scholarly journals GIS analysis of change in an agriculture landscape in Central Finland

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 567-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riitta Ruuska ◽  
Juha Helenius
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Average Proportion ◽  
Linear Landscape Elements ◽  
Land Survey ◽  
Ecosystem Level ◽  
Agricultural Use ◽  
Index Value

Changes in landscape over a period of 50 years were analysed in a rural area of 324 ha in Central Finland. The data were digitized from aerial photographs of the National Land Survey taken in 1944, 1959, 1979 and 1991, and analysed with the IDRISI™ geographic information system (GIS). The average proportion of land in agricultural use in the sample area was 17.4%. The arable area declined from the maximum of 62.3 ha (1959) to 47.6 ha. The total length of linear landscape elements, predominantly ditch bank habitats, halved, from 876 m/ha of field (1944) to 449 m/ha by the end of the period. The average rate of loss of field boundary habitat was 9.1 m/ha/ year. At the same time, the Shannon-Weaver index of diversity of agricultural landscape elements dropped from 0.37 to 0.24. The number of field parcels declined by 29%, and the mean parcel size increased by 45%, from 1.2 ha to 1.7 ha. The index value of the fractal dimension measuring the complexity of parcel shapes also fell, from 1.88 (1959) to 1.86 (1991). The change in spatial structure reflects the intensification of farming in Finland. Biodiversity at ecosystem level has clearly declined. However, the implications for the agroecosystem and its sustainability are still unknown.

scholarly journals The loss of woody linear landscape elements in agriculture landscape in Wielkopolska region (Poland) in 21th century

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Kujawa ◽  
Krzysztof Janku ◽  
Mostefa Mana ◽  
Adam Choryński
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Linear Landscape Elements ◽  
Linear Elements ◽  
Water Courses ◽  
Agriculture Management

With the loss of natural and semi-natural habitats, the diversity and the amount of ecosystem services that can be provided in the agricultural landscape are diminishing, and self-regulatory abilities decrease. The aim of the research (72 sample plots – 1 x 1 km squares, mean  time span equal to 8 years) was to recognise the changes in the number and length of woody (tree or shrub) linear landscape elements, and the number of solitary trees in the Wielkopolska region to verify how rapid development of agriculture in Poland in the 21st century affects the landscape structure. The analyses show a decline by 9.3% (from 2.17 to 1.97 km/km2) in length of woody linear elements, 7.4% (from 16.5 to 15.0 per km2) in number of woody linear elements, and 14.6% (from 28.8 to 24.4 per km2) in solitary trees. The loss was significantly faster in the period (2017-2018) of liberalisation of the regulations on tree and shrub removal, mainly due to a high rate of removal in plots located in an urbanized landscape. The decrease in length of woody linear elements occurred in all the categories of their location distinguished in the study (by 9-41% in a category). The highest loss occurred in the woody linear elements located along melioration ditches and water courses, along roads, and in the outskirt of towns. These changes are similar to those occurring in the 20th century in western Europe. The decrease in the number of woody linear landscape elements and solitary trees can be considered an indicator of the unsustainable agriculture management.

scholarly journals Hedgerows Have a Barrier Effect and Channel Pollinator Movement in the Agricultural Landscape

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Klaus ◽  
Julia Bass ◽  
Lisa Marholt ◽  
Birte Müller ◽  
Björn Klatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Pollen Dispersal ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Fluorescent Dye ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Linear Landscape Elements

Abstract Agricultural intensification and the subsequent fragmentation of semi-natural habitats severely restrict pollinator and pollen movement threatening both pollinator and plant species. Linear landscape elements such as hedgerows are planted for agricultural and conservation purposes to increase the resource availability and habitat connectivity supporting populations of beneficial organisms such as pollinators. However, hedgerows may have unexpected effects on plant and pollinator persistence by not just channeling pollinators and pollen along, but also restricting movement across the strip of habitat. Here, we tested how hedgerows influence pollinator movement and pollen flow. We used fluorescent dye particles as pollen analogues to track pollinator movement between potted cornflowers Centaurea cyanus along and across a hedgerow separating two meadows. The deposition of fluorescent dye was significantly higher along the hedgerow than across the hedgerow and into the meadow, despite comparable pollinator abundances. The differences in pollen transfer suggest that hedgerows can affect pollinator and pollen dispersal by channeling their movement and acting as a permeable barrier. We conclude that hedgerows in agricultural landscapes can increase the connectivity between otherwise isolated plant and pollinator populations (corridor function), but can have additional, and so far unknown barrier effects on pollination services. Functioning as a barrier, linear landscape elements can impede pollinator movement and dispersal, even for highly mobile species such as bees. These results should be considered in future management plans aiming to enhance the persistence of threatened pollinator and plant populations by restoring functional connectivity and to ensure sufficient crop pollination in the agricultural landscape.

