The Dynamics of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology: Patterns, Processes, and Planning

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Landscape Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2024 | Viewed by 8040

Special Issue Editor

Institute of Landscape Ecology SAS, Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: landscape ecology; assessment of habitats for landscape ecological planning; biodiversity; historical structures of agricultural landscapes; agro-environmental policy; assessment of ecosystem services. biodiversity; ecosystem services; agricultural research

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this Special Issue is to present studies focused on the dynamics of biodiversity and landscape ecological methods for assessing ecosystems, their patterns, processes, condition, and the potential to provide ecosystem services that can be applied in landscape planning. Ecosystem processes are sensitive to changes or declines in biodiversity, therefore, the focus of the study may be to examine the links between functional diversity or ecosystem functions in relation to biodiversity decline or climate change and its mitigation.

Attention should also be paid to the management measures that can contribute to the maintenance of the biodiversity and to the mitigation of climate change, and, thus, to the provision of selected ecosystem services. The study may include evaluation of the current conservation status of habitats, evaluation of landscape changes and elaboration of landscape-ecological proposals for the management of habitats. In addition to the classical approach of biodiversity study, methods of studying the phenology of the Earth's surface using remote sensing can be developed.

Dr. Jana Spulerova
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • land use changes
  • biodiversity loss
  • ecosystem function and services
  • management measures

