Landscape Types Research Articles

Aquatic insects in subtropical streams: the role of different grassland ecosystems and local environmental descriptors.

Organisms can respond to environmental gradients from local to landscape features. Aquatic insects are particularly affected by watershed peculiarities due to their dependence on microhabitat conditions. However, these relationships are poorly understood in lotic ecosystems of subtropical grasslands, limiting water resources management and bioassessment proposals. Here, we investigated how local stream environment and variations in landscape types affect the assemblage structure of a bioindicator insect group, face to the spatial proximity of the sampled locations. We sampled immatures of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera in streams along the Brazilian Pampa biome, recording environmental descriptors in different grassland ecosystem types. The structure of aquatic insect assemblages differed across grassland types, with specific dominant genera associated with each landscape. Spatially-structured water physicochemical descriptors explained a significant amount of variation in assemblage data. Our findings suggest that grassland ecosystem type delimitations capture ecological attributes, influencing watershed features important to EPT assemblage structuration. Moreover, we highlight the importance of niche-based process structuring EPT assemblages along grassland ecosystem types of Pampa biome. In addition, we encourage using aquatic insects in bioassessment of lotic waters to assess local and landscape environmental impacts. We strongly recommend considering the grassland ecosystem schedule for water resources management and bioassessment proposals.

Research on the Protection and Dissemination of Cultural Heritage in Rural Landscapes Based on Image Processing

Abstract The countryside is an important part of the social development process, but with the acceleration of urbanization, the protection of rural landscapes as cultural heritage is facing an increasingly severe situation. In this study, image radiation correction, image fusion, cropping and mosaicing, geometric correction, band selection, and image enhancement are applied to rural landscapes using remote sensing image processing technology. A digital protection system for rural landscape cultural heritage is created using the processed rural landscapes. By comparing the accuracy of this paper’s method to other classification methods, we can explore the classification performance of this paper’s PCA method. By comparing the changes in rural landscape types before and after landscape protection, the effect of landscape protection is explored. Finally, the communication effect of rural landscapes on social media is explored by utilizing the evaluation index system. The PCA method employed in this paper achieves a landscape classification accuracy of 83%, which is significantly superior to the IHS transformation method (73.5%) and the Brovey transformation method (76%). After the rural landscape protection, the degree of landscape fragmentation in Village A was significantly improved compared to before the protection, and the effect of protection was remarkable. The scores of social media users on each dimension of the rural landscape communication effect in Village A were greater than 4, and rural landscape communication achieved a positive effect.

Landscape ecological network construction method supported by high-precision GIS data

Abstract With the acceleration of urbanization, the regional landscape pattern has undergone profound changes. This study combines green space ecology and explores the construction method of landscape ecological networks using the support of GIS data platform. After completing the extraction of landscape environmental information, it is fused and processed using principal component transformation, tasseled cap transformation, and vegetation index extraction. Different landscape pattern indices are utilized to construct a landscape analysis pathway based on the relevant data from high-precision GIS. Meanwhile, an ecological sensitivity evaluation method that includes soil erosion and rocky desertification was proposed. By comparing and analyzing the landscape pattern indices, it was concluded that the Shannon diversity index increased by 0.2927 and the Shannon evenness index increased by 0.0352, indicating that the landscape types of the study area gradually tend to be even in quantity and spatial distribution. In the evaluation of ecological sensitivity, the proportion of moderate and lower sensitivity reaches 69.28%, indicating that the ecological environment is relatively calm despite external disturbances.

