| 1. |
- Cousins, Sara A. O., et al.
(författare)
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A methodological study for biotope and landscape mapping based on CIR aerial photographs
- 1998
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 41:3-4, s. 183-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper, we present a method for base-line mapping of biotope and landscape elements in the rural Swedish agricultural landscape. The overall goal is to elaborate a classification system for a national landscape monitoring program, based on interpretation of existing colour infrared (CIR) aerial photographs at the scale 1:30000, and including a field control. The classification system developed was tested by mapping landscape elements in strategically selected test areas, and it is assessed with respect to interpretation accuracy. The landscape elements, mapped separately as patches, lines and points, are significant for the biodiversity on landscape level, and are susceptible to change. The classification system is based on a hierarchical approach in five levels, with regard to land use and management, nature type and succession stage, moisture, physiognomy, vegetation cover and plant species. By using the method and the suggested classification system, a base-line mapping can be done very quickly and accurately. The mapping rate is 1.4-2.8 km(2)/h and the interpretation accuracy is 95-99%.
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| 2. |
- Cousins, Sara A. O., et al.
(författare)
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Reconstructing past land use and vegetation patterns using palaeogeographical and archaeological data : A focus on grasslands in Nynas by the Baltic Sea in south-eastern Sweden
- 2002
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 61:1, s. 1-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Past landscape characteristics were reconstructed in Nynas, south-eastern Sweden, using geographical and archaeological data together with pollen stratigraphy and an existing shore displacement model, with the aim to explore the development of semi-natural grasslands in the area. A 2.3 m peat core was analysed and radiocarbon dated at three levels. The pollen stratigraphy was estimated to start at approximately 3800 C-14 years before present (BP), at the end of Late Neolithic. Human activities are evident, from both archaeological findings and pollen analysis, for more than 4000 years. Grazing is apparent, possibly more intense around 3200 C-14 years BP, 2500-2600 C-14 years BP, 2100-2200 C-14 years BP, and 1300/1400 C-14 years BP to present day. From 1900+/-80 C-14 years BP and onwards cultivation is intensified at the same time as spruce (Picea abies) expands. Maps on land-cover distribution in the late 17th century was used as a model for the utilisation of the landscape during the Iron Age. Land-covers on very thin soils were grazed and sometimes mown within the village boundaries, but they were also used for cultivation in narrow strips where bedrock is adjacent to clays. Till and varved glacial clays would have been used for cultivation. A reasonable estimation is that 10% of the study area could have been used for cultivation 1900 C-14 years BP, compared to 28% in the end of the 17th century. During the last century there has been a shift towards more arable fields and more forestry. There are 10% open or semi-open grassland left today, and 6% wooded grassland, compared with 47% open or semi-open grassland in the 17th century. Little more than half of the open grasslands are managed today, all by grazing. It is argued that encroachment of trees and shrubs on open or semi-open grasslands will not only reduce species richness in the landscape but also threaten parts of our cultural heritage.
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| 3. |
- Mörtberg, Ulla M., et al.
(författare)
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Red-listed forest bird species in an urban environment - Assessment of green space corridors
- 2000
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 50:4, s. 215-226
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this work was to investigate if the forest remnants of the city and the system of green space corridors could support target species for conservation, in the form of red-listed forest bird species, to show through the presence of the target species what habitat qualities are still possible near cities, and to reveal those features and properties of the landscape structure that were important in this sense. The findings could be used for developing guidelines for design of urban green space corridors. A spatial analysis was performed, covering the landscape in the study area and 67 sample sites with natural vegetation, within and outside of the green space corridors. Breeding forest birds were recorded and breeding of target species in the sample sites as functions of landscape descriptors was tested using logistic regression. Seven red-listed forest bird species were found breeding in the sample sites. Considering them as indicators of habitat qualities, the results would imply that the qualities of the urban and suburban forests were due to a vast range of deciduous forest, especially broad-leaved, and possibly also to a lower intensity of forestry than in rural areas, resulting in a sufficient number of mature and decaying trees. The logistic regression models showed that important properties of remnants of natural vegetation were large areas of forest on rich soils, together with connectivity in the form of amounts of this habitat in the landscape. These properties were associated with the green space corridors. Implications for the design of urban green space corridors would be to treat mature and decaying trees and patches of moist deciduous forest as a resource for vulnerable species, and to conserve large areas of natural vegetation together with a network of important habitats in the whole landscape, in this case forest on rich soils, also in built-up areas.
