Land Use Transition Research Articles

ОЦЕНКА ГИДРОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО ОТКЛИКА НА ИЗМЕНЕНИЯ ЗЕМЛЕПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ В БАССЕЙНЕ Р. ВАДИ-ХАУРАН (АЛЖИР)

Rainfall-runoff modeling plays a crucial role in determining the regular water balance. Modifications in land use and land (vegetation) cover (LULC) significantly impact on the hydrological response of watersheds. The study aims to analyze the effect of land use change on river runoff with the use of hydrological modeling in the Wadi Ouahrane watershed in northwestern Algeria. The study was conducted for the period from 1987 to 2017. According to the LULC change study, cultivated land and built-up areas have increased, whereas forest and grassland areas have decreased. Sensitivity evaluation has shown that the CN (curve number) is the most important factor affecting the watershed hydrology. The Nash Sutcliffe (NSE) and R2 efficiency values for the Wadi Ouahrane watershed were 0.76-0.82 and 0.86-0.91 for the calibration period and 0.72-0.74 and 0.81-0.83 for the validation one, respectively. The assessment of the HEC-HMS response to the LULC change showed that the peak discharge for 2017 increased by 68% relative to the 1987 peak discharge. This research has improved the knowledge of the relationship between land use change and hydrological regimes in the Wadi Ouahrane watershed.

Characterizing land use transition in China by accounting for the conflicts underlying land use structure and function

Human activities and global changes have undergone significant transformations in land systems. It is imperative to comprehend the intricacies of land use transitions (LUT), as they serve as indicators of the evolving dynamics within the complex human-environmental relationship. In this study, we adopt the conflict-coordination theoretical framework to delve into the role of land-use conflicts (LUC) in driving LUT. Our investigation involves the quantification of LUT and the assessment of LUC within China, spanning from 1980 to 2020. Subsequently, we scrutinized the interplay between LUT and LUC using Spearman correlation analysis and the Wilcoxon test. Our findings reveal that greater diversity in land-use structure can be attributed to ecological land fragmentation and the restoration of unused land, while the expansion of urban and cropland areas contributes to a less diverse land-use pattern. Furthermore, there is a discernible upward trend in land use function. Although the overall degree of LUC in China is relatively mild, there is a noticeable upward trajectory over the past four decades. More pronounced conflicts within land-use patterns promote a diversified land-use pattern, while conflicts arising from competing land-use functions elevate the level of land-use functionality. Moreover, a dynamic interplay between land-use transitions and conflicts becomes evident, with intense conflicts within land-use patterns weakening land-use functionality, and imbalances in functionality driving greater diversity in land-use patterns. Our research introduces an innovative analytical framework that elucidates LUT through the lens of LUC, with the potential for broader applicability across different regions. This framework not only enhances our understanding of LUT but also provides valuable scientific guidance for the effective management of conflicts to promote the sustainable development of land resources.

Comparative study of organic farming systems in different geographical regions

Among the prerequisites for agricultural production efficiency, improved farming systems that include a cost-effective organic approach to all stages of the production process play an important role. The need for a gradual transition of agricultural land use to biological methods of soil cultivation is relevant given the high level of agricultural landscape destruction and the growing demand for organic products. The purpose of the article was to provide a comparative analysis of the current state of development of organic production systems in different geographical regions of Ukraine. The study was conducted using general scientific methods of cognition, the main ones being the method of system analysis and the dialectical method. In the course of the study, the situation in the field of organic farming in the regional context, reserves, and prospects of opportunities in this area were investigated. An analysis of changes in the characteristics of the area and the number of certified organic farming entities in the time period is formed. The expediency of developing organic agronomy in modern economic conditions, as well as the possibility of ensuring the environmental safety of sustainable land use by increasing the share of organic tillage in the overall farming system, is substantiated. The priority vectors of development are highlighted, the regulatory and legal support of the industry is analysed. The specifics of the process of managing enterprises with the use of modern monitoring and investment opportunities are studied, on the basis of which the main measures to optimize the situation are developed, including economic incentives for farmers, the formation of a land bank for organic farming, control of anthropogenic pressure on the environment, compliance with safety requirements and adaptation of quality standards, as well as the preservation of local ecosystems. The practical significance of the research results is manifested in the possibility of using them in the development of sectoral programmes aimed at optimizing the functioning of organic farming systems, increasing their economic efficiency, and forming the concept of transition from conventional to organic farming in Ukraine