Spatial-temporal changes of landscape and habitat quality in typical ecologically fragile areas of western China over the past 40 years: A case study of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

In this paper, we use the InVEST model and five periods of land use data from 1980 to 2020 to assess the habitat quality of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Western China, which has characteristics of a typical fragile ecosystem. We further analyse the spatial and temporal characteristics of habitat quality evolution and its relationship with land use and landscape pattern indices to explore the close relationship between regional habitat quality changes and human natural resource conservation and utilization. The research results show that the overall habitat quality of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was stable and at a moderate level (0.57-0.60) during the 40 years from 1980 to 2020; Habitat patches (2020) with low (24.89%), high (22.45%) and very high (29.81%) quality occupy a larger proportion of the area, followed by very low (13.31%) and moderate levels (9.54%). Over the past 40 years, there have been 275 sample sites in Ningxia where habitat quality has deteriorated, 1593 sample sites where the habitat quality has remained stable, and 184 sample sites where the habitat quality has increased. From 1980 to 2020, the Mean Patch Area of landscape types in Ningxia decreased by 25.9 hm2. The Patch Density increased by 0.06 /hm2. The Largest Patch Index decreased by 15.69%. The Edge Density increased by 2.5 m/hm2. The Contagion Index decreased by 2.99%. The Area-Weighted Mean Patch Fractal Dimension remained basically unchanged (0.01). The Landscape Shape Index showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, increasing by 13.94. The Area-Weighted Mean Shape Index has been reduced by 9.45. The Shannon Diversity Index and Shannon Evenness Index both show an increasing trend, but the amplitude is relatively small, with 0.09 and 0.04, respectively. There was a significant spatial aggregation of high and low habitat quality in Ningxia, with high values usually distributed in the northern and southern areas with good natural conditions and low values distributed in areas with frequent human activities and poor natural conditions. The decrease in habitat quality in Ningxia was mainly due to the expansion of cultivated land and construction land, the increase in landscape fragmentation and the resulting decrease in connectivity. On the other hand, due to the implementation of ecological protection measures, such as the project of returning farmland to pasture and grass to forest, the quality of habitats in Ningxia increased. The conclusions of this study support the idea that the conservation of habitat quality in ecologically fragile areas should fully preserve the original natural habitats and reduce the interference of human activities to increase the habitat suitability of the landscape and the habitat connectivity between patches. At the same time, targeted ecological protection policies should be developed to restore the areas where the habitat quality has been damaged and ultimately maintain the stability of biodiversity and ecosystems in ecologically fragile areas. Meanwhile, for ecologically fragile areas with similar ecological characteristics to those of Ningxia, our research supports the idea of increasing the protection of the stability of the original habitats, increasing the proportion of ecological restoration projects, financial investment and seeking cooperation with local community managers and residents will help to improve the quality of the regional habitats and the enrichment of the biodiversity, and ultimately promote the harmonious coexistence of human beings and nature in the modernized sense of the word.

Analysis of optimal configuration of energy storage in wind-solar micro-grid based on improved gray wolf optimization

To make full use of the electric power system based on energy storage in a wind-solar microgrid, it is necessary to optimize the configuration of energy storage to ensure the stability of a multi-energy system. This paper analyses the structure and function of the microgrid system, establishes the mathematical model, and analyzes the output characteristics. A double-layer optimization model of energy storage system capacity configuration and wind-solar storage micro-grid system operation is established to realize PV, wind power, and load variation configuration and regulate energy storage economic operation. The mathematical model of the improved gray wolf optimization is constructed, and the typical landscape resource data of a residential district. Comparing the difference between energy storage without an installation and energy storage with improved algorithm, it is shown that the energy storage configuration of the improved gray wolf optimization improves the economy, efficient energy use, and revenue of the whole system.

Meeting national land use related objectives while safeguarding typical landscapes

Landscapes play a significant role in the regional development by providing ecosystem services to the local communities. Significant changes in land management due to the political decisions may significantly change the typical landscape in rural areas. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore how to use the landscape differences to facilitate achievement of national socio-economic and environmental objectives, while avoiding significant changes and safeguarding typical landscapes. Cluster analysis was used to identify relatively homogeneous groups with four socio-economic and environmental indicators, namely, profit, employment, net GHG emissions, habitat quality. Results show that clusters with the highest socio-economic return are located closest to the capital city and carbon sequestration measures may be concentrated in the landscapes that are geographically farthest from the capital city, but then the abandonment of rural areas and the disappearance of typical landscapes may occur. The political decisions related to land use change should be adapted to the specific landscape, so that not only socio-economic and environmental objectives are achieved together with the fulfilment of international obligations, but also the typical landscape of the specific landscape region is preserved.

