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Land, Volume 11, Issue 3 (March 2022) – 136 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): The integration of different sources of information and compound expertise, such as geological, geomorphological, geophysical, historical documentary, and historical climatological, can greatly improve our understanding of natural hazards (NHs) and landslides in particular. Chiefly, we stress the importance of historical sources in scrutinizing NHs that occurred in the past, thus helping land planners to set out tailored risk mitigation strategies. In particular, the use of archive sources for NH analysis could be supported through citizen science projects, especially those involving younger generations and students, supported by researchers and specialists. The article addresses all these facets taking advantage of a well-documented historical landslide triggered in a town of Southern Italy. View this paper
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13 pages, 253 KiB  
Article
Social Aspects in Land Consolidation Processes
by Walter Timo de Vries
Land 2022, 11(3), 452; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030452 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2501
Abstract
Land consolidation is an instrument that readjusts land parcel shapes and reallocates land rights in order to minimize farmland fragmentation, optimize agricultural output, and generate optimal living and working conditions in rural areas. The optimization and reallocation algorithms typically rely on monetarized values [...] Read more.
Land consolidation is an instrument that readjusts land parcel shapes and reallocates land rights in order to minimize farmland fragmentation, optimize agricultural output, and generate optimal living and working conditions in rural areas. The optimization and reallocation algorithms typically rely on monetarized values of land parcels, soil quality, and compensation amounts. Yet, land management interventions also need instruments for socio-spatial optimization, which may be in conflict with the monetary ones. Many non-monetary values are qualitative in nature. Hence, there is a research gap in how such values can be detected and incorporated, such that they can create a multi-dimensional land consolidation outcome. This study applies a situational analytical approach to investigate how, where, and when social values and belief systems play a role in land consolidation cases in three different study areas. This process enables the qualitative detection of which types of social values are central during land consolidations and which ones are most essential when evaluating outcomes of land consolidation. The synthesis derives that the incorporation of aims—such as addressing socio-spatial affinity, need for equity and fairness, human recognition, and good neighborship—is possible through an innovation in land consolidation practices, social valuation methods, and/or socially responsive land consolidation laws. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land, Innovation and Social Good 2.0)
38 pages, 5698 KiB  
Review
Visual Resource Stewardship—An International Perspective
by Andrew Lothian
Land 2022, 11(3), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030451 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2035
Abstract
This paper provides an international perspective on visual resource stewardship. It examines the long history of Britain’s love affair with its landscapes and its abandonment of measuring the subjective element of landscape quality, focusing instead on landscape character, which could be objectively assessed. [...] Read more.
This paper provides an international perspective on visual resource stewardship. It examines the long history of Britain’s love affair with its landscapes and its abandonment of measuring the subjective element of landscape quality, focusing instead on landscape character, which could be objectively assessed. This paper summarises the development of the European Landscape Convention, which has been embraced across much of Europe, and which follows Britain’s emphasis on landscape character. Programs in a range of European countries are reviewed. The recognition of outstanding landscapes under the World Heritage Convention, the UN List of Protected Areas program which includes landscapes, and National Scenic Area programs, are briefly summarised. The key message of this paper is that most of the provisions summarised focus on the character of the landscape and not its quality. Because it has been alleged, particularly in Britain and Europe, that it is too difficult to measure scenic quality, landscape character has become the subject instead of scenic quality. Full article
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17 pages, 7876 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Expansion Characteristics of Rural Settlements Based on Scale Growth Function in Himalayan Region
by Kairui Guo, Yong Huang and Dan Chen
Land 2022, 11(3), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030450 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
Road infrastructure is reshaping the rural settlement landscape in the Himalayan area of China through the construction of the rural road and strategic highway network. However, most methods based on multiple factors described in spatial analysis of rural settlement are limited by poor [...] Read more.
Road infrastructure is reshaping the rural settlement landscape in the Himalayan area of China through the construction of the rural road and strategic highway network. However, most methods based on multiple factors described in spatial analysis of rural settlement are limited by poor spatial response mechanisms of key factors. This study provides insight into the temporal and spatial process involving 15 rural settlements of Zhada County, west of the Himalayas. The growth of rural settlement follows a “short-head S-shape” function and the general expansion rule. It indicates the mode of evolution and the characteristics of construction. The results show that 70% of rural settlements continue to report the inertia of growth, while the reconstruction of the original site leads to historical spatial displacement under spatio-temporal compression. In addition, rural settlements display a spatial organization of interface area, hinterland, and fringe area and reveal two spatial paradigms of near-road expansion and peripheral extrusion. Further, the hinterland space, which is the core of rural settlement, is compact and intensive; a quarter of the hinterland space encompasses 45% of the settlement scale. These conclusions provide guidance for delineating village boundaries and improving the human settlement environment in the Himalayan-alpine plateau. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Rural Transformation under Rapid Urbanization)
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22 pages, 6879 KiB  
Project Report
Habitat Management of the Endemic and Critical Endangered Montseny Brook Newt (Calotriton arnoldi)
by Daniel Guinart, Sònia Solórzano, Fèlix Amat, Jordina Grau, Daniel Fernández-Guiberteau and Albert Montori
Land 2022, 11(3), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030449 - 21 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3140
Abstract
Calotriton arnoldi is an endemic amphibian inhabiting Montseny Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve (PNRBM), listed as “critically endangered (CR)” by IUCN. At the end of 2016, the Life Tritó del Montseny (LIFETM) project (LIFE15 NAT/ES/000757) was launched. The aim of the project was [...] Read more.
