Landscape Planning Research Articles

Dynamic analysis of landscape drivers in the thermal environment of Guanzhong plain urban agglomeration

Climate change caused by rapid urbanization in the Guanzhong region of China is becoming an increasingly significant problem. Previous empirical studies have confirmed that landscape patterns inextricably linked with the thermal environment, but static results based on a single temporal cross section of image data provide only a partial understanding. In this paper, we constructed a dynamic framework using Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) for temperature simulation and Geodetector to study the landscape factors and their interactions that influence near-surface temperature (NST) changes in the Guanzhong Plain Urban Agglomeration (GPUA) between 2000 and 2020. Results showed that the GPUA average NST increased by 0.012 °C and 0.053 °C in January and July from 2000 to 2020, respectively. In terms of the dynamic correlation between landscape patterns and NST, cropland (CPL) was negative, urban land (UBL) was positive, and the remainder of the landscapes differed in winter and summer. Furthermore, results from the Geodetector showed that UBL embodied a stronger influence in summer than during winter months. This finding helps to explain why the average NST increase is higher in summer than during winter. The Dynamic Q values (DQ) of the area-based landscape metrics were generally larger than those of other spatial configuration metrics, and the interaction results showed that the landscape metrics of various land-cover classifications were enhanced, indicating that the superposition effect among landscape metrics needs to be taken into account in landscape planning in addition to area factors. The study of the relationship between landscape patterns and thermal environment considering dynamic perspective using WRF offers an important theoretical reference allied with practical guidance for understanding and adapting to forthcoming change in our climate through which we can help drive sustainable development decisions of the GPUA.

Research on Teaching Reform of Landscape Engineering Course based on the Concept of CDIO

With the advancement of new engineering construction, it is urgent to explore the teaching reform of professional courses in the cultivation of landscape architecture professionals in combination with industry needs. In order to solve the problems existing in the current Landscape Engineering course, such as traditional teaching methods, insufficient student interest, lack of practical links, and the disconnection between teaching content and industry demand. This study discusses the teaching reform of the Landscape Engineering course based on the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) concept, aiming at solving the problems mentioned. Through the integration of CDIO mode, the core competencies that students should have are defined, including environmental landscape design and planning, innovative thinking, project management, and so on. The research emphasizes project-driven learning, interdisciplinary knowledge integration, and practical skill training, and puts forward strategies such as teacher training and professional development support to ensure the implementation of the reform. The purpose of the reform was to improve students’ professional ability and employment competitiveness, promote the improvement of education quality and the sustainable development of the industry, and exert a positive impact on landscape engineering education and industry progress.

A 3D Spatial Model to integrate Stormwater Drainage Design into Public Space

Abstract. This paper explores the integration of water sensitive urban design within public space planning using integrated 3D digital technologies. In traditional design processes, drainage and public space design often utilise distinct software and are led by different professionals, which creates significant communication barriers.Although civil and hydraulic engineers have made significant strides in integrating hydrology analysis with multi-objective space design, the collaboration of conventional 2D hydrology with 3D landscape design still presents challenges. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel approach that integrates drainage analysis and design within a 3D design model. This methodology is specifically designed to aid landscape and urban designers in incorporating stormwater management and drainage systems early in the design process. The approach involves three key steps: (1) identifying critical factors that impact, or are impacted by, drainage design; (2) translating these factors into specific spatial parameters; and (3) developing a workflow to integrate these parameters. This integration not only streamlines the design process, making it more cohesive and efficient but also mitigates potential conflicts between drainage requirements and spatial design, thereby reducing unnecessary revisions. Ultimately, this approach enhances the incorporation of essential drainage considerations into urban and landscape planning, leading to more sustainable and functional public spaces.