Landscape ecological risk assessment study of the Yunnan section of the Tropic of Cancer

Natural landscapes constitute a vital component of ecosystems, and their stability and diversity are essential in maintaining regional ecosystem functions. The scientific and rational assessment of ecological risks in regional landscapes is crucial for activities such as ecosystem security evaluation, optimization of ecosystem function zoning, and establishment of landscape security patterns. We focused on the Yunnan section of the Tropic of Cancer, employing Landsat 8 remote sensing data to categorize landscape types and construct ecological risk indices. Using software platforms such as ArcGIS, GEE, and Fragstats4.2, an evaluation and spatial characteristics analysis of the ecological risk in the Yunnan section of the Tropic of Cancer was conducted, yielding the following findings: ① The overall level of ecological risk within the Yunnan section of the Tropic of Cancer is relatively low. The lower ecological risk zone covers an area of 19,100.35 km2, accounting for 34.09 % of the total study area, while the higher ecological risk zone spans 2,032.91 km2, constituting only 3.63 % of the total study area. ② Landscape types in areas of lower and low ecological risk are predominantly characterized by woodland landscapes, comprising 90.93 % and 62.19 %, respectively. Conversely, areas with high ecological risk and higher ecological risk are dominated by cultivated land, representing 67.75 % and 95.61 %, respectively. This underscores the importance of strengthening forestry development and controlling the expansion of cultivated land to mitigate regional landscape ecological risks. ③Regions with higher ecological risks in the landscape are primarily in the northwestern part of Yanshan County, the southern part of Gengma County, and the northern part of Wenshan city. These areas are susceptible to the impacts of intense farming, extreme weather, and the karst geological environment. In contrast, regions with high ecological risks are in the central and eastern parts of Mojiang County, the western part of Yanshan County, and the northern part of Wenshan city. These areas are mostly influenced by urban economic development, extensive construction projects leading to deforestation and grassland degradation, and the substantial demand for arable land due to a significant population increase. ④ The spatial pattern of ecological risk in the Yunnan section of the Tropic of Cancer, as indicated by Moran's I index, is positive and exceeds 0.6. The Z score significantly surpasses the reference value of 2.58, with p < 0.01. This indicates a strong degree of spatial autocorrelation and a high positive correlation in the spatial distribution characteristics.

Numerical Simulation Analysis and Research of Large Scale Garden Construction Waste Mounding Hill Landscaping

Along with the rapid development of international metropolis, China's urbanization is developing faster and faster. In the process of China's urbanization development, mountain mounding with construction waste is one of the most direct, effective and economical means to deal with construction waste, not only that, but also, one of the important methods for ecological restoration project of landscape gardening, this method has several advantages such as green construction, green low carbon, energy saving and carbon reduction, etc. It also improves the utilization rate of resources, has high economic and environmental benefits, and also has high High research value and social significance.Since there are differences in the mechanical properties of the original soil and the mounded hill materials in the process of construction waste mounding, as well as, differences in the soil quality in different regions, it is necessary to study the stability of the hill. In this paper, the following research results are obtained through actual case studies of typical landscape projects: first, geomechanical tests are conducted on the raw soil and construction waste mound hill materials to obtain the particle size ratios, maximum dry density and optimum moisture content, and compression modulus of specific mixes, and the triaxial shear test proves that each stress-strain curve basically conforms to the Duncan-Zhang hyperbolic relationship assumption before the peak occurs.Finally, numerical simulations were carried out for different working conditions in combination with the three-dimensional calculation model, and the calculation and analysis of the Bishop consolidation theory were used to obtain the settlement displacement, horizontal displacement development and pore pressure dissipation process of the calculation model. The landslide stability of the slope is calculated and the minimum safety coefficient under normal conditions and the minimum safety coefficient under seismic conditions are both calculated by Swedish method and Bishop method respectively, both of which meet the requirements and determine the technical feasibility and reasonableness of the scheme. In the conclusion part of this paper, the problems and handling measures in the construction process are summarized to provide valuable experience for similar projects.