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| 4. |
- Ruth-Balaganskaya, Ekaterina, et al.
(författare)
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Soil nutrient status and revegetation practices of downhill skiing areas in Finnish Lapland : a case study of Mt. Ylläs
- 2000
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 50:4, s. 259-268
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ski slope construction is one of the major anthropogenic factors responsible for ecosystem degradation in mountain areas in Finnish Lapland. Mt. Yllas has been used as a downhill skiing slope for about 30 years. Until 1992, the ski slopes were kept in their natural condition: There was no removal of vegetation and soil above the tree line. After 1992, Mt. Yllas went through an extensive construction, the ski slopes were machine-graded and machine-levelled, which caused damage to both vegetation and soil. The aim of the study presented here was to examine nutrient status of various soils on the machine-graded and machine-levelled ski slopes in relation to their potential use as a substrate for revegetation practices. Soil organic matter and nutrient status were analysed in three sites on the slopes of Mt. Yllas in the tree line zone (transit zone between wooded vegetation and treeless alpine vegetation): (1) reference site on the undisturbed area between the ski-runs (Control); (2) disturbed site on the ski-run area (DSP - 'DiSturbed Podzol', - DSL 'DiSturbed Leptosol' and DSB - 'DiSturbed Bare soil'); and (3) Revegetation study Plots established on the ski-runs (RP). The analysis of element concentrations and their relative proportions allow us to conclude that only DSP and DSL can be considered as potentially appropriate for unassisted ecosystem recovery on the ski-runs. Presence of native plant species on these patches supports our conclusion. As a recommendation for revegetation of ski-runs, we propose implementation of substrate composed of upper layer of initial soil. Such substrate can be collected during the construction work on ski slopes or on building sites in the area with similar soils. Uncomposted substrate or at least short period of composting is preferable.
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| 5. |
- Vought, Lena B. M., et al.
(författare)
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Structure and function of buffer strips from a water-quality perspective in agricultural landscapes
- 1995
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 31:1-3, s. 323-331
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Buffer strips can greatly improve the water quality of nearby agricultural streams by reducing nutrient leaching in groundwater and surface water runoff, even though they comprise little of the total catchment area. Hence, vegetated buffer zones located along streams and in the upland portions of the catchment can minimize erosion or trap sediments in surface runoff and thereby decrease phosphorus loading in surface water. For example, a buffer strip 10 m wide can reduce the phosphorus load, typically bound to sediment, by as much as 95%. Moreover, both natural and constructed riparian forests and wetlands may create conditions favorable for nitrogen transformation/removal by soil microbial processes such as denitrification, with as much as 100% of the nitrate being removed in these zones.In addition to nutrient removal, buffer strips will increase the diversity of flora and fauna in the otherwise monocultural landscape. The vegetation along the stream will also stabilize the stream banks and improve habitat for both fish and invertebrates within the stream.
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| 6. |
- Aguilar Cabezas, Francisco X
(författare)
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US family forest management coupling natural and human systems: Role of markets and public policy instruments
- 2019
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 188, s. 43-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We offer a conceptual framework where management couples natural and human systems backed by a representative synthesis of the literature studying US family forest owners. Within a socio-ecological forest system, management occurs at the intersection of resources and conditions intrinsic to owners and land with interactions influenced by extrinsic social and natural factors. Among extrinsic factors, public policy stands out as a major instrument society uses to influence how family forest owners manage their parcels. We discuss how public policy tools influence individual management preferences occurring within a system of forest owners. In the US, forestry extension programs are a major conduit for achieving public policy objectives by increasing family forest owners' knowledge and reducing barriers to purposeful management, among other services. We conclude with insights into documented relationships linking family forestlands and owners to larger natural and human systems and identify areas where more research is warranted.
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| 7. |
- Albert, Christian, et al.
(författare)
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Research note : Spatial planning in Europe and Central Asia - Enhancing the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystem services
- 2020
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 196
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This research note explores opportunities for spatial planning to enhance the consideration of biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES) in Europe and Central Asia. We refer to and build on the regional assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). We find that a targeted and integrated approach to spatial planning can substantially enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ES. Spatial planning is a key instrument to explore spatial implications of combined policies on biodiversity and ES, and to design synergistic solution strategies. Together with other legal and regulatory instruments, spatial planning represents the backbone of policy mixes for biodiversity and ES delivery. Promising strategies for enhancing biodiversity and ES implementation in spatial planning include (i) mapping spatially explicit biodiversity and ES information in appropriate resolution, (ii) developing methods and tools for integrating this information in planning practice, and (iii) fostering delivery mechanisms.