Comparative Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Forces of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Arid and Semiarid Areas of Northern China

Arid and semiarid wetlands, the core geographical unit of desert oases, significantly benefit and improve the ecological environment. In this study, we systematically compared the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving forces of natural and constructed wetlands in arid and semiarid regions of northern China from 1995 to 2019. For these comparisons, we utilized a land-use transition matrix, partial least-squares–structural equation model (PLS-SEM), and geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. The results showed that (1) the area of wetlands as a whole showed an upward trend, with natural and constructed wetlands increasing by 4.16% and 11.86%, respectively. The increases mainly resulted from conversions of grassland and other lands (shrub, sparse vegetation, and bare land). (2) The direct dominant factors that drove natural wetland changes were soil and terrain, while those that drove constructed wetlands were human disturbances. Human disturbance, by affecting soil, had a higher significant indirect effect on natural wetlands. Heat, by affecting moisture, had the greatest indirect effect on constructed wetlands. (3) The sensitivity of natural and constructed wetlands to the responses of different drivers showed significant spatial heterogeneity. This study explores the interaction and driving mechanisms of human and natural attributes on natural and constructed wetlands and provides a scientific foundation for the restoration and sustainable development of wetlands in arid and semiarid areas.

Trade-induced land-use transitions and greenhouse gas emissions: The case of the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement

Currently, land use change (LUC) accounts for approximately 18.8% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally, and up to 66% and 70% in Brazil and Paraguay respectively. However, owing to measurement difficulties, examining the effects of changing trade patterns is often overlooked in studies. This study aims to investigate the induced effects of LUC and their consequences concerning GHG emissions for the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. A multi-regional computable general equilibrium (CGE) model with an explicit land module is used to simulate the effects of the free trade agreement. GHG emissions are calculated for LUC, fossil energy CO2, and non-CO2 emissions to capture a wide range of sources and reveal their relative contributions. The study finds that as a more extensive liberalization scheme is implemented, the majority of global GHG emissions change are driven by LUC, consisting up to 89.9% of the total increase. These findings align with previous studies. Nonetheless, we argue that for Latin America, where LUC and deforestation are historical problems, careful consideration of LUC and agriculture GHG sources is necessary to address the potential environmental impacts of trade agreements.

Strawberry Fields Forever? Some Observations About Restrictive Covenants and Zoning

Restrictive covenants and statutory land use controls are both capable of promoting private or public interests, but there is tension surrounding their use. This article explores the relationship between the two devices and discusses the courts’ evolving approach to resolving conflicts between restrictive covenants and restrictive land use controls that apply to the same property. Controversy arises with these devices when they are used to restrict land use for undesirable exclusionary practices, such as limiting access to property ownership based on socioeconomic status or race, or when covenants conflict with municipal planning schemes. The author examines specific restrictive covenants and statutory land use controls used in Albertan cities to discuss a potential change in attitude toward large-scale restrictive covenants that impede municipal policies.

