Natural Landscape Research Articles

Balancing Risks and Benefits: Stakeholder Perspective on Managing Non-Native Tree Species in the European Alpine Space

For centuries, non-native tree (NNT) species have been planted throughout Europe for ecosystem services including timber and urban greenery. Public interest in NNTs has recently increased due to their potential role in climate change adaptation as alternatives to vulnerable native forest tree species. However, opinions regarding the benefits and risks of European NNTs differ. Understanding stakeholder perceptions is crucial for guiding adaptive forest management, especially in sensitive ecosystems like the European Alpine Space. To assess awareness and perception, a structured questionnaire was administered to 456 respondents from six countries in the European Alpine Space. Most respondents were aware of the origin of native and NNT species in their area. NNTs and invasive-NNTs were primarily found in urban regions, with a perceived increase in their occurrence over the past 25 years. With some exceptions, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, the most common NNTs were generally perceived as potentially invasive. The perception of the invasiveness of NNTs correlated with their perceived risks and benefits on ecosystem services. The respondents who were unconcerned about invasiveness believed NNTs had a positive impact on provisioning services like timber, while those concerned about invasiveness perceived their negative effects on regulating cultural ecosystem services such as native biodiversity and landscape aesthetics. Overall, most respondents were conservative, opposing the promotion of NNTs, even in biodiversity-poor areas. Most stakeholders also believe that NNT regulations should prioritize their sustainable use and management rather than focusing solely on an invasive-centric narrative.

Estimation of spatial demographic maps from polymorphism data using a neural network.

A fundamental goal in population genetics is to understand how variation is arrayed over natural landscapes. From first principles we know that common features such as heterogeneous population densities and barriers to dispersal should shape genetic variation over space, however there are few tools currently available that can deal with these ubiquitous complexities. Geographically referenced single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are increasingly accessible, presenting an opportunity to study genetic variation across geographic space in myriad species. We present a new inference method that uses geo-referenced SNPs and a deep neural network to estimate spatially heterogeneous maps of population density and dispersal rate. Our neural network trains on simulated input and output pairings, where the input consists of genotypes and sampling locations generated from a continuous space population genetic simulator, and the output is a map of the true demographic parameters. We benchmark our tool against existing methods and discuss qualitative differences between the different approaches; in particular, our program is unique because it infers the magnitude of both dispersal and density as well as their variation over the landscape, and it does so using SNP data. Similar methods are constrained to estimating relative migration rates, or require identity by descent blocks as input. We applied our tool to empirical data from North American grey wolves, for which it estimated mostly reasonable demographic parameters, but was affected by incomplete spatial sampling. Genetic based methods like ours complement other, direct methods for estimating past and present demography, and we believe will serve as valuable tools for applications in conservation, ecology, and evolutionary biology. An open source software package implementing our method is available from https://github.com/kr-colab/mapNN .

Improvement of methods of rational use in conditions of land degradation in the Almaty region, Karasai district

The study was aimed at identifying the potential of modern methods of rational land use in the Karasai district of the Almaty region of Kazakhstan, taking into account their intensive degradation. The research methodology was represented by the methods of statistical observation, comparison, analytical-structural grouping and forecasting. The priority goals of modernisation of agriculture of the Republic in the technological aspect have been analysed. It was established that innovative approaches to land use have the potential to increase the level of efficiency of the agrarian sector, improve the state of local and regional landscape. The concept of improving the state of degraded lands, including a system of management measures and practical activities, has been developed. It was proved that it should be based on the synergy of economic efficiency and environmental safety, with the mandatory introduction of modern innovative technological approaches. The effectiveness of methods of rational use of degraded lands as an effective tool for the transformation of the agrarian sector has been determined. It was proposed to intensify the development of organic agricultural production, which is positioned as the gentlest for degraded landscapes. It was proved that the implementation of sustainable management of landscape complexes in the innovative context implies the use of information monitoring technology, which anticipates the diagnosis, genesis and forecasting of the state of the studied ecosystems. Such measures will make it possible to develop programmes for the restoration of ecological functions of natural landscapes, which is an integral part of sustainable development programmes. Actualised the situation in the context of ecologisation of land use in Kazakhstan, predicted further destruction of ecosystems of agrarian landscapes in case of use of aggressive methods of soil cultivation. The necessity of introduction of improved methods of rational land use is substantiated, and the specificity of the introduction of organic and biological technologies of agricultural production is outlined, with an indication of tangential risks and challenges in the economic realities of Kazakhstan. The study substantiated that the application of integrated management and ecosystem approach have a synergistic potential to ensure the rational use of land in the Almaty region, the Karasai district in the conditions of their degradation

