eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Here, we present a conceptual framework for landscape management to achieve one or several water quality targets along the river continuum from headwaters to estuaries. Based on monitoring of representative headwaters and downstream reaches, we divide catchments into elementary landscape units defined by physicalecological properties and anthropogenic land use. We use a theoretical simulation to evaluate our hypothesis that the water-quality responses of redistributing these elementary units within the catchment will vary depending on the water quality targets (e.g., reduction in concentration or load). This landscape unit distribution (LUD) framework can efficiently assess the current ecohydrological functioning of a catchment and provide simple but robust predictions of its response to landscape management changes. Using simulated data, we show that different scenarios of landscape redistribution can allow attainment of one or several, but often not all desired water quality targets. Therefore, we recommend that water quality targets must be clearly defined and prioritized prior to designing landscape management strategies.

Using landscape scenarios to improve local nitrogen management and planning

Scenario-building is a widely used tool to initiate discussions on future land uses. In scenarios possible futures can be explored and peoples' ideas as well as societal trends can be visualized by the use of maps, pictures and figures. With focus on agricultural nitrogen management, and point of departure in the farmers' decisions-regarding fertilizer inputs, crop rotations, land use, and drainage, landscape scenarios are formulated based on local ideas for future nitrogen management and general prospects for local development.The key research question addressed in this paper is how landscape scenarios can guide farmers to improve nitrogen management in smaller catchments dominated by farming. Participatory modelling was used to develop landscape scenarios, depicting the change of nitrogen emission as a result of changes in landscape management and agricultural practices. In the development of the scenarios we used an ArcMap based tool combining statistical data, experimental knowledge, nitrate leaching modelling and input from local stakeholders on biophysical as well as land use and farm management issues.The scenarios presented are the result of a collaborative planning experiment within the frames of the dNmark research alliance on nitrogen. Three different types of scenarios are presented and discussed and their effects in terms of N reduction are estimated. The three scenarios were called: River valley set-aside, constructed wetlands, and land zonation. All the modelled scenarios are estimated to have a positive effect i.e. a reduction of the level of N leached to the root zone.Based on the experience gathered in the project, the feasibility of using scenarios for future environmental planning in the agricultural landscapes is discussed. Further, this is related to the current discussion in Denmark on geographically targeted nitrogen regulation. It is concluded that the co-creative approach to formulation of scenarios can be an effective way of increasing the knowledge and ownership of possible future solutions, however the cost associated with this planning approach is likely to substantially higher that more traditional planning approaches. Consequently, the estimated transactions costs should be weighed against the expected benefits in terms of more successful implementation.

Land use changes in the last half century and their impact on water retention in the Šumava mountains and foothills (Czech Republic)

Abstract Changes in land use and runoff characteristics in Otava river basin and its two subcatchment (Volšovka and Vydra) were examined. The goal was to find out how water retention have responded to changes in landscape management in Šumava mountains and foothills since the year 1970. There were two basic levels of changing land use - (a) conversion of arable land with varying intensity at different management of intensive and extensive grassland, (b) deforestation of large areas of indigenous mostly spruce monocultures and their transfer to the shrub and herbaceous vegetation covering the surface with a discontinuous vegetation. Water retention in Šumava mountains is locally reduced due to vulnerability of monoculture spruce forests by natural disasters (windstorms), diseases and pests. A positive effect of current agricultural management in the Šumava foothills on the reduction of direct runoff during intense rainfall was confirmed.

Evaluation of land cover changes and Black locust occurrence in agricultural landscape. Case study: Podolie and Častkovce cadastral areas, Slovakia

This study presents spatial analysis of agricultural landscape changes in the Podolie and Castkovce cadastral areas since 1949. Data for analysis was obtained from historical aerial photographs (from 1949, 1986 and 2006), detailed field mapping and Black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.) monitoring. Land cover changes were assessed from the aerial photographs based on the CORINE land cover legend, environmental variables were derived from digital elevation model (DEM) and detailed geological and soil maps. Data was spatially compared and assessed by regression analysis for interpretation of Black locust occurrence. The most significant land cover changes occurred between 1949 and 1986 when agricultural areas were replaced by forest and semi-natural areas. One of the aspects of landscape changes is abandonment of agricultural landscape and occupancy this new transformed surfaces by invasive plant taxons (e. i. Robinia pseudoacacia L.). Black locust occurrence was mainly influenced by landscape management changes and subsequent land cover changes (afforestation from 1949 to 1986), especially in regions of dispersed settlements (Podolske and Korytnianske kopanice) after agricultural collectivisation. Environmental variables had little effect on Black locust expansion in these areas.