Nature vs. nurture: Drivers of site productivity in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) forests in the southeastern US

Forest productivity is one of the most important aspects of forest management, landscape planning, and climate change assessment. However, although there are multiple elements known to affect productivity, most of them rely on the “nature” of the edaphic, climatic, and geographic conditions, and only some specific aspects can be modified through forest management or “nurture”. Through evaluation of site resource availability and an understanding of the main drivers of productivity, management can present solutions to overcome site resource limitations to productivity. Therefore, understanding the implications of a specific management regime requires understanding what drives productivity across large spatial extents and among different management regimes. In this study, we used data from over 1 million hectares of industrial forestland, covering over 6000 different soils and several management regimes of Pinus taeda L. plantations, as well as plot-based data from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, facilitating a comparison of planted and natural Pinus taeda stands. Combined with US Geological Survey LiDAR data, we computed site index and generated wall-to-wall productivity maps for planted Pinus taeda stands in the southeastern US, as well as point-based site index estimates for the FIA dataset. We modeled site index using a random forest algorithm considering edaphic, geologic, and physiographic province information based on the Forest Productivity Cooperative “SPOT” system, and also included climate and management history data. Our model predicted site index with an R2 of 0.701 and RMSE of 1.41 m on the industrial data and R2 of 0.417 and RMSE of 1.84 m for the FIA data. We found that year of establishment of the forest, physiographic province, and geology, were the most important drivers of site index. The soil classification modifier indicating root restrictions were the most important soil-specific variable. Additionally, we found an average increase in site index of 3.05 m since the 1950s for all FIA data, and an average increase of 4.73 m for all industrial data since the 1970s. For the latest period analyzed (2000–2012), average site index in planted FIA plots was 1.2 m higher than naturally regenerated FIA plots, and site index in all industrial forestland had a site index almost 3 m greater than planted FIA plots. Overall, we believe this work sets the foundation for better understanding of forest productivity and highlights the importance of intensive silviculture to improve productivity, and as an additional tool to achieve the economic, environmental, and social objectives.

A Methodological Framework to Enhance Potential Spatial Planning to Support Agroecological Transition at the Scale of Local Territories

Agroecological transition requires research and actions at the scale of local territories, in which agricultural activities interact with the environment and natural resources depending on a territory’s spatial configuration. To support the agroecological transition, there is an urgent need to design and implement new spatial configurations. For this, local public authorities in France can be considered as an interesting level of governance, because of their skills in spatial planning and their interest in agriculture, to ensure the ecological transition of their territory. However, new methodological frameworks need to be developed to support the design of new spatial configurations of territories, by constructing representations of the territory that consider both agricultural and socio-environmental issues, and by involving agricultural and non-agricultural stakeholders so that both can project themselves into the new spatial configurations. We developed a new methodological framework at the interface between landscape agronomy and landscape architects’ approaches, and experimented with applying this framework in the Urban Community of Dunkirk (UCD), which was performing a spatial planning approach called a Landscape Plan and proposing to create an Agricultural Park. The results show that the implementation of the methodological framework enabled the construction of a spatially explicit and place-based representation including the spatial issues of farming systems. These representations enable a local authority’s stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of the agricultural issues and consider changes in the spatial configuration of the Agricultural Park. In the discussion, we question the adaptation of the framework in rural territory and highlight the limitations of local authorities as the level of governance at which to address the agroecological transition at the territorial scale.

Used in Urban Area for Landscape Planning and Design Spatial and Temporal Variations in Chromium (Cr) Concentrations in Picea orientalis L.

This study investigates the spatial and temporal variations in chromium (Cr) concentrations in Picea orientalis L., across different directions (north, east, south, and west) and plant organs (outer bark, inner bark, and wood) in a forested region. The research, conducted over eight age periods spanning 1980 to 2020, aimed to assess the effectiveness of Picea orientalis L. as a biomonitor for Cr pollution. The highest Cr concentrations were observed in the east direction, particularly in the inner bark and wood, while the lowest levels were found in the west. The study was conducted in an urban area near the industrial zone and highway, as well as in forested regions. A total of 100 trees were selected for the study, with samples collected from three different organs: outer bark (OB), inner bark (IB), and wood. Samples were taken from each organ at breast height (approximately 1.3 meters above the ground) to ensure consistency. The sampling covered various age periods, specifically 1980–2020, to analyze temporal changes in Cr concentrations. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in Cr concentrations across most directions and periods, with notable increases during certain periods, especially in the west direction. These variations can be attributed to several factors, including the proximity to industrial sources of pollution, which typically release higher levels of chromium into the environment. The eastern direction likely experiences greater exposure to these emissions due to prevailing wind patterns and urban runoff, leading to increased accumulation in Picea orientalis L. Additionally, seasonal changes, temperature fluctuations, and soil characteristics may influence the bioavailability of chromium, affecting its uptake by the tree. The results suggest that Picea orientalis L. can effectively reflect Cr pollution levels, with significant directional and temporal variations that highlight the influence of these environmental factors on Cr accumulation. This study underscores the potential of Picea orientalis L. as a valuable tool for monitoring and managing Cr pollution in forested environments.