Calotriton arnoldi is an endemic amphibian inhabiting Montseny Natural Park and Biosphere Reserve (PNRBM), listed as “critically endangered (CR)” by IUCN. At the end of 2016, the Life Tritó del Montseny (LIFETM) project (LIFE15 NAT/ES/000757) was launched. The aim of the project was to promote around fifty actions to ensure the conservation of C. arnoldi and its natural habitat, and this entailed five strategic lines: (1) Increasing the scientific and technical knowledge with regard to C. arnoldi’s conservation status and its habitat management. (2) Expanding its geographic distribution. (3) Involving and engaging stakeholders in the conservation of the Montseny brook newt. (4) Eliminating or minimizing threats that exist in the riparian habitat. (5) Establishing proper legal coverage and defining long-term strategic planning. The successes and failures experienced throughout the process provide us with essential information that will enable us to develop an adaptive management of the habitat. In order to eliminate or minimize threats to the newt’s habitat, some of the actions that are currently being carried out are: (a) Land acquisitions and land exchanges with private properties. (b) Land stewardship procedures, with two custody agreements being signed. (c) Reduction of water withdrawal with nine water catchments and distribution being remodeled. (d) Improvement of water treatments and storage by installing ecological wastewater treatment facilities. (e) Ensuring ecological connectivity and riparian forest restoration. Here, we present an evaluation of the actions carried out to improve the habitat of this species, including the necessary considerations for them to be implemented correctly and to be successful in a natural area, which is under public-private management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wildlife Protection and Habitat Management: Practice and Perspectives)
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30 pages, 1120 KiB  
Article
Predicting Private and Public Pro-Environmental Behaviors in Rural Tourism Contexts Using SEM and fsQCA: The Role of Destination Image and Relationship Quality
by Xiaojuan Rao, Hongliang Qiu, Alastair M. Morrison, Wei Wei and Xihua Zhang
Land 2022, 11(3), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030448 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3689
Abstract
The importance of pro-environmental behavior in tourism has been established, but explaining its sub-dimensions, especially in the private and public dimensions, is under-researched. Existing literature on tourism research mainly uses SEM to analyze tourist pro-environmental behavior, while fsQCA is scarcely implemented. In this [...] Read more.
The importance of pro-environmental behavior in tourism has been established, but explaining its sub-dimensions, especially in the private and public dimensions, is under-researched. Existing literature on tourism research mainly uses SEM to analyze tourist pro-environmental behavior, while fsQCA is scarcely implemented. In this study, SEM is applied to reveal the links among destination image, relationship quality, and pro-environmental behavior, while fsQCA is utilized to investigate configurations predicting pro-environmental behavior. Responses of 285 tourists were collected and analyzed to test the proposed hypotheses. The SEM results showed that (1) destination image directly and positively affected relationship quality (including satisfaction and destination trust); (2) relationship quality was found to positively and directly influence private and public pro-environmental behaviors; (3) relationship quality did mediate the influence of destination image on private pro-environmental behavior partially, while it played a full mediating role in the effect of destination image on public pro-environmental behavior. The findings from fsQCA indicated that (1) three sufficient configurations consistently lead to a high level of private pro-environmental behavior: (a) high destination image and satisfaction, (b) high destination image and trust, (c) high relationship quality; (2) there was only one sufficient causal configuration for a high level of public pro-environmental behavior: high relationship quality. The results provide tenable evidence that relationship quality can be a vital factor enhancing the sub-dimensions of pro-environmental behavior. The integration of these two methods helps to open the black box of tourist pro-environmental behavior in rural tourism contexts in a more systematic and holistic way. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Issues and Their Impact on Tourism Development)
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24 pages, 3275 KiB  
Article
Family Farming as a Key Element of the Multifunctional and Territorialized Agrifood Systems as Witnessed in the South Pacific Region of Costa Rica
by Frank González, Yazmín León and Nieves López-Estébanez
Land 2022, 11(3), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030447 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2551
Abstract
In Central America, Family Farming (FF) is characterized by the fostering of endogenous development, self-sustaining economies, food safety and upholding the values of the agricultural landscape. However, government agricultural policies have promoted an external model of development based on industrial monocultures, which generates [...] Read more.
In Central America, Family Farming (FF) is characterized by the fostering of endogenous development, self-sustaining economies, food safety and upholding the values of the agricultural landscape. However, government agricultural policies have promoted an external model of development based on industrial monocultures, which generates socioeconomic and environmental instability, deficient models of agroproduction commercialisation and the impoverishment of agricultural landscapes. This article details the case of 60 farms from 22 communities in the municipality of Buenos Aires, in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica, where biological/physical, socioeconomic, marketing and governance issues of a Multifunctional and Territorialized Agrifood System have been characterized based on the family unit of production. In addition, a differentiation was made between peasant and indigenous farmers as their cultural backgrounds may then lead to their adopting different attitudes and distinct actions. By analysing the productive diversification of the models, the behaviour of the local marketing channels and their associative potential, the socio-ecological characteristics of the region were identified, including the strengths and weaknesses that should influence the model of agroproductive development and regional governance. Full article
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18 pages, 3110 KiB  
Article
Forest Management under Climate Change: A Decision Analysis of Thinning Interventions for Water Services and Biomass in a Norway Spruce Stand in South Germany
by Simant Rimal, Marc Djahangard and Rasoul Yousefpour
Land 2022, 11(3), 446; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030446 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2007
Abstract
Climate change is producing threats to forests’ capacity of regulating water regimes. Therefore, thinning strategies can be applied to mitigate climate change impacts more efficiently by providing more spaces for trees to utilize resources e.g., water and nutrients. This study examined the effects [...] Read more.
Climate change is producing threats to forests’ capacity of regulating water regimes. Therefore, thinning strategies can be applied to mitigate climate change impacts more efficiently by providing more spaces for trees to utilize resources e.g., water and nutrients. This study examined the effects of different thinning intensities and intervals on water characteristics and biomass growth of a 75-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies) stand in the Black Forest, Germany. Here we used a water and management sensitive update of the process-based forest growth model 3PG, 3PG-Hydro. We applied light (10%), moderate (30%), and heavy thinning (50% intensity) in the interval of 10, 25, and 50 years of the management period. We simulated growth with climate change scenario RCP 8.5 data from 1995 to 2065. We analyzed the effects of the different thinning regimens on biomass, evapotranspiration as well as water yield. Thinning intensity and interval as well as their interaction have significant influence on production of stand biomass and water yield for all thinning regimes applied (p < 0.05). However, there is no significant difference (p > 0.05) in accumulated biomass (thinned biomass added to the stand biomass) between the applied thinning regimes. Light thinning in a long interval (50 years) produced highest stand biomass among the applied thinning regimes. Furthermore, the prediction showed that accumulated water yield increased with increasing thinning intensity. Our study concludes that repeated moderate thinning at intermediate intervals results in a high water yield without losing biomass production. Full article
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18 pages, 8583 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Neighborhood Green-Space Quality Using a Building Blue–Green Index (BBGI) in Nanjing, China
by Zhiming Li, Xiyang Chen, Zhou Shen and Zhengxi Fan
Land 2022, 11(3), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030445 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4159
Abstract
High-quality urban green space (UGS) is an integral part of a livable city. The scientific evaluation of UGS has great value for improving the quality and efficiency of green spaces. In this study, we integrated the water and walking networks into the existing [...] Read more.