Insect pest predation by arthropods and birds in different land use types with varying woody vegetation composition in agroecosystems of central Oromia, Ethiopia

Biological control by predators of insect pests is an important benefit of biodiversity, having a contribution to agricultural production. By preying on crop infesting insect pests, predatory arthropods and birds can provide an important ecosystem service. They support agricultural productivity, boosting crop yield and reducing demand for pesticides expense. Habitat quality of land use types, i.e., explained by vegetation cover, can impact the provision of ecosystem services thereby influencing the prevalence of the predators and their predation rates. In order to better understand the level of insect pest control service by predators, we conducted a field experiment to investigate levels of predation, using an attack on artificial caterpillars in response to land use types varied in vegetation cover. We found the attack rate by arthropods was more consistent across land use types than by birds, and the attack by birds was higher in modified land use types with sparse woody vegetation. Moreover, the attack rate for birds showed a decreasing tendency with increasing woody species richness, cover and stem density, while it showed less variation for arthropods. We conclude that biological control by birds is more effective in habitats with simplified vegetation cover than for arthropods in agricultural landscapes. Therefore, we recommend the prevalence of shade trees and small forest patches in agricultural landscapes for supporting the increased levels of insect pest control services provided by predatory birds and arthropods.

Understanding the role of land use for urban stormwater management in coastal waterways

A holistic understanding of the quality and quantity of stormwater in the context of catchment land use plays a crucial role in stormwater management. This study investigated the quality and quantity of stormwater from forested, residential, industrial, and mixed land use areas. Water samples were collected from seven sites over two years at different stages of the runoff hydrograph using fixed sampling stations. Analysis of physicochemical and hydrological variables showed different patterns across the four land use types at various flow conditions highlighting the complex nature of stormwater quality influenced by catchment and rainfall characteristics. Mean concentrations of dissolved organic and oxidised nitrogen (DON and NOx-N) and dissolved organic and filterable reactive phosphorus (DOP and FRP) in stormwater from industrial, mixed-use and residential catchment types were statistically different from stormwater originating from a forested catchment. On average, residential, mixed-use and industrial catchments transported over 50 times more NOx-N to the receiving waters compared to forested catchments. Under high flow conditions, total phosphorus, FRP and total suspended solids (TSS) were mobilised, indicating that phosphorous export is directly related to sediment export regardless of the land use. The study outcomes contribute to the formulation of more effective stormwater management strategies to deal with the drivers of nutrients and TSS inputs resulting from modified land use types to minimise the urbanisation impacts on aquatic biota. In particular, the elevated dissolved nitrogen fractions from all the catchment types other than the forested catchment is a concern for receiving waters, as these can potentially impair water quality and impact the ecosystem health of downstream water bodies such as Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes or Lagoons (ICOLL). The stochastic nature of hydrology and corresponding nutrient loads should be prioritised in stormwater management action plans. However, as space limitations hinder the expansion of vegetation cover and retrofitting stormwater management devices, a paradigm shift in stormwater management is required to achieve the desired outcomes. The study outcomes further indicate that a one-size-fits-all approach to stormwater management may not deliver the desired outcomes, and a suite of tailor-made approaches targeting various flow conditions and catchment surface types is needed.

Study into the Evolution of Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Production–Living–Ecological Spaces on the Indochina Peninsula

Influenced by historical background, regional economic development, and the frequent occurrence of armed conflict, the human–earth relationship in the Central and Southern Peninsula, which is located in a “fragmented zone”, is characteristic of the region. The Indochina Peninsula has now become an area of interest for the study of spatial changes in production–living–ecological spaces (PLES). Taking the Indochina Peninsula as the study area, this paper explores the evolution of the spatiotemporal patterns of PLES and its driving mechanism in the Indochina Peninsula, from 2010 to 2020, based on a grid scale. Methods such as the land-use transition matrix, land-use dynamics index, and geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) were used in our model, which will provide the basic data and reference for sustainable development planning across the Indochina Peninsula. Our results show that, from 2010 to 2020, ecological space dominated the PLES pattern on the Indochina Peninsula, but its area gradually decreased, accompanied by a sharp increase in the areas of productive and living spaces. The area of PLES interconversion on the Indochina Peninsula in 2010–2020 was 212,818.70 km2, and the intertransfer of production and ecological spaces was distributed in a networklike manner throughout the Indochina Peninsula, while the transfer of living space was distributed in a pointlike manner. The migration path of the center of gravity of PLES on the Indochina Peninsula demonstrated a significant directional difference, and the direction and extent of the standard deviation ellipse distribution of the ecological space was similar to that of the production space. The PLES’s pattern evolution was affected by the degree of multiple factors, with a significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity. The positive and negative feedback effects of the factors were distributed in different areas and in different transfer directions.