The Effects of Spatial Structure and Development Intensity of the Urban Landscape on Bird Biodiversity in Anhui Province

Exploring the factors that drive changes in biodiversity is a hot and critically important topic in landscape ecology and biogeography. In this study, semi-structured citizen science data and bird distribution maps were employed to gather data from 2015 to 2020 for the calculation of bird species richness, the Shannon index, and the Pielou index in Anhui Province. These metrics were utilized to assess avian biodiversity and to elucidate the spatial patterns of biodiversity distribution across the region. In this research, a structural equation model (SEM) was utilized to investigate the relationships between the three dimensions of landscape spatial structure, urban development intensity, and environmental factors on bird biodiversity, and a conceptual framework was established to identify the key driving factors. The validity, reliability, and fit of the hypothesized model were substantiated through rigorous testing, demonstrating its reasonableness. The results indicate the following: (1) In landscape spatial structure, landscape composition and configuration play crucial roles in influencing bird diversity. An increased proportion of cultivated land negatively impacts bird diversity, whereas the expansion of forested areas promotes it. At the configuration level, the Largest Patch Index (LPI) significantly enhances bird diversity, serving as the primary driving force. Landscape spatial structure affects bird diversity both directly, through its composition, and indirectly, through its configuration. (2) The dimension of urban development intensity generally shows significant negative impacts; among these, GDP has the greatest comprehensive impact and shows a significant negative impact. (3) Topography has the greatest overall impact on bird diversity among the environmental factors, with a predominantly direct positive effect. (4) Overall, urban landscape spatial structure and urban development intensity are the main driving forces of bird diversity in Anhui Province, the greatest of which is the direct effect of the urban development intensity. These results provide an important scientific basis for landscape planning and ecological protection and provide inspiration for assessing the driving factors of animal and plant diversity in other regions.

Research on the influence mechanism of park landscape characteristics on psychological perception around expressway based on soundscape theory: a case study of Chengdu Bailuwan Wetland Park

With the continuous development of China's transportation infrastructure strategies and urbanization, urban road networks have seen ongoing improvement. Yet noise pollution along expressways is gradually becoming a prominent issue within the broader challenge of urban noise. Noise control has recently emerged as a bottleneck for building livable cities, while well-designed landscapes can improve the quality of psychological perception. By precisely quantifying the multi-sensory composite perception characteristics of urban green space landscapes, this research explores the mechanism through which such landscapes influence psychological perception. The study site was selected in Bailuwan Wetland Park, Chengdu. Objective and subjective environmental data and questionnaire feedback were collected through sound walks and big data analysis based on the geographic information system, after which quantitative analysis was conducted on how landscape environmental characteristics influence environmental experiential perception. The research explores the mechanism of the influence of the regulation of landscape environment characteristic elements on psychological perception and constructs a visual prediction model to provide a universal theoretical basis and methodological support for the planning and regulation of urban green space landscape along expressways, which is of positive significance in guiding the regulation of landscape space.