The importance of rodents to a specialist carnivore in an industrialized site

Abstract Specialist carnivores are often among the first species disappearing from transformed, human-dominated landscapes. However, some carnivore species can exploit abundant food sources in human-dominated landscapes. In this study, we investigated the diet of a specialist carnivore, the serval (Leptailurus serval), inhabiting artificial and natural landscapes surrounding a petrochemical plant in the Highveld of Mpumalanga, South Africa. From 2013 to 2018, for each year, we collected and analysed a total of 264 scat samples. We found that rodent species dominated the serval diet, while other prey items like birds, insects, and unidentified prey contributed little to the diet. In terms of biomass consumed, Otomys sp (56.94 %), Mastomys sp (19.12 %), and Rhabdomys sp (8.68 %) were the most important rodent prey. We further found that biomass consumed is only affected by species, not season or species–season interactions. Our results concur with previous studies that serval is primarily a rodent specialist and that specialisation holds even in human-altered landscapes.

Building and communicating territorial brand values: The case of Destination British Columbia

In today's interconnected world, effectively communicating territorial values is paramount for regions seeking to distinguish themselves globally. Effective destination branding requires carefully synthesizing cultural, historical, natural, and socioeconomic elements to create an enticing identity for tourists, investors, and locals. How a region communicates its unique attributes is crucial in shaping its perception and attractiveness in a highly competitive global market. British Columbia is a prime example of successful destination branding, thanks to its remarkable cultural diversity and breathtaking natural landscapes. BC has effectively conveyed its values and appeal to a worldwide audience through various innovative strategies and platforms. This paper explores BC's communication efforts through its website and social media, analyzing how it conveys its essence to a diverse audience and positions itself on the world stage. Ultimately, BC's success in this domain highlights the critical role of effective territorial value communication in today's globalized world.

Exploring the Possibilities of Omani Landscapes as Venues for International Fashion Events

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyse the potential of promoting international fashion events in Oman and to analyse how the use of Omani landscapes as venues can encourage international fashion events. Design/methodology/approach: The study used a mixed-method approach to gather data. Interview with seven experts from the tourism and fashion background was conducted to get their views on the possibility of Oman’s Natural Landscape as an International Fashion venue. Additionally, an online survey was used to collect the data from the youth aged between 18 and 41, to get their perspective. The participants were generally students and academics related to fashion education. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used in the study. Findings: The overall results show that although Oman’s unique landscape has the potential to host international fashion events, there is still a lack of knowledge on the economic significance of the fashion industry as a whole and international fashion events in particular. Additionally, it was found that there is a need for Government attention and planning to promote and develop interest in international fashion events. Research limitations/implications: This study proved that Oman can expand its target market for tourism through hosting international fashion events. Oman is promoted as a niche destination rich in culture and landscape and fashion-induced tourism could be Oman’s future trend. Social Implications: This study brought out the anticipated challenges and opportunities to support planning and bidding for international fashion events, and with proper research and planning it could be overcome but also leave a mark in standards of tourism and fashion. Originality / Value: Since this is a relatively new concept, this study would be the blueprint for different stakeholders who share an interest in showcasing the Sultanate as a fashion tourism destination. Keywords: Omani Landscapes, Fashion Tourism, Event Management, International Fashion Events, Tourism in Oman.

Lethal wolf control elicits change in moose habitat selection in unexpected ways

AbstractMoose (Alces alces) and woodland caribou (Ranger tarandus caribou) are the 2 large prey species for wolves (Canis lupus) in the Nearctic boreal forest in North America. Caribou have declined, with widespread anthropogenic disturbance as the ultimate cause and wolf predation as the proximal cause. To conserve caribou the government of Alberta, Canada initiated a wolf control program to reduce predation rates on caribou populations and contribute to caribou population recovery. Predators play an important role in shaping the structure and function of ecosystems through top‐down forces. We hypothesized that the strongest factors influencing moose occurrences would reflect changes in predation risk before and after the onset of wolf control. We weighed evidence for competing hypothesis by deploying cameras across a highly industrialized landscape in Alberta for 3 years after wolf control (2017–2020), capitalizing on 3 years of existing data before the onset of wolf control (2011–2014). We created generalized linear models representing competing hypotheses about moose response to natural and anthropogenic landscape features before and after wolf control, examining support for each in an information‐theoretic framework. Prior to wolf control, the model containing landscape features providing security cover was best‐supported, but this was scale‐dependent. After wolf control, the model containing landscape features that offer increased forage opportunities was best‐supported. Unexpectedly, the direction of effect was often opposite to predictions, with moose avoiding some features thought to provide security and forage. We demonstrate that lethal predator control affects the spatial distribution of its primary prey species but in ways we do not fully comprehend, highlighting the need for a better understanding of community dynamics following wolf control.