Understanding Recessive Transition of Cultivated Land Use in Jilin Province, China (1990–2020): From Perspective of Productive-Living-Ecological Functions

Jilin Province is an important commercial grain production base in northeast China, and it has seen significant transition in cultivated land use in recent years. This study constructed a measurement system for the recessive transition of cultivated land use in Jilin Province based on the perspective of “three-function synergy” (productive, living, and ecological functions). It discussed the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the recessive transition of cultivated land use from 1990 to 2020, identified the turning point of the cultivated land transition trend, and built a model of recessive transition of cultivated land in Jilin Province. After analyzing the results, we came to the following conclusions: (1) The turning point of the “three-function synergy” of the recessive morphology of cultivated land in Jilin Province occurred earlier than the mutation point of the recessive transition of cultivated land, and there was a certain temporality in the recessive transition of cultivated land compared with the functional change of cultivated land; (2) the degree of recessive transition of cultivated land in Jilin Province showed a spatial distribution characteristic of being higher in the west and lower in the east; (3) the recessive transition of cultivated land use in Jilin Province could be divided into transition stages characterized by “low stage slow rise period”, “middle stage significant increase period”, and “high stage steady growth period”; (4) Jilin Province should adopt differentiated and diversified management of cultivated land to achieve a comprehensive management model that emphasizes quantity, quality, and ecology.

Ecological Restoration in the Loess Plateau, China Necessitates Targeted Management Strategy: Evidence from the Beiluo River Basin

Vegetation on the Loess Plateau, China, has continuously improved thanks to certain ecological restoration (ER) strategies, including the integrated soil conservation project that began in the late 1970s and the “Grain for Green” project that began in the 1990s. The experience of these strategies in different geomorphological regions is of great value to ER worldwide. In this study, the evolution of the land-use transition (LUT) pathway and ecosystem service value (ESV) in four geomorphological regions of the Beiluo River Basin was analyzed using geo-informatic Tupu and the equivalent factor method with data from 1975 to 2015. The results indicated that, from 1975 to 2015, the proportion of forestland in the Beiluo River basin increased by 18.27%, while the areas of shrub, grassland, cultivated land, and water decreased by 1.03%, 0.16%, 18.23%, and 0.26%, respectively. In the past 40 years, the overall ESV of the basin increased by USD 3.209 billion (54.16%). The landform, vegetation cover, LUT, and ESV analysis indicated that the main ecological functions of the loess hilly and gully (LHG), loess plateau gully (LPG), rocky mountain (RM), and terrace and plain (TP) regions are soil and water conservation (SWC), SWC and food production, regulation and food production, respectively. ER projects enhanced the main ecological function of individual regions. In detail, the transition of “cultivated land → grassland” enhanced SWC function in the LHG region, and the transition of “grassland (shrub) → forestland” enhanced the regulating services of the RM and LPG regions. Moreover, the transition of “cultivated land to grassland” did not seriously lower the food production services of the TP and LPG regions, owing to the increase in grain yield per unit area. However, there were alternating transitions between cultivated land and ecological land types, implying a game between the peasant households’ demands and the ER strategies. Conflicting demands between local households and the public necessitate precision ER strategies, including land planning, ecological compensation, training and employment for local residents, etc.

Contribution of peri-urban land use and agriculture to entropy and food of mega-cities: On sustainability, planning by control theory and recycling of organics.