scholarly journals Rapid retreat of permafrost coastline observed with aerial drone photogrammetry

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1513-1528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Cunliffe ◽  
George Tanski ◽  
Boris Radosavljevic ◽  
William F. Palmer ◽  
Torsten Sachs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Erosion ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Temporal Frequency ◽  
Shoreline Change ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Storm Events ◽  
Short Term

Abstract. Permafrost landscapes are changing around the Arctic in response to climate warming, with coastal erosion being one of the most prominent and hazardous features. Using drone platforms, satellite images, and historic aerial photographs, we observed the rapid retreat of a permafrost coastline on Qikiqtaruk – Herschel Island, Yukon Territory, in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. This coastline is adjacent to a gravel spit accommodating several culturally significant sites and is the logistical base for the Qikiqtaruk – Herschel Island Territorial Park operations. In this study we sought to (i) assess short-term coastal erosion dynamics over fine temporal resolution, (ii) evaluate short-term shoreline change in the context of long-term observations, and (iii) demonstrate the potential of low-cost lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) to inform coastline studies and management decisions. We resurveyed a 500 m permafrost coastal reach at high temporal frequency (seven surveys over 40 d in 2017). Intra-seasonal shoreline changes were related to meteorological and oceanographic variables to understand controls on intra-seasonal erosion patterns. To put our short-term observations into historical context, we combined our analysis of shoreline positions in 2016 and 2017 with historical observations from 1952, 1970, 2000, and 2011. In just the summer of 2017, we observed coastal retreat of 14.5 m, more than 6 times faster than the long-term average rate of 2.2±0.1 m a−1 (1952–2017). Coastline retreat rates exceeded 1.0±0.1 m d−1 over a single 4 d period. Over 40 d, we estimated removal of ca. 0.96 m3 m−1 d−1. These findings highlight the episodic nature of shoreline change and the important role of storm events, which are poorly understood along permafrost coastlines. We found drone surveys combined with image-based modelling yield fine spatial resolution and accurately geolocated observations that are highly suitable to observe intra-seasonal erosion dynamics in rapidly changing Arctic landscapes.

scholarly journals Aesthetic quality of agricultural landscape elements in different seasonal stages in Switzerland

2015 ◽  
Vol 133 ◽  
pp. 67-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenia Junge ◽  
Beatrice Schüpbach ◽  
Thomas Walter ◽  
Bernhard Schmid ◽  
Petra Lindemann-Matthies
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Aesthetic Quality ◽  
Landscape Elements

Pattern of greenhouse gas emission from a Prairie Pothole agricultural landscape in Manitoba, Canada

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
A S Dunmola ◽  
M. Tenuta ◽  
A P Moulin ◽  
P. Yapa ◽  
D A Lobb
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Prairie Pothole Region ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Prairie Pothole ◽  
Riparian Areas ◽  
Gas Emission ◽  
Landscape Elements

To obtain accurate N2O and CH4 emission estimates from the Prairie Pothole Region of North America, knowledge of landscape pattern and soil factors is important. A field study was conducted investigating the temporal and spatial variation in N2O and CH4 emissions from spring to fall 2005 and spring-thaw to post-fertilizer application period 2006 using static-vented chambers located at upper, middle and lower landscape elements planted to spring wheat in 2005 and flax in 2006 and riparian areas in an undulating terrain in southern Manitoba. N2O was emitted during spring-thaw and post-fertilizer application periods for cropped positions and CH4 was emitted about 7 wk after soil thaw for lower and riparian elements. While there was no statististical difference in N2O emission from upper, middle and lower landscape elements, there was greater occurrence of N2O emission hotspots at the lower element, associated with its comparatively higher soil moisture and carbon availability. A location of intense CH4 emission in a riparian area had considerably less soil sulfate compared with other riparian locations. We conclude that hotspots for N2O and CH4 emission within the landscape are localized and driven by high soil moisture and C availability, and riparian areas should be identified separately from cropped areas, as their N2O and CH4 emissions are lower and higher, respectively. Riparian areas having high sulfate concentrations do not seem to emit appreciable amounts of CH4.Key words: Greenhouse gas emission, landscape element, landscape variability, methane, nitrous oxide, Prairie Pothole Region, sulfate