High-quality urban green space (UGS) is an integral part of a livable city. The scientific evaluation of UGS has great value for improving the quality and efficiency of green spaces. In this study, we integrated the water and walking networks into the existing green index model and proposed a new green index: the building blue–green index (BBGI). Using this method, we analyzed the quality of green spaces within 300 m of 2138 buildings located in 13 communities in the Mochou Lake subdistrict in Nanjing, China. The results revealed that the green-space quality of high-rise, low-density buildings was greater than that of low-rise, high-density buildings. In addition, buildings close to water had higher green-space quality, while impervious surfaces reduced green-space quality. Furthermore, the connectivity and orientation of the road network indicated that even if a community was close to large parks and water bodies, there would still be lower green-space quality. This study’s findings highlight the usefulness of evaluation methods for green-space quality that combine blue and green spaces. We also propose feasible measures for improving neighborhood green-space planning and land management. Full article
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16 pages, 1343 KiB  
Article
Soil OC and N Stocks in the Saline Soil of Tunisian Gataaya Oasis Eight Years after Application of Manure and Compost
by Nadhem Brahim, Hatem Ibrahim, Rawan Mlih, Abdelhakim Bouajila, Nissaf Karbout and Roland Bol
Land 2022, 11(3), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030442 - 20 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2170
Abstract
Soil organic matter plays an important role in improving soil properties, crop productivity and is a key constituent and driver of the global carbon cycle. Nevertheless, relatively limited quantitative information is available on the organic carbon (OC) stocks and the actual potentials for [...] Read more.
Soil organic matter plays an important role in improving soil properties, crop productivity and is a key constituent and driver of the global carbon cycle. Nevertheless, relatively limited quantitative information is available on the organic carbon (OC) stocks and the actual potentials for OC and total nitrogen (N) sequestration under arid cropping systems. In this study, we evaluated the immediate and long-term (after eight years) effects of compost or manure additions, at a rate of 100 t ha−1, on the soil OC and N stocks in the Gataaya oasis in Southern Tunisia. The oasis had been abandoned and no additions had taken place in the 10 years prior to experiment. Soil samples were taken systematically every 10 cm up to a depth of 50 cm. After adding compost (CMP) and manure (MAN) in 2013, the bulk density (BD) decreased in the surface layers, especially at the 0–10 cm soil layer where it declined from 1.53 g cm−3 to 1.38 g cm−3 under compost and 1.41 g cm−3 under manure. Soil OC and N stocks, however, increased after adding compost and manure. Manure contributed more to OC stock increase than compost, with +337 and +241%, respectively. Correspondingly, the N stock increased by + 47 and +12%, respectively, due to manure and compost. After four years, compared to 2013 stocks, the decrease in OC stock was almost identical with −43 (CMP) and −41% (MAN). However, N stock seemed more stable under compost compared to manure, with −2 and −19%, respectively. After eight years, the N stock remained higher in the deepest layer 30–50 cm compared to other layers. This suggested that high gypsum application can inhibit N mineralization. The initial enhanced OC stock after the organic amendment, both for compost and for manure, was very quickly lost and after eight years had virtually returned to the initial OC state by the end of the eight years. Therefore, these oasis ecosystems require a near annual supply of exogenous organic material to maintain OC at an enhanced level. After eight years, manure amendment was found to be better than compost for increasing soil OC (3.16 against 1.86 t/ha, respectively) and for increasing N (0.35 against 0.18 t/ha, respectively). However, the cost and availability make the amendment with compost more interesting in oasis (400 Tunisian dinars/t for compost against 1016 Tunisian dinars/t for manure). Full article
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21 pages, 4755 KiB  
Article
Discovering a Project for the Development of Geotourism in Rural Areas: The Paleontological and Archaeological Interpretation Centre of Tamajón (CIPAT, Guadalajara, Spain)
by Fernando Barroso-Barcenilla, María del Rosario Alcalde-Fuentes, Julia Audije-Gil, Mélani Berrocal-Casero, Pedro Miguel Callapez, Senay Ozkaya de Juanas, Juan Alberto Pérez-Valera, Vanda Faria dos Santos and Manuel Segura
Land 2022, 11(3), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030444 - 19 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2331
Abstract
The important paleontological and archaeological discoveries made in Tamajón in recent years have enriched the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of this town in the north of the Guadalajara province (central Spain). The extraordinary educational and outreach value of these findings led the [...] Read more.
The important paleontological and archaeological discoveries made in Tamajón in recent years have enriched the exceptional natural and cultural heritage of this town in the north of the Guadalajara province (central Spain). The extraordinary educational and outreach value of these findings led the PaleoIbérica Research Group to develop a project for the design and creation of the Paleontological and Archaeological Interpretation Centre of Tamajón (CIPAT, acronym in Spanish). In this new space, students and the general public have access to knowledge of the past of the region through three exhibition and didactic areas and the support of a rigorous and engaging infographic. The Paleontological Area allows visitors to explore, through fossils, replicas, models (real and virtual) and dioramas, the diversity of coastal and marine life that inhabited the region during the Late Cretaceous Age. Moreover, the area highlights crocodylomorphs, dinosaurs and fishes (identified through their fossilized tracks), and the remains of plants and invertebrates. The Archaeological Area shows the origin and uses of the building material known as Tamajón Stone by means of rough or carved samples, tools traditionally used in its extraction and carving, and historical photographs. Furthermore, in the Didactic Area, innovative specific educational activities are carried out, facilitating the knowledge and appreciation of the rich natural and cultural heritage of Tamajón. After its recent inauguration (August 2021), the CIPAT is a valuable tool to encourage the practice of positive attitudes toward geoconservation and to promote the sustainable and socioeconomic development of the region through geotourism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Heritage: Geomorphology, Geoheritage and Geoparks)
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22 pages, 6994 KiB  
Article
Spatial Decision-Making for Dense Built Environments: The Logic Scoring of Preference Method for 3D Suitability Analysis
by Kendra Munn, Suzana Dragićević and Rob Feick
Land 2022, 11(3), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030443 - 19 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1944
Abstract
As many urban areas undergo increasing densification, there is a growing need for methods that can extend spatial analysis and decision-making for three-dimensional (3D) environments. Traditional multicriteria evaluation (MCE) methods implemented within geographic information systems (GIS) can assist in spatial decision-making but are [...] Read more.