Detection of foreclosure-related landscape management changes using Landsat

The volume of properties affected by foreclosure over the past decade suggests the potential for dramatic change in vegetation cover due to changes in management. Yet, the specific pathology of each foreclosure, the temporal asynchrony among foreclosures, and differences in the area available for vegetation growth across properties presents challenges to observing and measuring change. This paper develops and tests a difference in deviations approach that compares the parcel NDVI to a neighborhood norm before and after foreclosure. The difference in deviations approach addresses the challenges of separating parcel-level change corresponding to foreclosure and identifies changes on both small and large parcels. The method relies on a time series of Landsat Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, individual home foreclosure records and property tax assessment data for Maricopa County, Arizona from 2002 to 2012. To establish the level of difference associated with observable landscape change, we use a probit regression model, coding Google Earth images for properties across the range of observed deviations of difference. The basic assumption underlying the approach is that if foreclosure coincides with a change in management, it will lead to changes in vegetation structure and thus, NDVI values. We estimate that 13% of home foreclosures in Maricopa County over the period from 2002 to 2012 resulted in declines in vegetation whereas 6.5% resulted in vegetation increases. Future uses of this method for understanding landscape management in residential landscapes are discussed.

Qualities of Native Apple Cultivar Juices Characteristic of Central Europe

During the last century due to the changes in landscape management, in country people’s lives and with intensive fruit-growing the native cultivars of apple fruit trees have been gradually disappearing. The aim of the study was to compare the juices made of native apple cider cultivars. The cultivars-‘Boikovo’, ‘Jadernicka moravska’, ‘Kardinal zihany’, ‘Panenske ceske’, ‘Parmena zlata zimni’, ‘Strymka’ growing in the locality of the Litencicke Hills in the eastern part of the Czech Republic were selected. For comparison, the fruits of commercial ‘Idared’ cultivar were also included. The chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, phenols, flavonoids and ascorbic acid content and the influence of juices on scavenging activity of nitric oxide and hydroxyl radical were measured. The mutual ratio of examined properties which were found, provide information about qualities and possibilities of use of native cultivars. High antioxidant properties characterize the juice of native apple cultivars. In particular, the ‘Strymka’ cultivar contained 2,637.34 mg of AAE (ascorbic acid equivalent) per litre in case of antioxidant capacity. In the juice of this cultivar the value of 144.05 mg of ascorbic acid per litre was recorded. As regards the ‘Panenske ceske’ cultivar, antioxidant capacity was 2,548.38 mg of AAE l-1 and in relation to ascorbic acid, the value was 145.35 mg l-1. Similarly, high values were observed in both cultivars concerning the scavenging effect of apple juices on hydroxyl radical and nitric oxide (the ‘Strymka’ cultivar 16.38% and 19.26%, the ‘Panenske ceske’ cultivar 16.31% and 18.60%).

Evaluation of changes in the landscape management and its influence on animal migration in the vicinity of the D1 motorway in Central Bohemia

The article summarizes changes detected in landscape structures and interrelated changes in landscape management surrounding a model section of the D1 motorway (11<sup>th</sup>–29<sup>th</sup> km). Biotopes' gradual development was determined based on historical aerial photographs from 1949, 1974, 1988 and 2007. Issues evaluated include especially direct occupation of biotopes and agricultural lands due to constructing industrial areas in the motorway's vicinity, changes in area dimensions of agricultural and forest land, construction of residential complexes and complementary infrastructure. Also investigated was how these transformations and other negative factors of the linear construction, particularly barriers along the motorway and traffic intensity, influence migration of large ungulates. The aerial photographs show significant decrease in polygons in the Crop fields category between 1949 and 2007. While in 1988 the area of Commercial zones in this territory was only 0.16%, in 2007 these already constituted 8.53% of the entire territory. Forested area increased slightly. Traffic intensity and barriers along the motorway were found to create sections through which large mammals have great difficulty passing.