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 6015 KiB  
Article
Country Perspectives on Hay-Making Landscapes as Part of the European Agricultural Heritage
by Alexandra Kruse, Jana Špulerova, Csaba Centeri, Sebastian Eiter, Viviana Ferrario, Suzan Jurgens, Drago Kladnik, Zdeněk Kučera, Teodor Marusca, Dragomir Neculai, Hans Renes, Hanne Sickel, Maurizia Sigura, Martina Slámová, Kari Stensgaard and Peter Strasser
Land 2023, 12(9), 1694; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091694 - 29 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1343
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of traditional hay-making structures and the related agricultural landscapes in Europe. The information was collected using a standardised questionnaire that was completed by experts from different countries. What all countries had in common was that hay production with [...] Read more.
This paper provides an overview of traditional hay-making structures and the related agricultural landscapes in Europe. The information was collected using a standardised questionnaire that was completed by experts from different countries. What all countries had in common was that hay production with its corresponding structures was widespread. However, the scope and importance differed among the countries today. We found differences in type and extent, in degree of awareness, and in the cultural meaning of hay-making structures. The differences were connected with built structures, as well as with other tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The distribution of the broad variety of hay-making-related structures, especially semipermanent ones, has changed throughout history, as well as the hay-making techniques, as a result of agrarian specialisation, land reclamation, and consolidation. Today, in some countries, the relevance of hay-making was mainly connected to horse keeping and landscape management (like in Germany and Hungary), while in others (like Slovakia and Slovenia), it was still predominantly used for cattle and sheep. Full article
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13 pages, 8472 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Past Human Activities on the Current State of Vegetation in Historical Settlements of a Wine-Growing Cultural Landscape (Svätý Jur, Slovakia)
by Natália Hurajtová, Veronika Piscová, Petra Gašparovičová and Michal Ševčík
Land 2023, 12(9), 1690; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091690 - 29 Aug 2023
Viewed by 556
Abstract
The aim of our study is to reconstruct the human influence on the current vegetation in selected parts of the cadastral territory of Svätý Jur. Svätý Jur is a town with more than 700 years of winemaking tradition, located on the oak-hornbeam-forested slopes [...] Read more.
The aim of our study is to reconstruct the human influence on the current vegetation in selected parts of the cadastral territory of Svätý Jur. Svätý Jur is a town with more than 700 years of winemaking tradition, located on the oak-hornbeam-forested slopes of the Little Carpathians and surrounded by terraced vineyards. Human activity has changed the natural landscape of Svätý Jur since the Neolithic period. It is possible to trace the influence of past human activities on current vegetation by mapping vegetation onto historical landscape structures. For our research, we chose two study sites—Biely Kameň Castle and Hillfort Neštich. Our research has shown that there are significant differences in plant communities as well as in their environmental requirements between the investigated sites. Nitrophilous species indicative of human activities were recorded at both sites. At Hillfort Neštich, we recorded the occurrence of an interesting combination of species of Atropa, Phytolacca and Rubus. We have recorded their current occurrence and searched for its causes. In addition, we evaluate the current state of the vegetation of the castle and the hillfort in relation to the human past and today’s use. Full article
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28 pages, 16685 KiB  
Article
Quantitative Assessment of Geodiversity for Conservation Purposes in Slovenské rudohorie Mountains (Slovakia)
by Mária Barančoková, Daniela Hutárová and Maroš Nikolaj
Land 2023, 12(9), 1650; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12091650 - 23 Aug 2023
Viewed by 717
Abstract
A geodiversity assessment is one of the basic steps in the development of geoprotection activities. It is important to establish parameters that quantify the elements and locations of abiotic nature. Here, the focus is on those who are richer than the average population. [...] Read more.
A geodiversity assessment is one of the basic steps in the development of geoprotection activities. It is important to establish parameters that quantify the elements and locations of abiotic nature. Here, the focus is on those who are richer than the average population. In doing so, it is possible to manage areas for the protection of important geoheritage and develop sustainable activities, e.g., geotourism. The monitored territory (Slovenské rudohorie Mts.) lies in southeast Slovakia and occupies an area of 4986 km2. The geodiversity assessment is based on overlaying a grid onto different maps at a scale of 1:500,000, where the final geodiversity index is the sum of six indices calculated in 5 × 5 km grid squares. These indices consist of a geological index, a geomorphological index (composed of two sub-indices: geomorphological subdivision and morphological–morphometric types), a hydrological index (composed of three sub-indices: the type of aquifer, the density of the river network, and the occurrence of springs and mineral waters), a soil index, a tectonic index, and a mineral resources index (composed of four sub-indices: the occurrence of ore, non-ore, construction, and energy resources). The resulting geodiversity index map is presented in the form of five isoline classes: very high (10% of the monitored area), high (28%), medium (32%), low (23%), and very low (7%). The geodiversity map of the territory of the Slovenské rudohorie Mts., together with the indices, creates a useful tool for conservation, management, sustainability programs, and education at the national level. However, Slovak legislation does not mention the concept of geodiversity, its protection, valuation, restoration, or responsible usage. Only its specific forms and processes are preserved as a natural resource supporting biodiversity. Considering the mineralogical richness of the area, some locations with a very high geodiversity may be the focus of mineral exploration. It is very important to set up appropriate landscape management for these sites. Valuable geotopes located in biodiversity cold spots that are not subject to protection within the state’s nature protection program should be considered as small protected areas (up to 1000 ha) at the fourth or fifth level of protection under Act No. 543/2002 Coll. or could form the core areas of a possible Geopark. Full article
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20 pages, 22399 KiB  
Article
Spatiotemporal Variation in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration from 1980 to 2020 and Future Trends in Ecosystem Services
by Yongzheng Wang, Xinchen Gu and Haoran Yu
Land 2023, 12(4), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040929 - 21 Apr 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1539
Abstract
Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, human activities in the Yangtze River Delta region have caused major changes in land use patterns and ecosystem functions. Clarifying the spatiotemporal change characteristics and future development trends of ecosystem service functions is [...] Read more.
Over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, human activities in the Yangtze River Delta region have caused major changes in land use patterns and ecosystem functions. Clarifying the spatiotemporal change characteristics and future development trends of ecosystem service functions is the basis for rational land development and utilization. In this study, the InVEST model and the CASA model were used to calculate habitat quality, water conservation, carbon sequestration and oxygen release, and soil conservation ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration from 1980 to 2020. The spatial pattern, change law, and future trend of these services were analyzed using the Theil–Sen median trend analysis, Mann–Kendall test, and Hurst index analysis. The results show that the four types of ecosystems in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (habitat quality, water conservation, carbon sequestration and oxygen release, and soil conservation) exhibited an overall spatial pattern of being high in the southwest mountainous area and low in the northeast plain, and the conversion from constructed to agriculture was the most frequent type of land conversion over the past 40 years. From 1980 to 2020, the average level of habitat quality showed a downward trend and is expected to continue to deteriorate in the future. Water conservation, carbon sequestration and oxygen release, and soil conservation showed a fluctuating upward trend, with the latter two primarily predicted to have a future trend of improvement. The changes in ecosystem services exhibit gradient effects and horizontal spatial differentiation. The decline in ecosystem service functions is more pronounced in the vicinity of large cities. It is thus necessary to accelerate the transformation of the economic development model, and abandon the extensive urbanization development model, and promote high-quality urbanization development on the basis of improving resource and environmental carrying capacities. Full article
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25 pages, 5204 KiB  
Article
Coupling Relationship between Rural Settlement Patterns and Landscape Fragmentation in Woodlands and Biological Reserves—A Case of Nanshan National Park
by Bo Li, Hao Ouyang, Tong Wang and Tian Dong
Land 2023, 12(4), 741; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12040741 - 25 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1610
Abstract
Exploring the influence of settlement patterns on the landscape fragmentation in woodlands and biological reserves is key to achieving ecologically sustainable development. In this research, we chose the Nanshan National Park in Hunan Province, China, as a case study, to explore the influence [...] Read more.
Exploring the influence of settlement patterns on the landscape fragmentation in woodlands and biological reserves is key to achieving ecologically sustainable development. In this research, we chose the Nanshan National Park in Hunan Province, China, as a case study, to explore the influence mechanisms. First, we identified the biological reserves through the landscape security patterns of biological conservation. Second, we constructed a coupling coordination model to analyze the coupling relationship between the settlement patterns and landscape fragmentation in the woodlands and biological reserves. The analysis showed that, overall, the effect of the settlement area on the landscape fragmentation in the biological reserves was more pronounced, while the effect of the settlement spread and shape on the landscape fragmentation in the woodlands was more obvious. From a type-specific perspective, we analyzed the coupling relationship between the settlement patterns and (1) the landscape fragmentation in different woodlands and (2) the landscape fragmentation in the biological reserves, namely concerning Leiothrix lutea and Emberiza aureola. We found that the effect of the settlement patterns on the landscape fragmentation of the Leiothrix lutea biological reserve was more significant than that of the landscape fragmentation of its main habitat, the evergreen broad-leaved forest. The effect of settlement patterns on the landscape fragmentation of the Emberiza aureola biological reserve was more significant than that of the landscape fragmentation of its other habitats. In addition, the results demonstrated that the habitat protection of the woodlands was not a substitute for the systematic protection of biosecurity patterns. This research could assist in developing more efficient conservation measures for ecologically protected sites with rural settlements. Full article
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Review