As many urban areas undergo increasing densification, there is a growing need for methods that can extend spatial analysis and decision-making for three-dimensional (3D) environments. Traditional multicriteria evaluation (MCE) methods implemented within geographic information systems (GIS) can assist in spatial decision-making but are rarely suited for 3D environments. These methods typically use a simplified decision logic that limits the number of evaluation criteria and variability of output suitability scores. In this study, the logic scoring of preference (LSP) as a generalized MCE method is used for 3D suitability analysis to better represent human reasoning through flexible soft computing stepwise decision logic operators. This research: (1) implements the LSP–MCE method to compare the suitability of high-rise residential units in 3D, and (2) performs criteria weight sensitivity and cost–suitability analyses using datasets for the City of Vancouver, Canada. LSP aggregation structures are developed for unique priorities and requirements of three demographic profiles. The results demonstrate the method’s flexibility in representing unique preference sets comprising 2D and 3D criteria, and that cost has a significant effect on residential unit attractiveness in a dense built environment. The proposed 3D LSP–MCE method could be adapted to benefit other stakeholders, such as property tax assessors, urban planners, and developers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reflecting on the Future of the Built Environment)
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21 pages, 4030 KiB  
Article
From Mounds to Villages: The Social Construction of the Landscape during the Middle and Late Holocene in the India Muerta Lowlands, Uruguay
by Nicolás Gazzán, Cristina Cancela-Cereijo, Camila Gianotti, Pastor Fábrega-Álvarez, Laura del Puerto and Felipe Criado-Boado
Land 2022, 11(3), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030441 - 19 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2555
Abstract
This paper presents new data on the spatial organization of mound-builder groups in the India Muerta wetlands, Uruguay. This area presents the beginning of land architecture in the region (ca. 4800–5000 years BP), associated with more arid climate. This construction tradition continues and [...] Read more.
This paper presents new data on the spatial organization of mound-builder groups in the India Muerta wetlands, Uruguay. This area presents the beginning of land architecture in the region (ca. 4800–5000 years BP), associated with more arid climate. This construction tradition continues and intensifies, mainly from ca 3000 years BP, from the establishment of warmer and damper conditions. New sources of information and geospatial technologies have made it possible to locate mound sites with greater precision, as well as to analyze settlement patterns. Indigenous communities occupied areas of hills, plains and wetlands, showing differences but also regularities in spatial organization in each area. In the whole area, earthen mound complexes form groups of different orders, from regional to domestic units, configured by mounds, negative structures and limited spaces. The location of the mounds is primarily in dry areas, known locally as islands, which are prominent in the landscape during floods in this wetland-dominated environment. Through this analysis of the landscape, this work delves into the underlying logic of the social construction of the territory. The results achieved in this paper are consistent with previous research suggesting planned occupation associated with villages integrated within broader regional systems. Full article
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21 pages, 3414 KiB  
Article
Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Land Use Transition in the Background of Carbon Emission Trading Scheme Implementation: An Economic–Environmental Perspective
by Peijia Wang and Ping Wang
Land 2022, 11(3), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030440 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1793
Abstract
In the political context of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality” proposed by the Chinese government, this paper investigates the spatio-temporal evolution of land use transition in China after the implementation of the carbon emission trading scheme (CETS). Based on the analysis of the [...] Read more.
In the political context of “carbon peaking” and “carbon neutrality” proposed by the Chinese government, this paper investigates the spatio-temporal evolution of land use transition in China after the implementation of the carbon emission trading scheme (CETS). Based on the analysis of the spatio-temporal evolution, we discuss the spatial spillover of the policy effects. With the help of China’s CETS policy, this study explores the above issues with the main observation samples of the six provincial pilots included in CETS. Using the entropy weighting method, the indicator construction method, and local Moran’s I test, this paper takes 30 provincial areas in China from 2010 to 2017 as the full sample, and draws the following conclusions: (1) both the economic and environmental effects generated by CETS can optimize land use transition in the pilot areas, but the effective time points of the two are different; (2) the time for land use transition to be optimized by the two effects of CETS is different, among which the economic effect takes effect faster than the environmental effect; and (3) there is spatial spillover of the optimization effect of CETS on land use transition, but the specific effect depends on the industrial structure and development plan of the pilot areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Socioeconomic Evaluation of Climate Change Impacts on Land Ecosystems)
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10 pages, 305 KiB  
Article
Investigating Change in the Willingness to Pay for a More Sustainable Tourist Destination in a World Heritage City
by Carlos Jurado-Rivas and Marcelino Sánchez-Rivero
Land 2022, 11(3), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030439 - 18 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
The willingness to pay for sustainable tourism products and services has been widely discussed in the scientific literature. However, change in the willingness to pay over time has rarely been analysed. Such studies are important for understanding the impact that the increasing debate [...] Read more.
The willingness to pay for sustainable tourism products and services has been widely discussed in the scientific literature. However, change in the willingness to pay over time has rarely been analysed. Such studies are important for understanding the impact that the increasing debate on sustainability, including environmental, economic, and social aspects, may have had on the willingness of tourists to pay more in order to ensure the sustainability of destinations. The aim of this article is to assess how the willingness of tourists to pay for sustainable tourism services has developed in the Spanish city of Cáceres, declared a World Heritage Site in 1986. Data from surveys conducted in 2012 and 2016 were used for this purpose. Logistic regression was applied to determine whether sociodemographic characteristics of tourists who visit the city influenced their willingness to pay in each year. A Chow test was applied to elucidate whether the differences between the years were statistically significant. The results obtained indicate that only the level of education determined willingness to pay, while origin, gender and age showed no effect. No significant change in the willingness to pay for sustainability was found among tourists in Cáceres between 2012 and 2016. These findings indicate that the willingness to pay for more sustainable tourism services did not increase during the period studied. We propose some measures such as a ‘municipal observatory of sustainable tourism’ in order to increase willingness to pay in this type of destination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cultural Landscapes)
21 pages, 5516 KiB  
Article
The Evolution and Response of Space Utilization Efficiency and Carbon Emissions: A Comparative Analysis of Spaces and Regions
by Ruimin Yin, Zhanqi Wang, Ji Chai, Yunxiao Gao and Feng Xu
Land 2022, 11(3), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030438 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2577
Abstract
Space utilization and climate change are related to human survival and development. Identifying the relationship between development and conservation is the foundation of sustainable development. We used the kernel density curve, spatial analysis, and the sensitivity model to study the spatial use efficiency [...] Read more.
