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Land
Special Issues
Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation
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Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Land, Biodiversity, and Human Wellbeing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 13787

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Javier Velázquez Saornil

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environment and Agroforestry, Universidad Católica de Ávila, Calle de los Canteros, S/N, 05005 Ávila, Spain
Interests: biodiversity and conservation; connectivity; GIS; land use and environmental planning; remote sensing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ana Hernando

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Projects and Rural Planning, Technical University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: conservation; sustainability; biodiversity; environment; environmental impact assessment; sustainable development; conservation biology; environmental analysis; environmental management; ecosystem ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite decades of increasing regulations and a growing number and surface of protected areas, major population declines still occur. The dynamic nature of ecosystems and biological populations require an integrated approach in which species protection is broadened to include the intersection areas where nature co-occurs with human activities. This is of particular importance in the context of rapid land use changes and climate change, which affect the suitability of historical environments to plants and animals alike and limit the connectivity between regions.

Conservation ecology and environmental policy have provided many advances in landscape management for biodiversity protection. Theoretical frameworks and guidelines implemented for different scenarios and regions have helped to understand the major causes that drive habitat destruction and population declines as well as landscape management solutions that may prevent such problems. The application of such measures is, however, controversial due to the conflicting viewpoints of conservation biologists, policy makers and different stakeholders. For example, passive drivers of biodiversity decline include the activities and land use transformation that indirectly affect biodiversity, such as pollution, habitat fragmentation or infrastructure and road density, that come with human settlements and development. In addition, active efforts to eliminate species also exist. Such species are negatively perceived by several stakeholders because they directly affect their economic activities. Consequently, pesticides and herbicides may be applied to fight undesirable diversity and some species, as predators, can be the target of selective eradication due to their attacks on cattle.

This Special Issue aims to describe and understand conflicts and solutions in the application of landscape management measures and policies towards biodiversity conservation. Researchers from diverse fields, including theoretical ecology, landscape management, policy, and sociology, are invited to submit papers that respond to the issues raised by this Special Issue.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • Land system science and social-ecological system research;
  • Land use and land cover change;
  • Land-related issues in ecology, environmental/geosciences, social, economic (sustainability) sciences and biodiversity research;
  • Land-related aspects of nature and biodiversity governance;
  • Land-related aspects of biodiversity and health;
  • Land-related aspects of human-wildlife interactions, including synergies and conflicts;
  • Land management, including the application of ecosystem services, multifunctionality or other concepts;
  • Land-related aspects of achieving the UN Sustainability Goals;
  • Landscape and territorial planning, conservation and management;

We look forward to receiving your contributions. 

Dr. Javier Velázquez Saornil
Dr. Ana Hernando
Guest Editors

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

  • biodiversity conservation
  • biodiversity and health nexus
  • connectivity
  • environmental impact
  • environmental restoration
  • human-biodiversity conflict resolution
  • land use management
  • landscape ecology
  • rural areas
  • rewilding

Published Papers (7 papers)