The Effect of Perceived Real-Scene Environment of a River in a High-Density Urban Area on Emotions

Public sub-health has emerged as a pressing concern in densely populated urban areas. The urban environment, with its innate ability to modulate public emotions, harbors a precious resource in the form of urban rivers, which provide a serene and verdant space. This study focuses on the Liangma River in Chaoyang District, Beijing, selecting two rivers with diverse landscape features as the subjects of research. By employing physiological feedback data in conjunction with a subjective questionnaire, the emotional impact of high-density urban riverside spaces on individuals is quantitatively analyzed. Electrocardiogram (ECG) data, eye movement data, and the positive–negative emotion scale (PANAS) are subjected to data analysis. The study reveals the following key findings: (1) The riverside landscape in high-density urban areas exerts a positive influence on emotional well-being. Individuals in more natural river settings experience greater levels of contentment and relaxation, while those in areas with a higher proportion of artificial elements exhibit increased excitement and happiness. Moreover, scenes characterized by a greater degree of greening have a more pronounced soothing effect on mood. (2) A specific correlation between visual characteristics and emotional fluctuations is observed. The waterfront side of the trail exerts a stronger spatial attraction, and a higher proportion of blue and green spaces significantly contributes to stress relief. (3) The utilization of human-induced engineering technology, which captures emotional changes through physiological feedback, demonstrates a higher level of accuracy and is well-suited for small-scale studies. These findings highlight the potential of arranging diverse types of waterfront footpath landscapes in high-density urban areas and approaching waterfront landscape design and transformation from a novel perspective centered on health intervention. Such efforts hold promise for alleviating the daily pressures faced by the general public and fostering the development of a “healthy city”.

Research on Grus japonensis habitat requirements for developing restoration plans

As an endemic species in Asia, Grus japonensis reproduction and survival rely on natural wetland resources. In the Yancheng coastal wetlands, the wintering habitat of Grus japonensis had been destroyed due to rapid social and economic development. At the same time, its population also declined leading to land use changes. Therefore, it was urgent to conduct scientific restoration and management of the winter habitat. Based on the structural habitat demand for Grus japonensis, traffic light warning analysis and landscape structure index system were used to guide habitat restoration. The main conclusions were as follows: the population of Grus japonensis in Yancheng coastal wetlands reached its highest recorded number of 952 in 2000. The population showed a tendency to concentrate in the core area (CA) of the Yancheng National Nature Reserve (YNNR). The locations of restoration areas under yellow, green and peak historical state were determined by the traffic light warning analysis. Landscape indicator thresholds were set based on the landscape conditions of the habitat in 2000. After restoration, the habitat should contain at least two landscape types: Phragmites australis (P. australis), Suaeda salsa (S. salsa) and ponds, with a minimum patch area of 5.22–19.11 km2 and 5–17 patches. Habitat should be located at least 500 m from roads and farmland and 1000 m from residential areas. From the perspective of improving landscape diversity, “P. australis-pond habitat”, “P. australis-S. salsa habitat”, “Continuous P. australis habitat” and “Continuous S. salsa habitat” were constructed by landscape patterns. Finally, according to the land use situation around the habitat, the “Friendly” land use layout of “Salt marsh wetland--Low intensity ecological aquaculture pond--Farmland--Construction land” from sea to land was developed. This mode provides a reference for the habitat restoration of coastal wetlands.