Space utilization and climate change are related to human survival and development. Identifying the relationship between development and conservation is the foundation of sustainable development. We used the kernel density curve, spatial analysis, and the sensitivity model to study the spatial use efficiency and carbon emissions evolution characteristics at the provincial and regional levels in China from 1999 to 2019. The results show that a trend of high efficiency and low carbon emissions in southeast coastal cities and towns is gradually forming, and agricultural spaces are moving toward high efficiency and high carbon emissions patterns. The evolution paths of space utilization efficiency and carbon emissions differ significantly across spaces and regions. We also found similarities in how carbon emissions intensity responds to changes in spatial utilization efficiency in the Yangtze and Yellow River basin urban agglomeration. The study provides practical suggestions for the high-quality development of territorial space, ecological environment management, and sustainable development in light of spatiotemporal changes. Full article
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41 pages, 74207 KiB  
Article
Mapping Agricultural Lands: From Conventional to Regenerative
by Luke Bergmann, Luis Fernando Chaves, Carolyn R. Betz, Serena Stein, Brian Wiedenfeld, Ann Wolf and Robert G. Wallace
Land 2022, 11(3), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030437 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 8649
Abstract
In an era in which conventional agriculture has come under question for its environmental and social costs, regenerative agriculture suggests that land management practices can be organized around farming and grazing practices that regenerate interdependent ecological and community processes for generations to come. [...] Read more.
In an era in which conventional agriculture has come under question for its environmental and social costs, regenerative agriculture suggests that land management practices can be organized around farming and grazing practices that regenerate interdependent ecological and community processes for generations to come. However, little is known about the geographies of ‘regenerative’ and ‘conventional’ agricultural lands—what defines them, where they are, and the extent to which actual agricultural lands interweave both or are characterizable by neither. In the context of the Midwest of the United States, we develop and map an index quantifying the degrees to which the agricultural lands of counties could be said to be regenerative, conventional, or both. We complement these results by using a clustering method to partition the land into distinct agricultural regions. Both approaches rely on a set of variables characterizing land we developed through an iterative dialogue across difference among our authors, who have a range of relevant backgrounds. We map, analyze, and synthesize our results by considering local contexts beyond our variables, comparing and contrasting the resulting perspectives on the geographies of midwestern agricultural lands. Our results portray agricultural lands of considerable diversity within and between states, as well as ecological and physiographic regions. Understanding the general patterns and detailed empirical geographies that emerge suggests spatial relationships that can inform peer-to-peer exchanges among farmers, agricultural extension, civil society, and policy formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)
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25 pages, 3254 KiB  
Article
GIS-Based Comparative Study of the Bayesian Network, Decision Table, Radial Basis Function Network and Stochastic Gradient Descent for the Spatial Prediction of Landslide Susceptibility
by Junpeng Huang, Sixiang Ling, Xiyong Wu and Rui Deng
Land 2022, 11(3), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030436 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3144
Abstract
Landslides frequently occur along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, which poses a risk to the construction, maintenance, and transportation of the proposed Dujiangyan city to Siguniang Mountain (DS) railway, China. Therefore, four advanced machine learning models, namely, the Bayesian network (BN), [...] Read more.
Landslides frequently occur along the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, which poses a risk to the construction, maintenance, and transportation of the proposed Dujiangyan city to Siguniang Mountain (DS) railway, China. Therefore, four advanced machine learning models, namely, the Bayesian network (BN), decision table (DTable), radial basis function network (RBFN), and stochastic gradient descent (SGD), are proposed in this study to delineate landslide susceptibility zones. First, a landslide inventory map was randomly divided into 828 (75%) samples and 276 (25%) samples for training and validation, respectively. Second, the One-R technique was utilized to analyze the importance of 14 variables. Then, the prediction capability of the four models was validated and compared in terms of different statistical indices (accuracy (ACC) and Cohen’s kappa coefficient (k)) and the areas under the curve (AUC) in the receiver operating characteristic curve. The results showed that the SGD model performed best (AUC = 0.897, ACC = 80.98%, and k = 0.62), followed by the BN (AUC = 0.863, ACC = 78.80%, and k = 0.58), RBFN (AUC = 0.846, ACC = 77.36%, and k = 0.55), and DTable (AUC = 0.843, ACC = 76.45%, and k = 0.53) models. The susceptibility maps revealed that the DS railway segments from Puyang town to Dengsheng village are in high and very high-susceptibility zones. Full article
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19 pages, 17220 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Impact of Farmland Recessive Morphology Transition on High-Quality Agricultural Development in China
by Xinhai Lu, Zhoumi Li, Hongzheng Wang, Yifeng Tang, Bixia Hu, Mingyue Gong and Yulong Li
Land 2022, 11(3), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030435 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1837
Abstract
Recessive morphology transition (RMT) involves the smooth transition of farmland property rights, input structure, quality, and function. China’s agriculture has changed from a period of high-speed growth to a period of high-quality development. Compared with dominant morphology transition (DMT) characterized by quantitative focus, [...] Read more.
Recessive morphology transition (RMT) involves the smooth transition of farmland property rights, input structure, quality, and function. China’s agriculture has changed from a period of high-speed growth to a period of high-quality development. Compared with dominant morphology transition (DMT) characterized by quantitative focus, it is of more practical significance to explore the impact of RMT on high-quality agricultural development (HAD). This paper firstly constructed a multidimensional index system to quantify HAD. Based on analysis of the impact mechanism of RMT on HAD, a spatial econometric model was established to explore the impact by making use of the panel data of 27 provinces in China from 2003–2017. The results indicated that RMT and HAD both have positive geospatial correlation. Furthermore, the spatial econometric model provides more accurate results of the impact of RMT on HAD than panel models. If the RMT in a local province increases by 1%, HAD could be augmented by 0.13%. Likewise, RMT has a strong positive spatial spillover effect on HAD. If the RMT in a certain province increases by 1%, HAD could add 1.22% in neighboring provinces. The analysis suggests that spatial coordination of farmland use is an important foundation for constructing high-quality development association of regional agriculture. It is necessary to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation in the process of farmland recessive morphology transition and high-quality agricultural development. Full article
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43 pages, 4935 KiB  
Review
Factors Affecting Wetland Loss: A Review
by Gastón Antonio Ballut-Dajud, Luis Carlos Sandoval Herazo, Gregorio Fernández-Lambert, José Luis Marín-Muñiz, María Cristina López Méndez and Erick Arturo Betanzo-Torres
Land 2022, 11(3), 434; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030434 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 10264
Abstract
Despite occupying an area no greater than 8% of the earth’s surface, natural wetland ecosystems fulfill multiple ecological functions: 1. Soil formation and stabilization support, 2. Food, water, and plant biomass supply, 3. Cultural/recreational services, landscape, and ecological tourism, 4. Climate regulation, and [...] Read more.