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| 8. |
- Aletta, Francesco, et al.
(författare)
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Soundscape descriptors and a conceptual framework for developing predictive soundscape models
- 2016
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 149, s. 65-74
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Soundscape exists through human perception of the acoustic environment. This paper investigates how soundscape currently is assessed and measured. It reviews and analyzes the main soundscape descriptors in the soundscape literature, and provides a conceptual framework for developing predictive models in soundscape studies. A predictive soundscape model provides a means of predicting the value of a soundscape descriptor, and the blueprint for how to design soundscape. It is the key for implementing the soundscape approach in urban planning and design. The challenge is to select the appropriate soundscape descriptor and to identify its predictors. The majority of available soundscape descriptors are converging towards a 2-dimensional soundscape model of perceived affective quality (e.g., Pleasantness–Eventfulness, or Calmness–Vibrancy). A third potential dimension is the appropriateness of a soundscape to a place. This dimensions provides complementary information beyond the perceived affective quality. However, it depends largely on context, and because a soundscape may be appropriate to a place although it is poor, this descriptor must probably not be used on its own. With regards to predictors, or soundscape indicators, perceived properties of the acoustic environment (e.g., perceived sound sources) are winning over established acoustic and psychoacoustic metrics. To move this area forward it is necessary that the international soundscape community comes together and agrees on relevant soundscape descriptors. This includes to agree on numerical scales and assessment procedures, as well as to standardize them.
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| 9. |
- Anderson, P. M. L., et al.
(författare)
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Ecological outcomes of civic and expert-led urban greening projects using indigenous plant species in Cape Town, South Africa
- 2014
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 127, s. 104-113
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parks and private and public gardens do not exist in isolation, but form part of the urban fabric, contributing to ecological functioning. There is growing interest in how civil society shapes urban ecologies and vegetation patterns. This paper explores the ecological outcomes of a series of indigenous plant greening interventions in Cape Town. The six different sites were sampled: two civic-led intervention sites, one expert-led rehabilitation site, two conservation sites and one abandoned site. These sites are compared in terms of their plant and insect diversity and then discussed in relation to their contingent management arrangements and in relation to conservation and abandoned land. Plant and insect diversity measured at the civic-led greening intervention sites suggest these sites are similar to adjacent conservation sites, while floristic composition differs. The inclusion of a vacant lot with poor species and growth form diversity shows the significant role of intervention in the ecological reformation of urban green space. By emphasizing the ecological outcomes, this study highlights the importance of civil society in linking conservation goals to more broad-based notions of quality of life and the 'good and just city'. Our results indicate that civic-led efforts warrant attention in keeping with those of experts, both in relation to meeting indigenous conservation targets, as well as supporting functional groups and wider ecological processes, with the acknowledged exception of fire. How to integrate such civic-led interventions into urban biodiversity management planning is still an open question.
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| 10. |
- Anderson, Pippin, et al.
(författare)
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Post-apartheid ecologies in the City of Cape Town : An examination of plant functional traits in relation to urban gradients
- 2020
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 193, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study we explore species richness and traits across two urban gradients in the City of Cape Town. The first is the natural-urban boundary and the second is a socio-economic gradient informed by historical race-based apartheid planning. Plant species and cover were recorded in 156 plots sampled from conservation areas, private gardens, and public open green space. The socio-economic gradient transitioned from wealthier, predominantly white neighbourhoods to poorer, pre- dominantly black neighbourhoods. The socio-economic gradient was selected to fall within one original vegetation type to ensure a consistent biophysical template. There is a marked shift between the natural and urban plant communities in the City of Cape Town, with little structural affinity. Urban landscapes are dominated by grass, with low diversity compared to natural counterparts. A significant ecological gradient of reduced biodiversity, traits, and in turn functionality, was found across the socio-economic gradient. Wealthier communities benefit from more private green space, more public green space, and a greater plant diversity. Poorer communities have limited green space on all fronts, and lower plant and trait diversity. Plant communities with limited diversity are less resilient and if exposed to environmental perturbation would lose species, and associated ecosystem services faster than a species rich community. These species-poor plant communities mirror historical apartheid planning that is resistant to change. Based on how biodiversity, functionality, and associated ecosystem services and ecosystem stability are linked, the results of this study suggests how significant environmental injustice persists in the City of Cape Town.
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