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLACE ATTACHMENT AND YOUTH’S INVOLVEMENT IN RICE FIELD ACTIVITIES

Youth’s experience, knowledge and values in relation to rice field activities play an important role in motivating the youth to get involved in these activities. However, there is a lack of research that focuses on the relationship between place attachment and activity involvement. The aim of this paper is to explore the relationship between place attachment and rural youth’s involvement in rice field activities. Three homestays in Kedah were selected as case studies and quantitative (302 questionnaires) approaches were applied to achieve the objective. The questionnaire survey was conducted among youth aged 20 - 34 years old. Major findings in this study include a positive relationship between place attachment and youth activity involvement. Youth who have knowledge, experience, and values in relation to rice field activities are inclined to be involved in homestay activities. The findings of this study contribute to the theories regarding youth activity involvement and place attachment. It is suggested that practitioners in built environment, tourism planning and landscape planning as well as parents should help to encourage the youth to get involved in rice field activities in homestay programmes and in their daily lives.

Landscape Planning Aided by Reinforcement Learning Decision System in Environmental Design

Landscape Planning Aided by Reinforcement Learning Decision System in Environmental Design

Effects of habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services and their trade-offs in Southwest China: A multi-perspective analysis

Exploring the relationships between habitat fragmentation on ecosystem services (ESs) is important for ecological conservation and spatial pattern optimisation. However, analyzing the influence of different habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs from a multiple perspective is still relatively lacking. Therefore, taking Southwest (SW) China as an example, this paper evaluated the dynamics and trade-off relationship of four main types of ESs (i.e., carbon storage (CS), grain production (GP), water retention (WR), soil retention (SR)) during 2000–2020, and analyzed the effects of four habitat fragmentation processes (i.e., decreasing habitat area, increasing habitat density, increasing habitat shape complexity and decreasing habitat cohesion) on ESs and their trade-offs by using geographically and temporally weighted regression model. The results showed that ESs showed a deterioration trend during 2000–2020, with GP, WR, CS, SR, and total ecosystem services (TES) declined by 66.45 %, 54.33 %, 41.68 %, 76.25 % and 65.83 %, respectively. The GP-SR, GP-CS and GP-WR pairs exhibited trade-offs, while other ES types pairs exhibited synergies with each other. Increasing habitat density and increasing in habitat shape complexity were the two strongest fragmentation processes influencing ESs and their trade-offs. The effects of various habitat fragmentation processes on ESs and their trade-offs have obvious spatial heterogeneity. With changes in terrain relief, proportion of karst area, habitat quality, and urbanization level, the association of habitat fragmentation-ESs and habitat fragmentation-ESs trade-offs existed different sensitivities. The results can provide effective guidance for landscape planning and ecosystem management in the SW.

Impacts of landscape configurations on ecosystem services and their trade-offs across different landscape compositions

Landscape sustainability depends on the design of landscape patterns that can be guided by ecosystem services (ESs). Clarifying the impacts of landscape configurations on ESs and their trade-offs will facilitate landscape planning and management to achieve the best design without changing most landscape compositions. However, limited work has focused on these impacts, and whether these impacts are the same on different compositions remains unexplored. Thus, this study analyzes the impacts of landscape configurations on ESs and their trade-offs for different compositions. In this analysis, Gaussian mixture model was used to cluster the landscape by compositions, five important ESs (crop production, water yield, carbon storage, soil retention, and outdoor recreation) were quantified, and the constraint line was used to analyze the impact, taking the Xiangjiang River Basin as an example. Results showed that three clusters of landscape compositions, which are similar to the urban–rural–natural gradient, were identified. Furthermore, the impacts of landscape configurations on ESs and their trade-offs had largely the same direction in different compositions. However, change in landscape composition makes the high correlations among them weaker or shift to constraint impacts. Based on the results of the study, we can not only contribute to local landscape development but also argue three general approaches for landscape planning and management. First, considering the trade-offs and making a choice adapted to local conditions. Second, adjusting landscape configurations with virtually no changes of compositions. Third, external intervention based on rational landscape configurations.