Despite occupying an area no greater than 8% of the earth’s surface, natural wetland ecosystems fulfill multiple ecological functions: 1. Soil formation and stabilization support, 2. Food, water, and plant biomass supply, 3. Cultural/recreational services, landscape, and ecological tourism, 4. Climate regulation, and 5. Carbon sequestration; with the last one being its most important function. They are subject to direct and indirect incident factors that affect plant productivity and the sequestration of carbon from the soil. Thus, the objective of this review was to identify the incident factors in the loss of area and carbon sequestration in marine, coastal, and continental wetlands that have had an impact on climate change in the last 14 years, globally. The methodology consisted of conducting a literature review in international databases, analyzing a sample of 134 research studies from 37 countries, organized in tables and figures supported by descriptive statistics and content analysis. Global results indicate that agriculture (25%), urbanization (16.8%), aquaculture (10.7%), and industry (7.6%) are incident factors that promote wetlands effective loss affecting continental wetlands more than coastal and marine ones. Regarding carbon sequestration, this is reduced by vegetation loss since GHG emissions raise because the soil is exposed to sun rays, increasing surface temperature and oxidation, and raising organic matter decomposition and the eutrophication phenomenon caused by the previous incident factors that generate wastewater rich in nutrients in their different activities, thus creating biomass and plant growth imbalances, either at the foliage or root levels and altering the accumulation of organic matter and carbon. It is possible to affirm in conclusion that the most affected types of wetlands are: mangroves (25.7%), lagoons (19.11%), and marine waters (11.7%). Furthermore, it was identified that agriculture has a greater incidence in the loss of wetlands, followed by urbanization and industry in a lower percentage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Celebrating 25 Years of World Wetlands Day)
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16 pages, 2773 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Pattern Evolution and Influence Mechanism of Urban Vertical Expansion: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China
by Ning Wang, Zhigang Chen, Tianshu Li and Mengjia Zhen
Land 2022, 11(3), 433; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030433 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1859
Abstract
Urban expansion is not only reflected in the increase in horizontal urban area, but also in the increase in vertical urban height, that is, the city’s vertical expansion. Exploring the spatiotemporal evolution of urban vertical expansion and its influencing factors is critical for [...] Read more.
Urban expansion is not only reflected in the increase in horizontal urban area, but also in the increase in vertical urban height, that is, the city’s vertical expansion. Exploring the spatiotemporal evolution of urban vertical expansion and its influencing factors is critical for furthering urban expansion research. This paper characterized the degree of urban vertical expansion using the floor area ratio (FAR) of newly added residential land in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2009 to 2018, and discussed the spatiotemporal characteristics, regional differences and influencing factors of urban vertical expansion. The results indicate the following: (1) The degree of urban vertical expansion in Jiangsu Province exhibited an inverted “U” shape that increased and then decreased. Spatially, it presented a pattern of high in the west and low in the east areas, while high in the north and low in the south areas. (2) There were significant α-convergence, β-convergence and club convergence phenomena in Jiangsu Province’s urban vertical expansion. The convergence speed was fast in the north and south areas but slow in the middle. (3) Real estate development investment and slope had a significant positive impact on urban vertical expansion, while urban per capita disposable income and economic structure had a non-linear impact on urban vertical expansion intensity. Finally, this paper highlighted the importance of further investigation into urban expansion from multiple dimensions. The government should strengthen its control over the various land plot ratios to ensure the city’s orderly expansion and healthy development. Full article
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17 pages, 2772 KiB  
Article
Intensive Evaluation and High-Quality Redevelopment of Enterprise Land Use: A Case Study in China
by Zhiheng Yang, Shaoxing Li, Dongqi Sun, Chenxi Li and Jiahui Wu
Land 2022, 11(3), 432; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030432 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2161
Abstract
The reuse of existing industrial spatial resources in China’s major urban agglomerations is still very unbalanced and needs more in-depth research. This study used intensive evaluation technology for industrial land in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei to evaluate Tianjin and Hebei development zones, and [...] Read more.
The reuse of existing industrial spatial resources in China’s major urban agglomerations is still very unbalanced and needs more in-depth research. This study used intensive evaluation technology for industrial land in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei to evaluate Tianjin and Hebei development zones, and took the Dingzhou Economic Development Zone as an example to evaluate and analyze the intensive use of enterprise land; it suggests the influencing factors for the intensive use of development zones and the measures that can take advantage of the potential of enterprise stock land so as to provide a basis for the rationale behind upgrading industrial land structures and the efficient use of industrial land in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. The results show that the typical enterprise land use in the typical economic development zone is extensive, which suggests that the intensive use of land in the Dingzhou economic development zone is low and that there is still potential for land redevelopment. According to the classification system developed for available land, there is ample opportunity for land-use redevelopment in the development zone, especially in the area of approved but not supplied land and extended enterprise land. Therefore, the redevelopment of enterprise land could also provide a better land guarantee for industrial transfer projects in the equipment manufacturing industry. This study also offers strategies to redevelop available industrial land. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability)
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14 pages, 8448 KiB  
Article
Improving Outdoor Thermal Comfort in a Steppe Climate: Effect of Water and Trees in an Urban Park
by Saeid Teshnehdel, Elisa Gatto, Dongying Li and Robert D. Brown
Land 2022, 11(3), 431; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030431 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4268
Abstract
Excess heat in urban environments is an increasing threat to human health and well-being. Furthermore, the increasingly important phenomenon of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) is exacerbating problems of livability in urban centers. Hence, there should be an increasing effort to assess the [...] Read more.