scholarly journals Evaluating critiques of evidence of historically heterogeneous structure and mixed-severity fires across dry-forest landscapes of the western USA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William L. Baker ◽  
Chad T. Hanson ◽  
Mark A. Williams ◽  
Dominick A. DellaSala
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Heterogeneous Structure ◽  
Dry Forests ◽  
Western Usa ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Land Survey

The structure and role of fire in historical dry forests, ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and dry mixed-conifer forests, of the western USA, have been debated for 25 years, leaving two theories. The first, that these forests were relatively uniform, low in tree density and dominated by low- to moderate-severity fires was recently reviewed, including a critique of opposing evidence. The second, that these forests historically had heterogeneous structure and a mixture of fire severities, has had several published reviews. Here, as authors in part of the second theory, we critically examined evidence in the first theory’s new review, which presented 37 critiques of the second theory. We examined evidence for and against each critique, including evidence presented or omitted. We found that a large body of published evidence against the first theory and supporting the second theory, presented in 10 published rebuttals and 25 other published papers, by us and other scientists, was omitted and not reviewed. We reviewed omitted evidence here. Omitted evidence was extensive, and included direct observations by early scientists, maps in early forest atlases, early newspaper accounts and photographs, early aerial photographs, seven paleo-charcoal reconstructions, ≥18 tree-ring reconstructions, eight land-survey reconstructions, and an analysis of forest-inventory age data. This large body of omitted published research provides compelling evidence supporting the second theory, that historical dry forests were heterogeneous in structure and had a mixture of fire severities, including high-severity fire. The first theory is rejected by this large body of omitted evidence.

scholarly journals Building walls around open wells prevent Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) mortality in the Gir Lion Landscape, Gujarat, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 15301-15310
Author(s):  
Tithi Kagathara ◽  
Erach Bharucha
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Landscape ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
Asiatic Lion ◽  
Dug Wells ◽  
Peripheral Areas ◽  
Building Walls ◽  
Agricultural Areas

The Asiatic Lion population has increased in the last three decades, which now occupies a large regional spread with six or more identified satellite populations in eight districts of Gujarat.  An overlap of lion habitat with human-dominated landscape elements leads to an increase in lion-human interactions in these growing satellite populations.  A high rate of lion mortality has been observed in the periphery of Gir in the last decade due to falls into open dug wells.  These wells have been excavated for irrigation in the agricultural landscape of Gir.  About 145 wild animals including lions have died due to accidental falls into open wells in past 10 years.  It has been observed that construction of parapet walls around wells in some of the peripheral areas of Gir Sanctuary have prevented this accidental mortality at very low cost.  To assess the efficiency of these measures we did a survey of 20 random villages in the Gir Lion Landscape to collect data on the types of wells that cause this uncalled-for mortality.  The paper explores the reasons for the lions falling into wells in the agricultural areas outside the Gir Sanctuary.  The survey has shown that the corridors used by lions and in the satellite population areas are high risk sites where more parapet walls should be built on a priority basis.  From the year 2007 to 2018 more than 48,000 parapet walls have already been randomly built in the periphery of the Gir Sanctuary.  Out of 130 identified wells, 90 were protected with parapet wall or iron net while, 32 were without parapet wall and rest eight were with unfinished parapet wall.  Providing a scheme for building more parapet walls around prioritized open wells would be an effective step towards Asiatic Lion conservation in the Gir Lion Landscape.  Our survey indicates that there has been no mortality of lions in those wells where parapet walls have been built.

scholarly journals Context matters: the landscape matrix determines the population genetic structure of temperate forest herbs across Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Naaf ◽  
Jannis Till Feigs ◽  
Siyu Huang ◽  
Jörg Brunet ◽  
Sara A. O. Cousins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Landscape Structure ◽  
Population Genetic ◽  
Temperate Forest ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Plant Populations ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Forest Herbs ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Linear Landscape Elements