In this article we propose an ecological economics orientation of peri-urban development, looking at land use planning, local food and entropy. Based on a mathematical model, we present an operational concept of minimizing negative externalities within a given population. The model applies control theory. The concept is introduced to facilitate closing cycles, conduct spatial planning and reduce costs to achieve the ecological target of improved entropy. To this end, we look at more soundly defined metropolitan areas. An emphasis is placed on optimally assuring space for urban agriculture and on enabling recycling in ever-growing cities. Our concept is grounded in the use of peri-urban agriculture and regional food provision as an integrated system, which is based on the recycling of organic matter. Firstly, we reference current unhealthy developFfigments and show how cycles were removed as growth occurred. Secondly, as market-oriented city expansions showed limited scope for peri-urban farming, we suggest entering into regional planning. Planning shall ensure a better use of space and can be based on organic matter recycling (composting, slurry, etc.). The article provides a theoretical background for the occurrence of modified land use (systems). These systems shall alleviate some external burdens of large and growing cities. The approach looks at ecological, economic and social aspects in parallel, to outline principles for more sustainable land use, including peri-urban land. Methodologically we offer land use modelling, looking at interactions of industry, residence, and farming. The functions of a city are integrated into a methodical approach of distance from centre to periphery.

Water poverty in Western Nepal: assessment of Alital Rural Municipality in Rangun watershed

Abstract Water poverty is an emerging issue in Nepal. Several factors, including population growth, climate change, land-use transitions, and poorly planned road construction, significantly impact water quality and quantity. Water poverty in Alital Rural Municipality, Dadeldhura, in Rangun Watershed is examined in this study. Elements of the water poverty index (WPI) were used – (i) access, (ii) resource, (iii) use, (iv) capacity, and (v) environment. The WPI was determined as 57, indicating a medium-low level of water poverty. The WPI for the various wards, the smallest administrative units, ranged from 54 to 64. The environment component yielded the highest score, the use component the lowest. Water use for household and agricultural purposes was negligible compared to other uses. Effective water management plans are essential for increasing household water use and consumption in the watershed. The WPI can be used as an integrated tool for water resource management at various scales, from local to national, by linking all environmental factors to identify and prioritize the areas that require immediate management interventions for integrated, multi-disciplinary, and sustainable water resource management.

Impacts of land use transitions on ecosystem services: A research framework coupled with structure, function, and dynamics

Rapid urbanization in China has resulted in drastic land use transitions (LUT) and has had a severe impact on the supply of regional ecosystem services (ESs). To improve ecosystem security and promote sustainable development regionally, it is essential to clarify spatial correlations between the multi-dimensional characteristics of LUT and ESs. We developed a theoretical framework to examine how LUT influenced regional ESs in three dimensions: land use structure, function, and dynamics. Using the Taihu Lake Rim urban agglomeration (TLRUA) as an example, we explored the process by which LUT affected the change in regional ESs. The results indicated that the TLRUA experienced accelerated urbanization between 2000 and 2018, with LUT and ESs exhibiting distinct characteristics in urban, suburban, and rural areas in different regions. The impact of LUT on ESs, as we analyzed them from different dimensions, embraced interactive effects and significant spatial spillover effects. The land use structural transitions were globally positively correlated with habitat maintenance, carbon sequestration, and recreation potential, whereas land use intensity and dynamics transitions exhibited negative correlations. Given their interactions at the local scale, we propose corresponding land management strategies, which can offer practical guidance for coordinating regional land resource development and ecosystem conservation.

Soil nitrous oxide and methane fluxes from a land-use change transition of primary forest to oil palm in an Indonesian peatland