Excess heat in urban environments is an increasing threat to human health and well-being. Furthermore, the increasingly important phenomenon of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) is exacerbating problems of livability in urban centers. Hence, there should be an increasing effort to assess the impact of heat mitigation strategies (HMSs) on outdoor thermal comfort in cities. This research has investigated how urban areas in steppe climate zones can be more thermally comfortable due to the effects of water bodies and trees, and how this might help to mitigate heat waves. Numerical simulations using the ENVI-met microclimate model have been performed for an urban park in Tabriz, Iran. In-situ measurements of air temperature (Ta) and mean radiant temperature (MRT) have been carried out in the study site and the collected data was used to validate the model (RMSE value 0.98 °C for Ta and 5.85 °C for MRT). Results show that water body evaporation without trees may decrease the air temperature, but on the other hand also increases the humidity, which reduces the positive impact on thermal comfort. However, the combination of water body with trees represents a better performance in the regulation of urban microclimate and thermal comfort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers for Land Planning and Architecture Section)
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20 pages, 89144 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Impervious Surface Dynamics through Vegetation/High-Albedo/Low-Albedo/Soil Model and Socio-Economic Factors
by Kapo Wong, Yuanzhi Zhang, Qiuming Cheng, Ming Chun Chao and Jin Yeu Tsou
Land 2022, 11(3), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030430 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
Hong Kong and Shenzhen have entirely different land-use development policies, resulting in a disparity in the increase rate of impervious surface area. Impervious surface estimation is a significant method for evaluating urbanization, so that countries and cities can deal with their growing populations. [...] Read more.
Hong Kong and Shenzhen have entirely different land-use development policies, resulting in a disparity in the increase rate of impervious surface area. Impervious surface estimation is a significant method for evaluating urbanization, so that countries and cities can deal with their growing populations. The impervious surface area was estimated through Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image extraction, the V-H-L-S (vegetation, high-albedo, low-albedo, and soil) model, and linear spectral un-mixing analysis (LSUM). Changes in fractions of endmembers over periods of time were identified and employed to analyze changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The research adopting the V-H-L-S model for classifying land cover and exploring the association of change in impervious surface areas and socio-economic growth over a period of time is limited. In this study, impervious surface estimations for Hong Kong and Shenzhen in 1995, 2005, and 2016 were compared, selecting vegetation, high-albedo, low-albedo, and soil as endmembers. The change rate of the fractions in the four endmembers was calculated to identify changes in land use and land cover during these three specific time periods. The impervious surface was determined to constitute a combination of high-albedo and low-albedo. Moreover, a proportional relationship exists between the increase in impervious surface area, population rate, GDP, and GDP per capita in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. However, there was a difference in the increase in impervious surface area between Hong Kong and Shenzhen due to the different land-use policies in the country’s two systems. Full article
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18 pages, 7277 KiB  
Article
Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Global Flows of People and Goods: Implications on the Dynamics of Urban Systems
by Karim Gazzeh, Ismaila Rimi Abubakar and Emad Hammad
Land 2022, 11(3), 429; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030429 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2893
Abstract
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the flows or spatial mobility of people, goods, and services globally. The present study explored the impact of the pandemic on the global flows of people and goods, and the implications on the dynamics [...] Read more.
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the flows or spatial mobility of people, goods, and services globally. The present study explored the impact of the pandemic on the global flows of people and goods, and the implications on the dynamics of urban systems. The study utilized desktop research methodology to collect relevant literature and secondary data, which were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study found that the restrictive measures imposed during the pandemic severely disrupted the global flows of people and goods. As a result, global movements of people declined by over 40% in 2020 from the 2019 levels. Similarly, the global flows of goods shrunk by at least 10% within the same period. These lockdown-related disruptions have significant implications on how socioeconomic activities are organized and conducted within and between cities, with civil aviation and hospitality sectors the hardest hit. The study concludes that there is a need for resilient urban systems in which cities, people, institutions, and firms can effectively adapt to the impact of the pandemic. Full article
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5 pages, 205 KiB  
Editorial
Landslide Hazard and Environment Risk Assessment
by Enrico Miccadei, Cristiano Carabella and Giorgio Paglia
Land 2022, 11(3), 428; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030428 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2188
Abstract
Landslides are among the most widespread and frequent natural hazards that lead to fatalities, socioeconomic losses, and property damage globally [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landslide Hazard and Environment Risk Assessment)
20 pages, 74789 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Three Ten Meter Land Cover Products in a Drought Region: A Case Study in Northwestern China
by Junmei Kang, Xiaomei Yang, Zhihua Wang, Hongbin Cheng, Jun Wang, Hongtao Tang, Yan Li, Zongpan Bian and Zhuoli Bai
Land 2022, 11(3), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030427 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2550
Abstract
The ecological and natural conditions in drought regions are harsh. Water shortages and land desertification are prominent features of these regions. The land cover in these regions has a large impact on global climate change, as well as on ecological protection and construction. [...] Read more.
The ecological and natural conditions in drought regions are harsh. Water shortages and land desertification are prominent features of these regions. The land cover in these regions has a large impact on global climate change, as well as on ecological protection and construction. To make rational and sustainable use of land resources, it is crucial to quickly grasp the accuracy and spatial distribution differences of multi-source remote sensing land cover products in drought regions. Therefore, taking northwestern China as the study area, in this study, the accuracy and spatial pattern distribution differences of three high-resolution (10 m) land cover products, namely, the Finer Resolution Observation and Monitoring of Global Land Cover (FROM-GLC), European Space Agency (ESA), and Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) products, were compared and analyzed via area composition similarity, spatial pattern consistency, and absolute accuracy assessment for three validation samples. The results show that the FROM-GLC product had the highest overall accuracy, ranging from 53.81% to 73.45%. The ESRI product had the lowest overall accuracy, ranging from 35.90% to 64.16%. The spatial consistencies of the three products were low, accounting for 46.26% of the total area, and they were mostly distributed in a single area (mainly bare land and forest). The low accuracy for grassland, bare land, shrubland, and other vegetation types was the primary reason for the large differences between the three products. Future research should focus on improving the mapping accuracy for these vegetation types. Accuracies for water and cropland of the three products were consistent, and, thus, the FROM-GLC, ESA, and ESRI products can be used as auxiliary data in research related to water resources and cropland resources in drought regions. Full article
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20 pages, 5311 KiB  
Article
Coastal Dunes Geomorphosites to Develop the Geotourism in a Volcanic Subtropical Oceanic Island, Tenerife, Spain
by Néstor Marrero-Rodríguez and Javier Dóniz-Páez
Land 2022, 11(3), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030426 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2736
Abstract
Coastal areas are exposed to high levels of human occupation, which has led to their degradation. Coastal dunes have been greatly altered by different historical and current land uses, causing the loss of their natural and cultural values. On the coast of Tenerife [...] Read more.