Abstract Context Plant populations in agricultural landscapes are mostly fragmented and their functional connectivity often depends on seed and pollen dispersal by animals. However, little is known about how the interactions of seed and pollen dispersers with the agricultural matrix translate into gene flow among plant populations. Objectives We aimed to identify effects of the landscape structure on the genetic diversity within, and the genetic differentiation among, spatially isolated populations of three temperate forest herbs. We asked, whether different arable crops have different effects, and whether the orientation of linear landscape elements relative to the gene dispersal direction matters. Methods We analysed the species’ population genetic structures in seven agricultural landscapes across temperate Europe using microsatellite markers. These were modelled as a function of landscape composition and configuration, which we quantified in buffer zones around, and in rectangular landscape strips between, plant populations. Results Landscape effects were diverse and often contrasting between species, reflecting their association with different pollen- or seed dispersal vectors. Differentiating crop types rather than lumping them together yielded higher proportions of explained variation. Some linear landscape elements had both a channelling and hampering effect on gene flow, depending on their orientation. Conclusions Landscape structure is a more important determinant of the species’ population genetic structure than habitat loss and fragmentation per se. Landscape planning with the aim to enhance the functional connectivity among spatially isolated plant populations should consider that even species of the same ecological guild might show distinct responses to the landscape structure.

scholarly journals Constraints to the Development of Ecotourism Potentials along the Babessi-Oku Axis, North West Region of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Nfor Frederick ◽  
Balgah Saunders Nguh
Keyword(s):  
Average Rate ◽  
Global Market ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Aerial Photographs ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Global Village ◽  
Positioning Systems ◽  
North West ◽  
Travel And Tourism ◽  
Secondary Sources

Tourism has become one of the world’s largest industries, with an estimated US$ 3 trillion in annual revenues and expanding at an average rate of 4-5 per cent annually. Since the 1950s, the global market for international travel and tourism has exhibited uninterrupted growth. As the world is becoming a global village, (eco) tourists are looking for new attractions and these are well represented in Cameroon at large and in the Bamenda Highlands in particular. The Bamenda Highlands, on which the Babessi-Oku Axis is found, is one of the most spectacular ecotourism destinations in the country characterized by gentle undulating hilly savanna, patches of forest, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and an amazing cultural diversity. The main objective of this study was to examine the constraints to the development of ecotourism sector along the Babessi-Oku Axis and to develop a sustainable ecotourism management model to address these constraints. Data for this study were obtained through primary and secondary sources. Primary sources of data included: personal interviews, field observation, the use of camera, Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS), questionnaires and the use of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Secondary sources included: materials from published and unpublished works related to the current study, maps and the exploitation of aerial photographs. Findings revealed that there are a plethora of constraints plaguing the ecotourism sector along the Babessi-Oku Axis and these include: degradation of the Oku Montane Forest, poaching, forest destruction for agricultural purposes, extinction of fauna biodiversity, and lack of community participation among others. An ecotourism development model for the study area has been developed in order to sustainably address these ecotourism constraints along the Babessi-Oku Axis.

scholarly journals Structure Analysis of Hedgerows With Respect to Perennial Landscape Lines in Two Contrasting French Agricultural Landscapes

2019 ◽  
pp. 1278-1299
Author(s):  
Sébastien Da Silva ◽  
Florence Le Ber ◽  
Claire Lavigne
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Structure Analysis ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Spatial Extent ◽  
Association Patterns ◽  
Landscape Elements ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
Linear Landscape Elements

Characterizing the spatial distribution of hedgerows over landscapes is important for understanding the effects of this distribution on the dynamics of plant and animal populations. Because hedgerows are planted or managed, the authors hypothesized that their distribution depends on the presence of other linear landscape elements, namely, roads and channels. Using proximity analyses, the authors thus assessed how the spatial distribution of hedgerows was impacted by the position of these linear landscape elements and the spatial extent of this impact for two contrasting agricultural landscapes. The results indicate that hedgerows were generally associated at short distances with other elements (100-150 m). Hedgerows had different association patterns depending on their orientation in one of the two landscapes. In that same landscape, within-landscape heterogeneity was related to different association patterns. These results indicate that models of the spatial distribution of hedgerows would gain from being based on the location of roads and channels in the studied landscape.

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