How exposure to natural landscapes can decrease the tendency toward delinquent behavior: the role of delay discounting

How exposure to natural landscapes can decrease the tendency toward delinquent behavior: the role of delay discounting

χὠς ἴδον, ὣς ἐμάνην. Space, Desire and the Female Gaze in Hellenistic Poetry

Abstract This paper studies the female gaze at the intersection of space, genre and gender in three Hellenistic poets who have explored the female viewpoint in their works, namely Apollonius of Rhodes, Theocritus and Herodas. The female gaze covers all the stages of desire from erotic fantasy to sexual fulfillment, and is contingent on both aesthetic factors and the sociocultural background of gender roles. It reflects the power dynamics between male and female and also becomes a means of subverting male authority by the gazing female. In Hellenistic poetry, the various degrees of female liberation through the control of the gaze vary depending on the spaces occupied by women. I argue that women, initially confined in the oikos according to the conventions of epic poetry, are represented as being gradually liberated in natural and urban spaces, the emblematic spaces of the neoteric genres of the bucolic idyll and the mime; this shift in gender dynamics is conveyed through the illustration of the female gaze in distinct genres of poetry and their respective symbolic spaces, namely the house, the natural landscape, and the city.

Ergatic approach to reconstruction and modeling of the spatial future of Ukraine

ABSTRACT The article expresses the idea of ergaticity and the ergatic approach (behavioral model) in decision-making on the spatial development of Ukraine, which considers the state and its space as a ‘system-process’ that is characterized by behavior, the ability to self-organize and self-develop, and the choice of effective behavior in changing realities and situations. Foreign and domestic scientific sources, statistical compilations, project materials, strategies, and programs for the development of Ukraine, its regions, and cities served as source data. The authors use long-term monitoring of processes at different hierarchical levels of the space of the state, their dynamics, and changes. The study resulted in the substantiation of the conceptual provisions of the ergatic approach to planning and modeling the spatial future of Ukraine. The suggested spatial changes relate to functional and urban zoning of the territories of the state; development of connections and understanding of the multidimensional dynamics of processes in the territory; placement of new elements and investments in the existing structure of natural landscape and urban planning conditions; spatial, temporal, structural, and parametric coordination of processes in the space of the state and creation of systemic effects of using the capacity of ergaticity in the spatial development of Ukraine.

Park Heritage of the Island of Krk between Urban Transformations and Climate Change

The island of Krk in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia, is also called the Golden Island because of its favorable geographical location, the diversity of natural and urban landscapes, the beauty of the coast and the sea, the wealth of tangible and intangible heritage, and especially because of the opportunities for living and working. During the last century and in this century, urban landscapes have been exposed to dramatic changes that transformed old castles or former smaller settlements of the local population into tourist centers and desirable places for permanent or temporary residence. A significant part of their complex structure is the cultural and historical heritage, within which the island’s park heritage has so far been insufficiently recognized and valued. Therefore, this paper examines forty selected public park spaces in the area of all local self-government units of the island of Krk in the context of urban transformations and climate change. It is concluded that the island’s park heritage has often been created as a result of urban transformations in which, despite being exposed to constant changes, it is mostly preserved, but that recently, new elements of this heritage are emerging. A new challenge is the threat of the consequences of climate change—increasingly frequent and long-lasting droughts, extreme precipitation and flash floods, stormy winds, rising sea level and salinization, which further emphasizes the need to preserve the park heritage of the island of Krk in the context of resistance to climate change.