Soil organic carbon sequestration can be promoted through the improvement of landscape configuration heterogeneity in typical agricultural regions of northeast China

Landscape heterogeneity is considered a promising option for building resilient and sustainable agroecosystems. Understanding the relationships between farmland soil organic carbon (SOC) and landscape heterogeneity can support soil carbon sequestration and better serve food security and climate change. However, the influence extent and optimal scale of farmland landscape heterogeneity (i.e. landscape composition and landscape configuration heterogeneity) on SOC remains unclear. In this study, we established the relationships between multi-scale landscape heterogeneity and SOC in a typical grain-production county of northeast China. Stepwise regression results showed that when the buffer radius was 2000 m, the interpretation of SOC by landscape heterogeneity was the largest. The effects of landscape composition and landscape configuration on SOC were further decomposed by Variance Partitioning Analysis, and we found that independent interpretation ability of landscape configuration (8%) exceeded landscape composition (7%). The result of soil mapping combined with landscape indexes also showed that landscape configuration contributed more to the increased accuracy. Moreover, we found that correlation between configuration indexes and SOC at the class level was less related than that at the landscape level, among which the two most important indexes were Mean Fractal Dimension Index (FRAC_MN) and Number of Patches (NP). FRAC_MN was even more important than natural factors, indicating the validity of landscape as an indicator of human activities should not be ignored when considering farmland SOC. Overall, the results of this study revealed that the negative effects of agricultural intensification on SOC can be buffered to a certain extent by increasing the complexity of patch shape and reducing the degree of landscape fragmentation at the landscape level, providing hope for the sustainable development in intensive agricultural areas. In addition, due to the scale effect of landscape heterogeneity on farmland SOC, we suggest that decision makers should consider the spatial scale in landscape allocation and planning. This study provides a scientific reference for realizing the balance between grain production and ecological function in intensive agricultural areas.

Changes in rill detachment capacity after deforestation and soil conservation practices in forestlands of Northern Iran

Rill erosion is particularly intense after deforestation on hillslopes with steep and long profiles. Since the rill detachment capacity (“Dc”) shows a noticeable variability resulting from different soil properties and vegetation characteristics, there is a need to explore the changes in key soil properties and rill erosion rates under different natural or planted species and a variety of soil conservation practices after deforestation. This study evaluates the changes in four key soil properties (organic carbon content, bulk density and water-stable aggregates of soil, and weight density of plant roots) and rill detachment capacity in forest sites with natural tree species as well as in areas subjected to reforestation and soil conservation treatments in comparison to deforested sites. To this aim, 2000 soil samples have been collected in forestlands of Northern Iran. Sampling was done in deforested areas (assumed as reference condition), and in forest sites 14 plant species (natural or after reforestation). Deforested samples were subjected to five soil conservation treatments (using additives or hydromulching). On all soil samples, Dc has been measured in a laboratory flume at five water flow rates (0.27 to 0.69 L/m s−1) and five soil slopes (5.9 to 31.7 %). All soil properties, when compared to the reference condition, were significantly different (between −50 % to 124 %) among the three soil conditions (natural forests, reforested soils and deforested and treated sites), the natural forests and the treated sites showing a better quality compared to planted forests. Dc was noticeably lower in all conditions (0.022 ± 0.021 kg m−2 s−1) compared to the deforested and untreated sites (0.046 ± 0.023 kg m−2 s−1). Natural and planted forests showed a similar decrease in rill erodibility (−70 to 80 %), while a much lower reduction in Dc (−36 %) was measured for the treated areas. Overall, the study demonstrates that the changes in soil properties due to plant species and soil management as well as the associated variability in rill detachment are noticeably site-specific, and greatly depend on soil conservation treatments. The results of this study may give landscape planners clear indications about the relationships between rill detachment and the associated soil properties among treated and untreated (natural or reforested) soils.

Advanced Method for Determining Land Plot’s Physical Surface

This study examines the issue of the accuracy of physical surface calculations for land plots with complex configurations and reliefs. The goal of the study was to develop a methodology for determining the surface area of land plots with complex configurations and reliefs. The presented model was based on the finite element method. The developed method allows one to evaluate a relief’s complexity by using a dimensionless mean physical surface complexity factor; a Fortran program was developed for the methodology. Experiments that proved the effectiveness of the methodology and a comparative analysis of those areas that were calculated by the presented method and TIN model were carried out. The research findings proved the practicability of the methodology for calculating the physical surfaces of land plots with complex configurations. The presented methodology can be used for flood modeling, landscape and vertical planning, etc.