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11 pages, 1238 KiB  
Communication
Challenges to Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
by Qingyang Li, Yingxue Ge and Jeffrey A. Sayer
Land 2023, 12(12), 2166; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122166 - 14 Dec 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1919
Abstract
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has been a pivotal international instrument for global biodiversity conservation since 1992. The recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to provide a pathway for the CBD for the present decade. However, the practicalities of land use [...] Read more.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has been a pivotal international instrument for global biodiversity conservation since 1992. The recent Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to provide a pathway for the CBD for the present decade. However, the practicalities of land use and biodiversity conservation pose significant challenges. Drawing from diverse literature and reports, we identify nine implementation challenges for the GBF. These encompass harmonising conservation with sustainable development, integrating local values and indigenous knowledge, adopting a holistic landscape approach, and prioritising effective local governance. A shift from broad targets to explicit conservation metrics is vital. We propose strategies emphasising building institutional capacity for localised, participatory conservation and policy-making processes. This article offers suggestions for improving the GBF’s implementation and shaping future policy frameworks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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19 pages, 1736 KiB  
Article
Socioecological Dynamics and Forest-Dependent Communities’ Wellbeing: The Case of Yasuní National Park, Ecuador
by Isabel Dominguez-Gaibor, Nicolae Talpă, Maria Cristina Bularca, Aureliu Florin Hălălișan, Claudiu Coman and Bogdan Popa
Land 2023, 12(12), 2141; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12122141 - 07 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1341
Abstract
Protected areas are considered the backbone of biodiversity conservation, but their management often fails because local people are not involved, and their needs are ignored. A socioecological approach has been demonstrated to be effective in improving the relationship between conservation efforts and human [...] Read more.
Protected areas are considered the backbone of biodiversity conservation, but their management often fails because local people are not involved, and their needs are ignored. A socioecological approach has been demonstrated to be effective in improving the relationship between conservation efforts and human wellbeing through a better understanding of the interdependence between nature and people. This relationship can be observed through the case of the Kichwa indigenous communities within Yasuní National Park, Ecuador, as they have retained a very close relationship with forest ecosystems. Using key respondent interviews, along with semi-structured interviews and focus groups, this research describes the complex relationship between changing forest ecosystems and human wellbeing. The results highlight food, health, and cultural identity as the most important benefits that communities obtain from forests. The research also sheds light on how people in the investigated area perceive the dynamics of socioecological systems, indicating petroleum, infrastructure development, and small-scale agriculture as the most important direct drivers and land governance and the presence of colonists as the most important indirect drivers of changes to forest ecosystems. This paper demonstrates the importance of monitoring socioecological systems and adapting management to balance complex economic, social, and ecological challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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13 pages, 3707 KiB  
Article
Protection of Farms from Wolf Predation: A Field Approach
by Elena Guadagno, Andrea Gallizia, Livio Galosi, Martina Quagliardi, Alessio Angorini, Francesca Trenta, Matteo Ferretti, Giampaolo Pennacchioni, Alessandra Roncarati and Federico Morandi
Land 2023, 12(7), 1316; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12071316 - 30 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1640
Abstract
The livestock sector is facing serious challenges in combatting the increasing predation of domestic livestock. In this scenario, wild carnivores, especially wolves, represent key predators. To allow the coexistence of wild and domestic animals, defense methodologies consisting of multiple integrated antipredator strategies must [...] Read more.
The livestock sector is facing serious challenges in combatting the increasing predation of domestic livestock. In this scenario, wild carnivores, especially wolves, represent key predators. To allow the coexistence of wild and domestic animals, defense methodologies consisting of multiple integrated antipredator strategies must be tested and implemented based on the geographical management context of each farm. This study investigated the potential of a novel antipredator method (PAN, Project Farmers-Nature in Italian) in protecting livestock (goats and horses) from wolves on a farm located in the Sibillini Mountains National Park, over a three-month period (June–September 2022). The PAN field approach involved two phases: (1) interviews with farmers and inspections of how the farm and pasture are structured and (2) monitoring predator abundance using camera traps and transects in order to understand the wildlife habits. Information on predator movement around the grazing area was shared with the farmer, who was actively involved in implementing strategies to protect livestock. The stable presence of one pair of wolves was confirmed in the grazing area, placing grazing livestock at risk. The farmer was advised to strengthen the existing antipredator strategy (herd protection dogs) by introducing two trained Maremma-Abruzzese sheepdog puppies to protect his animals. The implemented actions demonstrate how professional experts can serve as a strategic intermediary between livestock and wildlife conservation in the management of the current conflicts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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25 pages, 5107 KiB  
Article
Influence of Landscape Characteristics on Wind Dispersal Efficiency of Calotropis procera
by Enock O. Menge and Michael J. Lawes
Land 2023, 12(3), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12030549 - 24 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1402
Abstract
Rubber bush (Calotropis procera), a perennial invasive milkweed, infests large swathes of pastoral land in northern Australia and Queensland, diminishing pasture productivity. The seeds of rubber are small with fluffy pappi that confer buoyancy during wind dispersal. Long-distance seed dispersal (LDD) by [...] Read more.