Coastal areas are exposed to high levels of human occupation, which has led to their degradation. Coastal dunes have been greatly altered by different historical and current land uses, causing the loss of their natural and cultural values. On the coast of Tenerife there are volcanic and organogenic sand active and relict dunes with multiple land uses, the most prominent of which is tourism (also the main cause of their deterioration). The aim of this study is to demonstrate the relevance of geomorphosites associated to the aeolian depositional systems of Tenerife as volcanic geoheritage through the application of international methodologies used for these evaluations, and to propose geotourism uses that will contribute to their sustainability. In Tenerife there are thirteen aeolian system geomorphosites in which palaeodunes, active dunes and a combination of both have been identified, 53.9% of which are protected. The main historical and current uses are related to grazing, sand mining and tourism. These different land uses have produced the degradation of these landforms, which have induced the loss of some of their scientific and additional values. The average score for the scientific values (0.58) is higher than for the additional values (0.41) in most of the thirteen selected geomorphosites; the values lie in the middle of the range and there is no correlation between the scientific and additional values (R2 = 0.17). The geotourism proposal presented in this study is associate to the volcanic diversity of the coast of Tenerife and should be aimed at both the general public and specialists. The number of visitors should be restricted and sustainable according to the zoning laws for the regulations and use of the protected areas; and it should use the net of authorized paths which already exists in the geomorphosites. To this end, certain facilities will be required to help disseminate and promote the heritage of Tenerife’s dune geomorphosites through panels, websites, apps or QR codes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Heritage: Geomorphology, Geoheritage and Geoparks)
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12 pages, 2549 KiB  
Article
Effect of Cropland Abandonment on Soil Carbon Stock in an Agroforestry System in Southwestern Spain
by Juan Carlos Alías, José Antonio Mejías and Natividad Chaves
Land 2022, 11(3), 425; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030425 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1658
Abstract
The low profitability of agricultural products in a globalized market context is causing the abandonment of less profitable agroforestry systems in Spain. This fact is implicated in a change in land use, increasing the forest area, which could alter the carbon stock in [...] Read more.
The low profitability of agricultural products in a globalized market context is causing the abandonment of less profitable agroforestry systems in Spain. This fact is implicated in a change in land use, increasing the forest area, which could alter the carbon stock in the soil. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if the abandonment of rural areas and the change in land use has an impact on the soil organic carbon stock in agroforestry systems in southwestern Spain. Through historical aerial photographs and current satellite images, sites were identified where samples of abandoned agricultural soils in the 1950s were collected. They were compared with soil samples from adjacent locations whose agricultural activities continue to this day. After more than 60 years, the abandonment of agricultural activity is associated with a 54% increase in C concentration and 34.8% in soil organic carbon in the upper 30 cm of soil profiles. Therefore, the abandonment of agricultural land has influenced the carbon stock of this territory, becoming a carbon sink. Full article
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18 pages, 20908 KiB  
Article
Disturbances Brought about by Human Activities in Relation to the Eco-Environment of the Main Stream of the Tarim River, 2000–2020
by Yabo Zhao, Weiwei Zhang, Cansong Li, Shifa Ma, Xiwen Zhang and Haiyan Jiang
Land 2022, 11(3), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030424 - 15 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4949
Abstract
The main stream of the Tarim River in China is typical of ecologically sensitive areas that have been heavily disturbed by human activities; as such, the monitoring of the quality of its eco-environment constitutes an important task for researchers. By using GlobeLand30 data [...] Read more.
The main stream of the Tarim River in China is typical of ecologically sensitive areas that have been heavily disturbed by human activities; as such, the monitoring of the quality of its eco-environment constitutes an important task for researchers. By using GlobeLand30 data and applying the disturbance degree model and revised ecosystem service value (ESV) model, the study presented in this paper undertook a quantitative estimation of the effects of the disturbance impacts of human activities on the eco-environment of this area in the period of 2000 to 2020. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) disturbance index values, which reflect disturbance to the local ecosystem by human activities, increased over the study period. Further, cultivated land experienced the largest increase, which, in turn, brought about the most significant disturbance to the eco-environment. High disturbance index values presented a patchy distribution in the west of the main stream of the Tarim River and formed bands and dots in the east; the area of land characterized by high and moderate disturbance index values increased, with growth areas taking on a scattered distribution of patches, bands, and dots without significant spatial continuity. (2) The total ESV increased, indicating the quality of the eco-environment improved. The increase of cultivated land offset the increase in ESV, which counteracted the effects of ecological governance measures. Areas with high ESV values were mainly located in the western and central parts of the study area, while low values were found in the middle east and east. Areas with higher increases in ESV were mainly located in the western and the western part of the middle reaches and took on a zonal distribution, while areas of decrease followed a scattered distribution, presenting as dots or patches. Using the quantitative analysis methods and high-resolution remote sensing data to evaluate the changes in the eco-environment was considered as the innovation of this study, and the findings are useful in exploring the influence of human activities on ecosystems and evaluating the eco-environment in the minor watershed of an arid area. This piece of quantitative research contributes to the task of monitoring eco-environmental changes using remote sensing techniques in ecologically sensitive areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Eco-Environmental Effects of Urban Land Use)
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16 pages, 31865 KiB  
Article
Modelling the Impact of Land Cover Changes on Carbon Storage and Sequestration in the Central Zagros Region, Iran Using Ecosystem Services Approach
by Mohsen Japelaghi, Fariba Hajian, Mehdi Gholamalifard, Biswajeet Pradhan, Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud and Hyuck-Jin Park
Land 2022, 11(3), 423; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11030423 - 14 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2778
Abstract
Central Zagros region in Iran is a major hotspot of carbon storage and sequestration which has experienced severe land cover change in recent decades that has led to carbon emission. In this research, using temporal Landsat images, land cover maps were produced and [...] Read more.
Central Zagros region in Iran is a major hotspot of carbon storage and sequestration which has experienced severe land cover change in recent decades that has led to carbon emission. In this research, using temporal Landsat images, land cover maps were produced and used in Land Change Modeler to predict land cover changes in 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 using Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network and Markov Chain techniques. Next, resultant maps were used as inputs to Ecosystem Services Modeler. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report data was used to extract carbon data. Results show that between 1989–2013 about half of forests have been destroyed. Prediction results show that by 2050 about 75% of existing forests will be lost and between 2013–2020 about 157,000 Mg carbon and by 2050 about 565,000 Mg carbon will be lost with more than US$1.9 million to 2020 and AU$3.2 million by 2050 economic compensation. Full article
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