Considerações sobre a paisagem sociocultural e ambiental do Rio Jaú

Despite fundamental roles of rivers in the history and evolution of urban centers, city design has often disregarded water networks in the midst of accelerated urban expansion. The lack of connection between rivers and the urban landscape has over time contributed to the exacerbation of socio-environmental problems. This research aims at understanding the relationship between the Jaú River and Jaú’s cityscape through the following perspectives proposed by Jean-Marc Besse (2014): historical, sociocultural and socio-environmental landscapes. The river landscape of Jaú is characterized based on information taken from scientific and documentary sources (textual, iconographic and cartographic). The results of analysis are then presented to systematically characterize challenges to landscape planning in this case study. This research pertains to the contemporary effort aiming at understanding landscapes by analyzing historical and current perspectives allowing us to restore connections between a city and its natural environment. In conclusion, it is argued that the neglect of the Jaú River valley throughout urban expansion contributed to the disconnection between the river landscape, the city and its inhabitants’ daily lives. As an alternative, we propose a landscape planning process that integrates the river’s environmental and social dimensions.

Measuring Change in Urban Land Consumption: A Global Analysis

An issue of concern in landscape and urban planning, articulated in the United Nation’s (UN’s) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the increase in urban land consumption over time. Indicator 11.3.1 of the SDGs is dedicated to measuring it, underlining the importance of decreasing urban land consumption per person, a strategy that is understood to contribute positively to climate mitigation and to a host of other social, economic, and environmental objectives. This article aims to explore the practical implications of the official methods for measuring Indicator 11.3.1, as well as two alternatives, and to calculate and compare the global and regional trends of these indicators for the 2000–2020 period for a universe of 3470 cities and metropolitan areas that had 100,000 people or more in the year 2020. Built-up area and population data for this universe were obtained from the Global Human Settlements Layer (GHS-BUILT-S and GHS-POP) published by the European Commission. We applied methods adapted from New York University’s Atlas of Urban Expansion to map the urban extents of all cities in 2000 and 2020, and then we used these urban extents, the built-up areas, and population estimates within them to calculate values for Indicator 11.3.1 and for two alternative indicators for the 2000–2020 period. We found that the current definition of Indicator 11.3.1 of the SDGs—“Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate”—has significant limitations in conveying meaningful information and interpretability for practical applications. We suggest two alternative indicators that address these shortcomings: the rate of change of land consumption per person and the rate of density change. Our analysis found that, for the world at large, urban densities declined at an annual rate of 0.5–0.7% between 2000 and 2020, with significant variation in the direction and magnitude of density trends by world region. Additionally, we found density declines to be faster in smaller cities than in larger ones and faster in cities with slower population growth or population declines compared to those with more rapid population growth.

Small watersheds are the best control and management unit for improving soil conservation services in karst areas

Climate factors and changes in landscape patterns are often recognized as the primary drivers of soil conservation services. The influence mechanism of climate factors and landscape patterns on soil conservation service is scale-dependent and spatial heterogeneous. However, it is not clear whether small watershed scale is more conducive to soil erosion control than large scale such as county scale and township scale. For the purpose of creating land use development plans that take local conditions into account, it is crucial to clarify the effects of climate and landscape pattern factors on soil conservation change. Wujiang River basin (WRB), a typical karst basin located in the catchment of the largest first-level tributary on the upper Yangtze River in China, was used as the study area in this research. Soil conservation services provided by water erosion control (SPC) in WRB from 2005 to 2020 were evaluated using the RUSLE model based on the modified rock exposure rate. By using stepwise regression model and multi-scale geographically weighted regression model (MGWR), the spatial heterogeneity of the influence of different driving factors on soil conservation service was comprehensively studied at the scale of district, township and small watershed. The results show that the SPC fluctuates obviously, but the trend is not significant. Climate factor is the dominant factor affecting SPC. With the change of scale from large to small, the adjusted R2 of the regression model gradually increases, especially the factors related to landscape pattern, and more driving factors can be revealed more comprehensively and effectively. Therefore, the small watershed scale is the best control unit to improve the SPC when formulating the regional management landscape plan. The findings of this research also have benchmark significance for other ecological fragile areas, and can provide more comprehensive suggestions for local ecosystem management and landscape planning.