Despite the documented increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Southeast Asian peat swamp forest degradation and conversion to oil palm over recent decades, reliable estimates of emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) are lacking. We measured soil fluxes of N2O and CH4 and their environmental controls along a peatland transition from primary forest (PF) to degraded drained forest (DF) to oil palm plantation (OP) over 18 months in Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia. Sampling was conducted monthly at all sites and more intensively following two fertilization events in the OP. Mean annual emissions of N2O (kg N ha−1 yr−1) were 1.7 ± 0.2 for the PF, 2.3 ± 0.2 for the DF and for the OP 8.1 ± 0.8 without drainage canals (DC) and 7.7 ± 0.7 including DC. High N2O emissions in the OP were driven by peat decomposition, not by N fertilizer addition. Mean CH4 annual fluxes (kg C ha−1 yr−1) were 8.2 ± 1.9 for the PF, 1.9 ± 0.4 for the DF, and 1.6 ± 0.3 for the OP with DC and 1.1 ± 0.2 without. Considering their 20-year global warming potentials (GWP), the combined non-CO2 GHG emission (Mg CO2-equivalent ha−1 yr−1) was 3.3 ± 0.6 for the PF and 1.6 ± 0.2 for the DF. The emission in the OP (3.8 ± 0.3 with or without DC) was similar to the PF because reductions in CH4 emissions offset N2O increases. However, considering 100-year GWP, the combined non-CO2 GHG emission was larger in the OP (3.4 ± 0.3 with DC and 3.5 ± 0.3 without) compared to both the PF and the DF (1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.2 ± 0.1, respectively). The increase in peat N2O emissions associated with the land-use change transition from primary forest to oil palm plantation at our sites provides further evidence of the urgent need to protect tropical peat swamp forests from drainage and conversion.

Mountainous Areas: Alleviating the Shortage of Cultivated Land Caused by Changing Dietary Structure in China

Achieving food security and improving nutrition is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With rapid socioeconomic development, the dietary structure of the Chinese population has changed significantly, leading to increased demand for cultivated land. At the same time, rapid urbanization has continuously reduced the amount of cultivated land in China, and there is an urgent necessity for the nation to alleviate the shortage of cultivated land to meet the population’s evolving dietary consumption needs. A review of the literature indicates that the use of mountainous areas to produce agricultural products for the population can effectively reduce the use of cultivated land on the plains and mitigate the shortage of cultivated land to meet dietary consumption needs. According to the different natural and socioeconomic conditions of mountainous areas, this study concludes that the adoption of mountain hillside, mountain understory, and mountainous limited cultivated land use patterns to develop agricultural production in mountainous areas is an effective approach to address the shortage of cultivated land caused by changes in the Chinese dietary structure.

Linking forest management to surrounding lands: a citizen-based approach towards the regional understanding of land-use transitions

The Southeastern United States has high landscape heterogeneity, with heavily managed forestlands, developed agriculture, and multiple metropolitan areas. The spatial pattern of land use is dynamic. Expansion of urban areas convert forested and agricultural land, scrub forests are converted to citrus groves, and some croplands transition to pine plantations. Previous studies have recognized that forest management is the predominant factor in structural and functional changes forests, but little is known about how forest management practices interact with surrounding land uses at the regional scale. The first step in studying the spatial relationships of forest management with surrounding landscapes is to be able to map management practices and describe their proximity to various land uses. There are two major difficulties in generating land use and land management maps at the regional scale by any method: the necessity of large training data sets and expensive computation. The combination of crowdsourced, citizen-science mapping and cloud-based computing may help overcome those difficulties. In this study, OpenStreetMap is incorporated into mapping land use and shows great potential for justifying and monitoring land use at a regional scale. Google Earth Engine enables large-scale spatial analysis and imagery processing by providing a variety of Earth observation datasets and computational resources. By incorporating the OpenStreetMap dataset into Earth observation images to map forest land management practices and determine the distribution of other nearby land uses, we develop a robust regional land-use mapping approach and describe the patterns of how different land uses may affect forest management and vice versa. We find that cropland is more likely to be near ecological forest management patches; few close spatial relationships exist between land uses and preservation forest management, which fulfills the preservation management strategy of sustaining the forests, and production forests have the strongest spatial relationships with croplands. This approach leads to increased understanding of land-use patterns and management practices at local to regional scales.