Acidification of primeval forests in the Ukraine Carpathians: Vegetation and soil changes over six decades

Changes to vegetation and soil were assessed in primeval forests of the Eastern Carpathians after a period of 59–68 years. We hypothesized that forest ecosystems were acidified through the long-distance transport of air pollutants. A total of 141 relevés and 20 soil profiles that had been studied in 1938 in spruce- and beech-dominated forests along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1085–1575 m a.s.l. were re-surveyed from 1997 to 2006. Relevés were analyzed using multidimensional statistics and plant community characteristics (Shannon–Wiener’s index, equitability, fidelity, Ellenberg indication values – EIV); soil reaction and sorption complex properties were analyzed in soils. A total of 159 vascular plant taxa were recorded in 1938, of which 35 were not found during the repeat survey. During the later survey, 137 taxa were found, of which 13 were new findings. The upper mineral (A) as well as cambic or spodic (B) horizons were considerably acidified in both forest types. Both active and exchange soil reaction decreased by 0.1–0.3 units on average, exchangeable acidity significantly increased and the sum of base cations decreased in both soil horizons and forest types. Base saturation decreased by more than half of original values, with a maximum decrease of 68% found in the B-horizon of spruce forests. Whereas the herb layer developed along with soils in beech-dominated forests, EIV values for soil reaction increased in spruce-dominated forests, probably due to the movement of broadleaf woody species to higher elevations or due to the higher resistance of herb species to soil acidification. Significant changes to EIVs also occurred in the beech- and/or spruce-dominated forests for the factors of nitrogen, light moisture and temperature. There was an expansion of the lower tree and shrub layers, primarily Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Sorbus aucuparia in intermediate and higher elevations, which can be explained by reduced cattle grazing. Also, the dissipation of Juniperus communis and marked decline of Abies alba are interpreted as being related to gradual changes in landscape management along with the effect of acid deposition. Since 1938, all stands have shown a significant increase in nitrophilous taxa such as Rubus idaeus, Athyrium distentifolium, Urtica dioica, Calamagrostis arundinacea, Stellaria nemorum. Significant decreases in the number of species, Shannon–Wiener’s index and equitability were only observed in spruce-dominated forests. Neophyte taxa were not detected in either the 1930s or the 1997–2006 period.

Morphological changes in a British mammal as a result of introductions and changes in landscape management: the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris)

British red squirrel populations have been subject to landscape management practices resulting in large‐scale fragmentation and defragmentation of habitat, as well as numerous historical introductions of closely related subspecies. This unique population history allowed us to examine: (1) the morphological changes to a rare native species probably caused by hybridization with introduced subspecies; (2) the impact of landscape management, specifically reforestation, on the spread of these morphological changes across the north of England. British red squirrels represent a peripheral population of Sciurus vulgaris, which is regarded as a separate subspecies (S. v. leucourus) to populations found on the European continent. British populations are in danger of extinction because of the introduction of the North American grey squirrel S. carolinensis. Repeated translocation of continental European S. vulgaris individuals to Britain over 150 years may be responsible for an alteration of the morphological characteristics of populations compared to the original subspecies description. The majority of examined populations possessed the coat colour characteristics associated with continental European subspecies. Only populations in the western region of Cumbria possessed coat colour characteristics similar to the described subspecies S. v. leucourus. Changes to landscape connectivity in Britain during the 1980s greatly altered dispersal patterns, resulting in an increase of gene flow from populations in the north‐east of England and the Borders into Cumbria. The morphological characteristics of the Cumbrian population also changed over this period, from traits similar to the British subspecies before 1980, to traits similar to the continental European subspecies after 1980. This study demonstrates the threat landscape management practices and the introduction of closely related subspecies can present to rare peripheral populations.