Spatial-temporal heterogeneity in the influence of landscape patterns on trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services: a case study of the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi.

Exploring the role of landscape patterns in the trade-offs/synergies among ecosystem services (ESs) is helpful for understanding ES generation and transmission processes and is of great significance for multiple ES management. However, few studies have addressed the potential spatial-temporal heterogeneity in the influence of landscape patterns on trade-offs/synergies among ESs. This study assessed the landscape patterns and five typical ESs (water retention (WR), food supply (FS), habitat quality (HQ), soil retention (SR), and landscape aesthetics (LA)) on the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi and used the revised trade-off/synergy degree indicator to measure trade-offs/synergies among ESs. The multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model was constructed to determine the spatial-temporal heterogeneity in the influence of landscape patterns on the trade-offs/synergies. The results showed that (1) from 2000 to 2010, the increase in cultivated land and the decrease in forestland and grassland increased landscape diversity and decreased landscape heterogeneity and fragmentation. During 2010-2020, the change range decreased, the spatial distribution was homogeneous, and the landscape diversity and fragmentation in the northwestern area increased significantly. (2) The supply of the five ESs continued to increase from 2000 to 2020. During 2000-2010, FS-SR, FS-LA and SR-LA were dominated by synergies. From 2010 to 2020, the proportion of trade-off units in all relationships increased, and HQ-FS, HQ-SR and HQ-LA were dominated by trade-offs. (3) Landscape patterns had complex impacts on trade-offs/synergies, and the same landscape variable could have the opposite impact on specific trade-offs/synergies in different periods and areas. The results of this study will inform managers in developing regional sustainable ecosystem management strategies and advocating for more research to address ecological issues from a spatial-temporal perspective.

Where space is created societal values are generated – the case of the Sand Engine

A large sandy peninsula and beach were realized in Dutch coastal waters in the Sand Engine pilot project. In addition to the benefits for flood protection, the Sand Engine generates multiple other societal values. It provides a new type of landscape of uncommon size along the Holland coast where nature, culture, history and the future can come together. In this paper we discuss the added value of the Sand Engine for culture and the arts, its iconic value, and the development of knowledge in diverse sciences most notably morphology, archeology and paleontology, as well as its educational function. Then we explore how different governance modes can influence how the added value is generated and what type of societal value arises. We distinguish four different governance modes related to the level of control exercised and the level of autonomous societal development allowed by project initiators and managers: directive, co-creational, facilitatory and observational. Different modes can co-exist and may change over time. For the Sand Engine we find that the knowledge development was highly directed, archeology and paleontology were facilitated, while an observational mode was employed towards arts and culture. This leads to the inference that when the physical and societal space is created, societal value-added initiatives emerge. However, such emergence depends on the societal and institutional context as this can act to constrain or enable the type of societal value generated and the extent to which it is realized. Finally, we suggest that applying a more pro-active governance mode to the Sand Engine even at this stage could lead to more diverse and inclusive societal value generation.

Effect of translocation on home range and movements of giant gartersnakes

Conservation translocations are often used to connect disjunct populations or reintroduce them to otherwise suitable areas from which they have become locally extinct. Translocations, however, can alter wildlife movements and increase their exposure to hazards such as predation, thus increasing their risk of mortality. The giant gartersnake, Thamnophis gigas, is a wetland-dependent threatened species that has lost > 90% of its historical habitat. Certain species recovery may depend on the success of translocations in restoring populations. We translocated snakes from two donor sites—one managed wetland and one rice agriculture site—to a third restored wetland in Sacramento County, California, USA, to evaluate the impact of translocations on home ranges and movements. Translocated snakes had smaller home ranges after translocation for the 95% and 100% MCP estimation, had smaller net displacements, but had similar measures of sinuosity (index that measures the curvature of a movement path), total distance moved, and start-to-end distance compared to their individual measurements before translocation. Landscape type, however, had the greatest effect on home range estimates and movement measures, with resident snakes from the rice agriculture site having greater home ranges and net displacements, and greater, less sinuous seasonal movement paths than snakes from both the donor and recipient wetland sites. Results varied depending on the specific metric, but overall, translocated snakes tended to have intermediate values for home range size, movement distances, and sinuosity compared to the two resident groups. Our results suggest that although translocation did affect movement and space use relative to resident snakes, its effect depended on the donor habitat from which translocated snakes were removed. Because irregular movements are often linked to low survival after translocation, it is encouraging that translocated snakes did not move more than snakes from a donor rice agriculture site, a landscape that represents much habitat for remaining populations.