Rubber bush (Calotropis procera), a perennial invasive milkweed, infests large swathes of pastoral land in northern Australia and Queensland, diminishing pasture productivity. The seeds of rubber are small with fluffy pappi that confer buoyancy during wind dispersal. Long-distance seed dispersal (LDD) by wind is dependent in part on seed terminal velocity, the height of release above the ground, the surrounding vegetation, and wind parameters such as speed and vertical turbulence. Using empirical dispersal data, spatial population distribution, and historical knowledge of three experimental sites, we examine how seed traits can interact with environmental features to promote dispersal. We expected naturalised rubber bush populations to have the following: (1) higher spatial autocorrelation on open plains where dispersal distances are maximised compared to hilly habitats or those with tall vegetation; (2) southeast to northwest directional bias aligned to prevailing winds; and (3) patchy satellite populations ahead of an infilled continuous main front. Seed dispersal kernels were estimated by releasing seeds from dehiscent fruit for four periods of ten minutes each at three locations from a fixed height while monitoring wind speed. Five alternative models were fitted to the seed dispersal data, of which the log-logistic (Kolgomorov–Smirnov test p = 0.9998), 3-parameter Weibull model (K-S p = 0.9992), and Weibull model (K-S p = 0.9956) provided the best fit in that order. Stem size distribution was similar at the leading edges of populations at all sites (F10, 395 = 1.54; p = 0.12). The exponential semivariogram model of the level of spatial autocorrelation was the best fit and was adopted for all sites (Tennant Creek (TC), Helen Springs (HS) and Muckaty (MU) sites (R2 = 63.8%, 70.3%, and 93.7%, respectively). Spatial autocorrelation along the predicted southeast-to-northwest bearing was evident at all sites (TC kriging range = 236 m; HS = 738 m and MU = 1779.8 m). Seed dispersal distance was bimodal and dependent on prevailing wind conditions, with short distance dispersal (SDD) up to 55 m, while the furthest propagules were 1.8 km downwind in open environments. Dispersal directions and distances were pronounced on plains with short or no vegetation, compared to hilly locations or areas with tall vegetation. In designing management strategies, it should be noted that invasion risk is greater in frequently disturbed open landscapes, such as pastoral landscapes in Northern Australia. Infestations on open xeric grassland plains with shrubby vegetation should be a priority for rubber bush control to maintain high levels of productivity in beef production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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15 pages, 3300 KiB  
Article
Spatial Variability of Forest Species: Case Study for Alto Alentejo, Portugal
by Ana Margarida Coelho, Adélia M. O. Sousa and Ana Cristina Gonçalves
Land 2023, 12(1), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010046 - 23 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1371
Abstract
Landscape evaluation and monitoring enable us to understand the interactions between its components and the effects of disturbances (whether they are natural or artificial) in its dynamics. Forests have a wide variability and diversity, and their analysis at the landscape level allows us [...] Read more.
Landscape evaluation and monitoring enable us to understand the interactions between its components and the effects of disturbances (whether they are natural or artificial) in its dynamics. Forests have a wide variability and diversity, and their analysis at the landscape level allows us to evaluate its spatial distribution pattern. This study focused on the analysis of the landscape spatial variability of forest species with data derived from remote sensing and landscape metrics of a case study in Alto Alentejo, Portugal. Sentinel-2 satellite images were used to produce a land use and land cover map with a random forest classification algorithm, where the bands, vegetation and texture indices were the explanatory variables. The obtained land use/cover map has classified five forest classes and one non-forest class. The map was used to evaluate the diversity with eleven composition and configuration landscape diversity metrics for Alto Alentejo and for four sub-regions delimited according to their edaphic-climatic characteristics. The results showed that the land use/cover map had a good precision (a global precision of 89% and a kappa of 86%) and that both Alto Alentejo and its sub-regions had high forest diversity both in composition and configuration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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20 pages, 8239 KiB  
Article
Response of an Invasive Plant Species (Cynanchum acutum L.) to Changing Climate Conditions and Its Impact on Agricultural Landscapes
by Buse Ar, Gamze Tuttu, Derya Gülçin, Ali Uğur Özcan, Emre Kara, Mustafa Sürmen, Kerim Çiçek and Javier Velázquez
Land 2022, 11(9), 1438; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11091438 - 31 Aug 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2117
Abstract
Forecasting the distribution patterns of invasive weed species under changing climate conditions is critical for the early identification of especially vulnerable regions and the implementation of effective preventive measures. In this study, the current and potential range of stranglewort (Cynanchum acutum L.)—an [...] Read more.
Forecasting the distribution patterns of invasive weed species under changing climate conditions is critical for the early identification of especially vulnerable regions and the implementation of effective preventive measures. In this study, the current and potential range of stranglewort (Cynanchum acutum L.)—an invasive alien species (IAS) in certain regions—are predicted under various climate scenarios, using the maximum entropy algorithm. Species occurrence data representing the natural distribution of C. acutum and 15 of the WorldClim bioclimatic variables are used. With an ensemble method, the impact of climate change on the distribution of the species is predicted according to five CMIP6 climate change models and three scenarios (optimistic: SSP245; middle of the road: SSP370; and pessimistic: SSP585). According to the findings, it is predicted in all scenarios that C. acutum could expand its range to the north, particularly in agricultural landscapes. Therefore, the invasive status of this species will likely continue in the future. This emphasizes the need to determine the priority of conservation targets, especially for agricultural areas, to ensure food safety and protect biodiversity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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19 pages, 843 KiB  
Opinion
The Boar War: Five Hot Factors Unleashing Boar Expansion and Related Emergency
by Domenico Fulgione and Maria Buglione
Land 2022, 11(6), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11060887 - 11 Jun 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2983
Abstract
The recent and ever-growing problem of boar (Sus scrofa forms including wild boar, hybrid and feral pig) expansion is a very complex issue in wildlife management. The damages caused to biodiversity and the economies are addressed in different ways by the various [...] Read more.
The recent and ever-growing problem of boar (Sus scrofa forms including wild boar, hybrid and feral pig) expansion is a very complex issue in wildlife management. The damages caused to biodiversity and the economies are addressed in different ways by the various countries, but research is needed to shed light on the causal factors of this emergency before defining a useful collaborative management policy. In this review, we screened more than 280 references published between 1975–2022, identifying and dealing with five hot factors (climate change, human induced habitat modifications, predator regulation on the prey, hybridization with domestic forms, and transfaunation) that could account for the boar expansion and its niche invasion. We also discuss some issues arising from this boar emergency, such as epizootic and zoonotic diseases or the depression of biodiversity. Finally, we provide new insights for the research and the development of management policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Principles and Conflicts in Landscape Management for Biodiversity Conservation)
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