Identifying temperature refuges in Utah using temperature, biota, and habitat data

AbstractUnderstanding where on landscapes to make investments, such as designating protected areas, is a critical component of biodiversity management. Locations for management actions should achieve current management objectives while also having the best chance of continued success in the future. Climate change has the potential to undermine biodiversity management, as it may lead to substantial changes in environmental conditions that are outside local managers' control. Following changes in environmental conditions, areas on the landscape may become unsuitable for the species or habitats that the initial actions were intended to benefit. The potential for local actions to be undermined by global‐scale threats makes it essential to account for and minimize exposure to temperature change. We present a series of analyses identifying priority areas for wildlife and habitat management. We conducted our analyses using a systematic landscape planning approach that identifies areas within species' ranges or current distributions of key habitats that are predicted to be less affected by future temperature change. We used the ranges of 142 animal and 149 plant species identified as species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) together with the distributions of 14 terrestrial and 19 aquatic key habitats in Utah, USA. We measured temperature change in 2 ways: as changes in mean annual temperature between 2020 and the year 2100 (temperature difference) and by quantifying how far a species range or habitat would have to shift to maintain its current temperature envelope (climate velocity). We identified the sub‐watersheds with hydrologic unit code 12 (HUC 12) that collectively encompassed the ranges of our SGCNs and key habitats while minimizing overall exposure to temperature change. These high priority HUC 12s represented areas that were not only hotspots for SGCNs and key habitats but also acted as temperature refugia, where management actions are likely to be robust to temperature change. We hope that our identification of high‐priority HUC 12s will help inform and guide future management actions to improve their long‐term outcomes.

Spatiotemporal landscape pattern changes and their effects on land surface temperature in greenbelt with semi-arid climate: A case study of the Erbil City, Iraq

Urban expansion of cities has caused changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in addition to transformations in the spatial characteristics of landscape structure. These alterations have generated heat islands and rise of land surface temperature (LST), which consequently have caused a variety of environmental issues and threated the sustainable development of urban areas. Greenbelts are employed as an urban planning containment policy to regulate urban expansion, safeguard natural open spaces, and serve adaptation and mitigation functions. And they are regarded as a powerful measure for enhancing urban environmental sustainability. Despite the fact that, the relation between landscape structure change and variation of LST has been examined thoroughly in many studies, but there is a limitation concerning this relation in semi-arid climate and in greenbelts as well, with the lacking of comprehensive research combing both aspects. Accordingly, this study investigated the spatiotemporal changes of landscape pattern of LULC and their relationship with variation of LST within an inner greenbelt in the semi-arid Erbil City of northern Iraq. The study utilized remote sensing data to retrieve LST, classified LULC, and calculated landscape metrics for analyzing spatial changes during the study period. The results indicated that both composition and configuration of LULC had an impact on the variation of LST in the study area. The Pearson’s correlation showed the significant effect of Vegetation 1 type (VH), cultivated land (CU), and bare soil (BS) on LST, as increase of LST was related to the decrease of VH and the increases of CU and BS, while, neither Vegetation 2 type (VL) nor built-up (BU) had any effects. Additionally, the spatial distribution of LULC also exhibited significant effects on LST, as LST was strongly correlated with landscape indices for VH, CU, and BS. However, for BU, only aggregation index metric affected LST, while none of VL metrics had a relation. The study provides insights for landscape planners and policymakers to not only develop more green spaces in greenbelt but also optimize the spatial landscape patterns to reduce the influence of LST on the urban environment, and further promote sustainable development and enhance well-being in the cities with semi-arid climate.