The role of natural landscapes for facilitating coaching: Exploratory findings from walking coaching experiences

Recent developments in coaching and coaching psychology have considered the outdoors as an alternative space within which to conduct coaching, in addition to the more traditional indoor environments. Research into walking coaching is therefore in its infancy and whilst the growing body of research in eco-therapy is relevant to coaching, little empirical research has been conducted as to how different types of landscapes may serve helping conversations, more specifically coaching. Drawing on the experiences of walking coaching clients, this study examines which landscapes are beneficial for coaching and why. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five walking coaching clients and analysed using semantic thematic analysis. Four themes were developed that identified landscapes as needing to be: i) expansive and spacious; ii) having variety; iii) a natural, less controlled environment; and iv) ones that challenge and support the self. These aspects not only provided the conditions for effective and insightful coaching, but also aligned themselves to the coaching process and relationship itself. Furthermore, participants were clear on what they needed from their environment for them to receive the full benefits of walking coaching. It is concluded that as the landscape is central to the process, it is important for coaches and coaching psychologists to consult with clients as to the types of outdoor environments that may be most beneficial for their coaching.

An empirical study on the response of university students to viewing autumn secondary forest phytocommunities landscape via virtual reality in Northeast China

Secondary forests play a critical role in the natural environment and have the potential to provide significant benefits for human physical and mental well-being. The secondary forests in the Sanhu National Nature Reserve, located in Northeast China, have extremely high ecological value. In this study, we selected seven types of secondary forest phytocommunities in this region, measured ecological indicators at various sites, and captured panoramic photos on-site. Virtual reality (VR) technology was used to present and record participants' electroencephalogram (EEG) data for studying neural activity. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 to evaluate the data obtained from the study. The results showed that participants preferred landscapes predominantly consisting of mixed forests of Pinus koraiensis mixed broad-leaved forest (FP1.α and FP2.α: p = 0.001), featuring colorful and verdant scenery. Experiencing these seven types of secondary forest landscapes through virtual reality improved participants' mood and had a positive impact on them. Within a certain range (300–400 m, 0-30°), participants favored landscapes with higher elevations (FP1.β: p = 0.008, FP2.β: p = 0.001, F3.β: p = 0.006) and gentler slopes (F3.θ: p = 0.002, F4.θ: p = 0.031, F8.θ: p = 0.005). Additionally, participants showed a preference for secondary forest landscapes with a moderate canopy density ranging from 0.7 to 0.8 (FP1.θ: p = 0.015, FP2.θ: p = 0.014). The study also found that participants preferred landscapes with a greater abundance of trees and shrubs, as well as taller and narrower trees. Moreover, our study revealed that males favored autumn forest landscapes more than females, with graduate students showing a stronger preference compared to undergraduates. Urban residents also displayed a stronger preference for these landscapes over rural residents, and individuals from the Southern region expressed a higher inclination than their Northern counterparts (T3.δ: p = 0.002, p = 0.001 for others). These findings can provide reference for the design and plant arrangement of urban forest landscapes.