Gamified interaction and urban regeneration: an analysis of serious game participation in rural architectural transformation and its influential factors

ABSTRACT This study investigates the utilization of serious games in rural public building design and their impact on residents’ contentment with building renovations. It highlights serious games’ role as an interactive medium for education, training, and communication, specifically in enhancing residents’ approval of rural public building designs. Employing the concept of diegesis from narratology, the study develops a structural equation modelling (SEM) by dividing games into intra-diegetic and extra-diegetic components. This model examines the influence of Game Participation (GP) and Learning Participation (LP) in serious games on satisfaction with updated building designs, as well as the direct and indirect impacts of various factors on these dynamics. The research methodology encompassed creating and applying a serious game focused on architectural design, accompanied by thorough quantitative analysis of the gaming process and results. The study tested multiple hypotheses regarding the positive impacts of game interactivity, perceived creativity, immersive experiences, game quality, atmosphere, and environment on GP and LP. Notably, the beneficial effect of game engagement on learning engagement and the significant positive influence of GP and LP on design satisfaction underscore the potential of serious games in improving educational outcomes and satisfaction with building renovations. Additionally, enjoyment was identified as having a substantial positive moderating effect on the relationships between GP and Design Satisfaction (DS) and between LP and DS, underscoring the importance of enhancing the appeal and engagement of serious games in their design. Additionally, as the game advanced, participants increasingly aligned their opinions on various design aspects, particularly emphasizing the importance of integrating natural landscapes as a key environmental consideration in community redevelopment.

Perspectives on U.S. University research reactor policy

Abstract Widely promoted by the Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s and 1960s, university research reactors allowed faculty to experiment with neutron scattering, advancing our understanding of organic and inorganic materials. These advances led to innovations in commercial products, including automobiles, computers, medicine, and batteries. However, since the 1980s, more than half of all the university research reactors have been decommissioned and remaining reactors are ill-suited for modern needs. RTI International assembled a team of economists, neutron scientists, and policy analysts to examine the history of university research reactor policy in the USA, assess barriers to greater usage, and consider how US policy differs from those in other countries. We present three policy options to enhance the role of university research reactors in federal research and the national science infrastructure landscape.

Exploring Built and Natural Landscapes, Land Cover, and Environmental Justice Using Web-Based Tools

Exploring Built and Natural Landscapes, Land Cover, and Environmental Justice Using Web-Based Tools

On the road to losing connectivity: Faecal samples provide genome-wide insights into anthropogenic impacts on two large herbivore species in central India.

Humans have impacted most of the planet, and the ensuing fragmentation results in small, isolated habitat patches posing a risk of genetic diversity loss, inbreeding, and genetic load. Understanding how natural and anthropogenic landscape features affect gene flow among habitat patches is critical for maintaining connectivity. Genome-wide data are required to comprehend the impacts of recent fragmentation, which can be challenging when only non-invasive samples are available. Here, we build upon advancements in conservation genomics to address connectivity of two large herbivores, gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor) in central India. Given their habitat associations, we expected these species to respond similarly to habitat fragmentation. We used faecal-DNA and methylation-based host-DNA enrichment with modified ddRAD protocol to generate genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data for 124 gaur and 99 sambar individuals. Our findings reveal that gaur populations in central India are fragmented, displaying high genetic differentiation, with drift significantly affecting small populations like Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary. Although sambar shows low genetic structure, another small population, Bor Tiger Reserve is genetically differentiated. Our results suggest that although land cover change and roads restrict animal movement, the extent of this impact varies across the two species. We show that different species respond differently to landscape features, even with similar habitat associations. We highlight small and isolated populations requiring urgent conservation intervention. Such multi-species approaches enhance our understanding of cross-species connectivity patterns. We suggest shifting from single-species to multi-species holistic conservation approach in rapidly developing landscapes to better manage co-occurring endangered species.

Revisiting history and nature: comparative preservation for Chinese historic gardens

Liu Dunzhen, Chen Congzhou, and Tong Jun are three of the most prominent scholars of historic garden preservation in China. Drawing on the historical context of gardens, these scholars present distinct approaches that reflect varying priorities for preserving cultural gems. Liu concentrates on re-establishing authentic fabric in successive phases, whereas Chen aims to reconstruct the garden’s heyday fabric through cross-sectioning of significant artistic values. While Liu and Chen seek to revive original condition, Tong values the garden’s existing condition. In addition to attitudes towards preserving history, these scholars’ nuanced understandings of nature’s enduring essence also make contributions. Liu interprets nature in gardens through intertwining painting techniques with natural landscapes. Chen explains the spiritual essence of nature as genuine feelings for an envisioned setting. By contrast, Tong delves into a mindful contemplation of ‘not with distinction’, fostering a human-nature connection via empathic taste deriving from Daoist context. In conclusion, these three scholars’ efforts, rooted in Chinese culture, aim to benefit the poetical dwelling of human beings, from visual pleasure to sensory invocations, to philosophical allusions. This comparative study not only critically reassesses their practices and theories, but also showcases a promising outlook for garden heritage study in the future.