Implementasi INVOPER (Inovasi Pertanian) dengan Sistem Aquaponik sebagai Teknologi Tepat Guna dalam Budidaya Lele

Technological developments, especially in agriculture, must develop because of the increase in population and climate change requires us to look for innovative sustainable solutions in agriculture because agriculture is a very basic field in human life. Therefore, our group which is a group of students who carry out service in Penjaringansari village made an agricultural innovation with an appropriate technology aquaponics system in catfish cultivation as one of its work programs.This service is carried out by the method of active participation approach of partner groups that is tailored to the needs of the community by our group. The initial stage carried out is catfish cultivation then combines with a hydroponic system in plants to form an aquaponics system. The treatment process is carried out by checking thoroughly regularly.This service program is expected to provide benefits for the people of Penjaringansari Village and can be implemented properly after the completion of KKN. This program aims to improve food security and community independence through limited land use in the yard.

The integration of nature conservation in land-use management practices in rural municipalities: A case study of four rural municipalities in Norway

This paper investigates how land-use management practices incorporate nature conservation concerns in four Norwegian rural municipalities. It focuses on nature conservation, which is vital both to maintain nature’s ability to store carbon and to preserve ecosystems, as key aspects of the environmental dimension of sustainable development. The paper analyses the perceptions of local, regional and state stakeholders relating to four rural municipalities following diverging land-use trajectories. We find land policy in all four cases to be highly entangled with strategies to achieve growth in terms of income, job creation and population. When nature conservation was not in line with wider economic or social considerations, it was less integrated into land-policy practices. In three of the municipalities, the construction of residential units, holiday-homes or renewable energy parks was prioritized over the preservation of nature areas or cultural landscapes. One case presented a contrasting trajectory, as it involved a clear alignment between nature conservation and economic growth. Here, conservation was considered a key strategy to both sustain the traditional fishery industry and to accommodate the growing tourism. However, while this municipality’s restrictive land use was based on a nature conservation understanding, it was also connected to the greenhouse-gas emissions, resource exhaustion and waste generation traditionally associated with international tourism. The study concludes by highlighting the importance of rural municipalities being equipped with sufficient resources if they are to prioritize environmental concerns over the economic and social dimensions of sustainability in their land-use management practices.

Vegetation Stands Biomass and Carbon Stock Estimation using NDVI - Landsat 8 Imagery in Mixed Garden of Rancakalong, Sumedang, Indonesia

Human activities in modifying land use and land cover increasingly put pressure to many regulatory ecosystem services, one of which is carbon sequestration. If forests, the area with the most vegetation cover are decrease, the amount of carbon sequestered will decrease significantly. Currently, agroforestry systems or Talun (in West Java) in Sumedang was eleven times larger than secondary forest. Carbon stocks in this agricultural area need to be estimated so that their carbon sequestration capacity can be known in order to improve the quality of regulatory ecosystem services. NDVI value of the Landsat 8 OLI was obtained by conducting raster calculation in ArcMap. Field inventory was conducted by measuring stem DBH and height of all vegetation stands in 31 plots measuring 30 x 30 m, a similar plot size to the resolution of the Landsat imagery. Biomass of vegetation stands was calculated using allometric equations and then converted into the carbon content of the biomass. In order to analyze the correlation of NDVI and carbon inventory data, a Pearson product-moment correlation analysis in the form of simple linear regression, non-linear exponential, and polynomial order 2 and order 3 model were carried out. Standard error of estimate (SEE) was performed to identify the best equation to model the aboveground carbon stocks in the area. The results show that the four regression models give a positive correlation between NDVI and carbon stocks. The strongest category was the polynomial order 2 and order 3 regression model with 0.795 coefficient of determination. Yet, the linear simple regression model obtained the highest accuracy with estimated error 0.445 tons/pixel. The estimated carbon stock obtained by linear regression model was 16150.40 tons with an average of 104.95 tons/ha. Visually, according to carbon distribution map, the carbon content of vegetation stands in the mixed garden of Rancakalong was mainly distributed in the north of Rancakalong District which is located in Cibungur Village.