Modeling of soil erosion risk in a typical tropical savannah landscape

Tropical savannah landscapes are faced with high soil degradation due to climate change and variability coupled with anthropogenic factors. However, the spatiotemporal dynamics of this is not sufficiently understood particularly, in the tropical savannah contexts. Using the Wa municipality of Ghana as a case, we applied the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model to predict the potential and actual soil erosion risk for 1990 and 2020. Rainfall, soil, topography and land cover data were used as the input parameters. The rate of predicted potential erosion was in the range of 0–111 t ha−1yr−1 and 0–83 t ha−1yr−1 for the years 1990 and 2020, respectively. The prediction for the rate of potential soil erosion risk was generally higher than the actual estimated soil erosion risk which ranges from 0 to 59 t ha−1yr−1 in 1990 and 0 to 58 t ha−1yr−1 in 2020. The open savannah areas accounted for 75.8 % and 73.2 % of the total soil loss in 1990 and 2020, respectively. The validity of the result was tested using in situ data from a 2 km2 each of closed savannah, open savannah and settlement area. By statistical correlation, the predicted soil erosion risk by the model corresponds to the spatial extent of erosion damages measured in the selected area for the validation. Primarily, areas with steep slopes, particularly within settlement, were identified to have the highest erosion risk. These findings underscore the importance of vegetation cover and effective management practices in preventing soil erosion. The results are useful for inferences towards the development and implementation of sustainable soil conservation practice in landscapes with similar attributes.

Сучасний стан гніздування журавля сірого (Grus grus) у Хмельницькій області

The present study summarizes the data, concerning the historical and the current status of the nesting population of the common crane on the southern margin of its nesting area on the Khmelnytskiy region territory, based on the analysis for 1800–2022. In the chronological plane the common crane is indicated as nesting, migratory (1800–1950), migratory (1951–1980), nesting, migratory (1981–1998), nesting (1993–1994), nesting, migratory (1999–2015). Based on the information presented in the article, as of 2022, the common crane in Khmelnytskiy region is a rare, nesting, migratory bird and common during seasonal migration. The material, presented in the article by the authors over the period of 2000–2022 as part of individual studies, reveals the current state of the nesting, number and some aspects of the nesting ecology. Thus, during the study period, 37 occurences of the species in the nesting season were recorded. The estimated nesting population in the study area accounts 21–25 pairs. Wetland complexes, which have status of the nature reserve fund objects of the local and national importance, where the 72.0–85.7 % of the local pairs of the total population in the region are concentrated. The Maliovanka Regional Landscape Park is of great importance for the protection and conservation of the species, where 60.0–71.4 % of the regional nesting population are concentrated. According to our data (n=34) the common crane individual nesting grounds in the nesting season were found in 3 types of landscape – the marshy banks of the decayed peat mines (39,4 %), transitional mesotron bogs (36,3 %) and swampy forests (mainly alder) in the floodplains of the small forest rivers (Lizne, Hnylyi Rih, Vilia). It has been established that the species has dispersed over the past 20 years in the westerly vector across the entire width of the Male Polissia from the Zhytomyr region towards the Rivne region. This is also confirmed by the findings of the territorial pairs in the last decade in the Male Polissia in Rivne and Lviv regions. It has been established, that the most suitable conditions for the nesting are in the eastern part of the Male Polissia in Khmelnytskiy region, due to the presence of the westland complexes, including the revived older peat mines of the 40–60s of the XX-th century. The presented in this article data may become a starting point for further monitoring and protection of the species.