Debate on Addressing Income and Wealth Inequality among the Australian People

In Australia, the issue of income and wealth inequality has steadily intensified over the past few decades, posing a concerning trend in this developed nation. This rising economic disparity not only impacts the financial well-being of citizens but also affects the national economy and political landscape. John Passant, who is committed to investigating ways to alleviate inequality in Australia, has put forth a tax reform proposal encompassing two distinct approaches--Buffet Rule for both individuals and companies and wealth taxes. However, it is essential to note that two other papers present contrasting viewpoints, casting doubt on the effectiveness of Passant's proposals. These two papers raise specific points of contention, prompting a nuanced and skeptical examination of Passant's suggestions, considering the diverse perspectives and empirical evidence presented. In evaluate, mitigating the income and wealth inequality in Australia necessitates a comprehensive and well-informed approach that takes into account the broader economic and social context.

Taking refuge in melancholy amidst natural landscapes: Zhang Dai’s idle life in the Ming-Qing transition

During the middle to late periods of the Ming Dynasty, the commercial economy experienced striking development, yet political corruption and congestion of the imperial civil service examination system deprived many scholars of a pathway for elevation. Many people therefore opened up new avenues, preparing for the examinations while simultaneously exploring different ways of life, expanding new fields of activity so as to realize value in life. Zhang Dai 張岱, who originated from a great clan in Shaoxing, was one such person. Whilst reading, assembling scholars, critiquing theater, and engaging in other activities, he gradually created considerable renown and achievements for himself. In reviewing Zhang Dai’s life, his inability to enact change in the face of the incoherent society of the late Ming Dynasty was the first great tragedy of his life. He endured by leading a life of pleasure, realizing his ambition of accomplishing great things in a roundabout fashion. After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, he experienced the second tragedy in his life, which caused him to nostalgically ponder the events of the past and, in his extreme grief, he resorted to the writing brush to express his thoughts and emotions, including writing history to pass on what was left of his life. Throughout his life, Zhang Dai produced many written works, perennially relying upon his writing to make a living, and leisure, extravagance, comfort, sorrow, lamentations and grief for the world all became subjects of his writing, ultimately allowing him to find a different path in life and achieve longevity in academic and cultural history.

Human activities are intensifying the spatial variation of landslides in the Yellow River Basin

Human activities are a triggering factor for landslides in the Yellow River Basin (YRB, China). However, the extent to which the spatial distribution of landslides is affected by human activities is unclear. We constructed a human activity intensity index (HAII) based on nighttime light data and land cover data. Regression and dominance analyses were used to compare the effects of the HAII, precipitation, distance to river, distance to fault, topographic relief and slope on the landslides spatial density (LSD). The results showed that in the YRB, the HAII, as a dominance influencing factor, had a significant positive influence on the LSD. Moreover, regional differences in the human disturbance of nature intensify the spatial variation of LSD. To quantify the intensity of human disturbance to nature, a human-nature conflict index (HNCI) is constructed by quantifying the difference between the slope distributions of artificial and natural landscapes. The results show that in the middle section of the YRB, humans are developing more steep mountainous areas, leading to more dense landslides. This study provides a reference for landslide risk management and land use planning in the YRB.

Coastal processes and dune stability: Insights from wave transmission and runup modeling

Dunes not only serve as natural landscapes but also act as crucial natural barriers protecting coastlines from storm surges. However, the stability of coastlines and dunes is further affected by climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm activity. An effective evaluation of dune stability necessitates the collection of parameters such as wave height, changes in dune crest elevation, and dune erosion rates. This research employs wave flumes and high-speed camera technology in laboratory settings to observe and simulate coastal dynamics under overwash and collision regimes. The study investigates wave propagation under both regimes using the XBeach model. In the overwash regime, the model slightly overestimates the values of infragravity waves, whereas its accuracy improved under the collision regime. Moreover, in the overwash regime, higher wave skewness results in more sediment transport to the shore, exhibiting a linear relationship between sediment erosion volume and shoreline retreat distance. Through comparison with time series wave runup data obtained by cameras and traditional predictive formulas, the study validates the applicability of the formula proposed by Stockdon as a predictive tool for wave runup in this experiment. To evaluate dune stability, the study introduces the dimensionless overwash threshold parameter Cs, which is based on wave runup and dune crest elevation, to distinguish between dunes in a collision regime or an overwash regime. These findings help identify dune stability patterns, aiding in early detection of coastal erosion and assisting authorities in ecosystem management.