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19 pages, 1486 KiB  
Review
The Contribution of Scientists to the Research in Biosphere Reserves in Slovakia
by Jana Špulerová, Veronika Piscová and Noemi Matušicová
Land 2023, 12(3), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030537 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1661
Abstract
This review is aimed at summarizing the current state of knowledge of biosphere reserves (BRs) in Slovakia and assessment of research activities undertaken there and how they contribute to the mission and fulfillment of the goals of the designation process to the World [...] Read more.
This review is aimed at summarizing the current state of knowledge of biosphere reserves (BRs) in Slovakia and assessment of research activities undertaken there and how they contribute to the mission and fulfillment of the goals of the designation process to the World Network of BRs. We based our methodological approach on the literature review of the studies found in the scientific database Web of Science through keyword searches. The 121 studies were characterized by research subject, BR function examined, and contribution to the development of which particular aspect of BR. Most of the studies focused on biodiversity protection, management of BR, land use changes, and scenario modeling. The strengths of BR in Slovakia are a long history and continuity of research, close cooperation with some scientists and institutions, case studies of BR included in international projects, existing examples of participatory studies, and a wide range of research topics. An important contribution to research is that provided by existing long-term monitoring sites. The transboundary BRs in particular are involved in developing international collaborations within the World Network of BRs. We summarized the results of the literature review and gave a scientist’s perception of the development of BR in a SWOT analysis, including recommendations for further development in the form of a discussion of opportunities and threats. Full article
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