Моделирование как прогноз трансформации почв при техногенном засолении

The problem of soil salinization is relevant not only for agricultural areas but also for mining, where brines enter the surface as formation water or runoff from sludge storage facilities and salt dumps of mining enterprises. Currently, there is little elaboration of assessment and lack of normative support (MPC, APC) for assessment of technogenic salinisation of soils. The aim of this research is to develop a mathematical model for predicting the transformation of soils affected by technogenic salinization. The research focuses on soils in three types of landscapes, namely eluvial, transitional, and alluvial, located in the area of technogenic salinization. To develop the model, information-logical analysis and soil indicators were employed. These indicators were determined by standard methods. According to the information-logical analysis the sodium adsorption coefficient is the dominant factor of soils’ salinity; descending further: calcium ion content, sulfates content in the soil water extract and the calculated indicators (∆pH and pH) of the salt extract. The model showed that the highest amount of toxic salts is observed when pHKCl ranges from 5.3 to 7.4, sulfate content is above 500 mg/kg, calcium content is above 1000 mg/kg, SAR is above 10, and ∆pH is below 0.5. These indicator values correspond to alluvial soils found in small river valleys; these soils are highly prone to transformation. Using the obtained information-logical model and soil indicators, it is possible to make a forecast of soil transformation under technogenic salinization.

Mapping Firescapes for Wild and Prescribed Fire Management: A Landscape Classification Approach

Risks associated with severe wildfire are growing in forest landscapes due to interactions among climate change, fuel accumulation from fire suppression, an expanding wildland–urban interface, and additional factors. People, infrastructure, ecosystem services, and forest health all face varying degrees of risk. The spatial distributions of the many social and ecological factors that influence wildfire, its impacts, and management responses are an important landscape-level context for managing risks and fostering resilient lands and communities. Decision-support tools that integrate these varied distributions can provide a holistic and readily interpreted characterization of landscapes, helping fire management decision making be appropriate, efficient, and effective. Firescapes—landscape types defined in relation to fire, its drivers, and its effects as a socioecological system—fill this role, providing a way to organize and interpret spatial variation along multiple relevant dimensions. We describe a quantitative approach for classifying and mapping firescapes for decision support, using the southeastern United States as a case study. We worked with regional partners to compile relevant large-scale datasets and identify 73 variables for analysis. We used factor analysis to reduce the data to eight factors with intuitive interpretations relevant to fire dynamics, fire history, forest characteristics, climate, conservation and ecosystem service values, social and ecological landscape properties, and social vulnerabilities. We then used cluster analysis on the factors to generate quantitative landscape classes, which we interpreted as nine distinctive firescape classes. The firescapes provide a broad-scale socioecological information context for wildfire risk management and planning. The analytical approach can accommodate different data types at a variety of scales, incorporate new monitoring data as they are available, and can be used under data-driven scenarios to assess possible consequences of future change. The resulting firescape maps can provide decision support to forest managers, planners, and other stakeholders, informing appropriate strategies to manage fire and associated risks, build community and forest resilience to fire, and improve conservation outcomes.

Geogas-Carried Metal Prospecting for Concealed Ore Deposits: A Review of Case Studies in China

Geogas-carried metal prospecting, an integral part of deep-penetrating geochemistry, is potentially effective in the geochemical exploration of concealed ore deposits. However, its principles and applicability remain controversial. This study summarizes and discusses the progress in geogas-carried metal prospecting in China. The method comprises three constituents: geogas, nanoparticles, and their vertical transportation. Researchers have failed to determine the exact contributions of different sources of geogas. Studies on Pb isotopes, rare earth element patterns of geogas, the comparisons between metals in soil, geogas, and ore geochemistry, and characteristics of nanoscale metals in earthgas (NAMEG), confirmed the relationship between NAMEG and concealed ore deposits. A statistical analysis of field experiments and applications showed that geogas-carried metal prospecting is applicable for the geochemical exploration of magmatic and hydrothermal Cu, Au, Zn, Pb, U, Sn, and Ag deposits and is suitable for most geochemical landscapes except deserts and cold swamps. Finally, genetic models of NAMEG anomalies were constructed. High-permeability migration channels are critical in the formation of NAMEG anomalies over concealed ore deposits. Future work entails applying geogas-carried metal prospecting to certain types of ore deposits and geochemical landscapes and studying NAMEG to provide quantitative information for targeting concealed ore deposits.