Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 November 2022) | Viewed by 43105

Special Issue Editors

Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: cultural landscape; social–ecological systems; landscape heritage; biocultural diversity; protected areas; nature-based tourism; landscape structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: social-ecological systems; urban–rural gradients; land planning; simulation scenarios; landscape structure; global change; socioeconomic models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, progressive urban expansion related to the increase in the size of cities and human settlements has motivated a growing interest in understanding urban–rural gradients and their associated social-ecological processes. This concept represents a variation gradient of human influence from urban to rural systems that gives rise to different landscape patterns and human development. The gradual transformation of the territory generates systems in transition from traditional rural systems to urban consolidation, through a complex peri-urbanization process which frequently softens the demarcation line between urban and rural areas and makes the urban–rural fringe difficult to identify. This process affects valuable rural cultural landscapes, which are critical at the interface between nature and culture, tangible and intangible heritage, and biological and cultural diversity, and are fundamental to the identity, lifestyle, and well-being of local populations. However, many rural landscapes are at risk of transformation due to the influence of urban development. As corrective measures, land use planning schemes include regulatory strategies based primarily on the establishment of protected area networks, whose socio-ecological effectiveness has sometimes been questioned.

The journal Land presents a Special Issue entitled “Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation”, which is open to researchers interested in this field. Specific topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Urban expansion and biodiversity variation;
  • Edge cities and periurban–rural landscape;
  • Tensions between urban growth and nature conservation;
  • Social-ecological patterns and processes along rural–urban gradients;
  • Social-ecological sustainability at the urban–rural fringe;
  • Transformation and resilience of the urban–rural divide;
  • Protected areas and governance systems related to urban–rural linkages;
  • Implications of urbanization processes on land conservation and rural development;
  • Rural–urban gradients and ecosystem services supply.
Prof. Dr. María Fe Schmitz
Dr. Cecilia Arnaiz-Schmitz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • Gradient approach
  • Rural–urban divide
  • Effectiveness of protected areas
  • Ecosystem services supply
  • Urban expansion
  • Rural cultural landscapes
  • Social-ecological resilience

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 959 KiB  
Article
Local and Landscape Factors Influence Plant-Pollinator Networks and Bee Foraging Behavior across an Urban Corridor
by Gabriella L. Pardee, Kimberly M. Ballare, John L. Neff, Lauren Q. Do, DianaJoyce Ojeda, Elisa J. Bienenstock, Berry J. Brosi, Tony H. Grubesic, Jennifer A. Miller, Daoqin Tong and Shalene Jha
Land 2023, 12(2), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020362 - 29 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2281
Abstract
Given widespread concerns over human-mediated bee declines in abundance and species richness, conservation efforts are increasingly focused on maintaining natural habitats to support bee diversity in otherwise resource-poor environments. However, natural habitat patches can vary in composition, impacting landscape-level heterogeneity and affecting plant-pollinator [...] Read more.
Given widespread concerns over human-mediated bee declines in abundance and species richness, conservation efforts are increasingly focused on maintaining natural habitats to support bee diversity in otherwise resource-poor environments. However, natural habitat patches can vary in composition, impacting landscape-level heterogeneity and affecting plant-pollinator interactions. Plant-pollinator networks, especially those based on pollen loads, can provide valuable insight into mutualistic relationships, such as revealing the degree of pollination specialization in a community; yet, local and landscape drivers of these network indices remain understudied within urbanizing landscapes. Beyond networks, analyzing pollen collection can reveal key information about species-level pollen preferences, providing plant restoration information for urban ecosystems. Through bee collection, vegetation surveys, and pollen load identification across ~350 km of urban habitat, we studied the impact of local and landscape-level management on plant-pollinator networks. We also quantified pollinator preferences for plants within urban grasslands. Bees exhibited higher foraging specialization with increasing habitat heterogeneity and visited fewer flowering species (decreased generality) with increasing semi-natural habitat cover. We also found strong pollinator species-specific flower foraging preferences, particularly for Asteraceae plants. We posit that maintaining native forbs and supporting landscape-level natural habitat cover and heterogeneity can provide pollinators with critical food resources across urbanizing ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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25 pages, 1563 KiB  
Article
Assessing Preferences for Cultural Ecosystem Services in the English Countryside Using Q Methodology
by Marie Hubatova, James McGinlay, David J. Parsons, Joe Morris and Anil R. Graves
Land 2023, 12(2), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12020331 - 26 Jan 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are difficult to assess due to the subjective and diverse way in which they are experienced. This can make it difficult to apply CES research to enhance human experience of nature. This study applies Q methodology to group people [...] Read more.
Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are difficult to assess due to the subjective and diverse way in which they are experienced. This can make it difficult to apply CES research to enhance human experience of nature. This study applies Q methodology to group people according to their preferences for CES. The Q methodology survey was carried out with 47 local residents and tourists in Wiltshire, in South West England. Four groups of respondents were identified drawing value from nature through: (1) spiritual benefits and mental well-being (Group 1—Inspired by nature); (2) nature and biodiversity conservation (Group 1—Conserving nature); (3) cultural heritage in multifunctional landscapes (Group 3—Countryside mix); and (4) opportunities for outdoor activities (Group 4—Outdoor pursuits). All four groups stated that benefits from nature were enhanced by actually visiting the countryside, through a better understanding of nature itself, and through a range of sensory experiences. They particularly identified relaxation opportunities as a very important CES benefit. These findings, and the demonstrated use of the Q methodology, could support local planning and landscape management in order to provide accessible and functional landscapes that can provide a range of different CES benefits to people. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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11 pages, 3543 KiB  
Article
The Precariousness of Walloon Peri-Urban Agricultural Lands
by Serge Schmitz and Lauriano Pepe
Land 2023, 12(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010105 - 29 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1450
Abstract
Given the increasing need for residential and economic development and also for the improvement of the living environment, for food and energy production, we should reflect on the use of agricultural lands. Even if the citizens and the regional government are rediscovering the [...] Read more.
Given the increasing need for residential and economic development and also for the improvement of the living environment, for food and energy production, we should reflect on the use of agricultural lands. Even if the citizens and the regional government are rediscovering the multiple services provided by agricultural lands, we observe that the agricultural landscape in Wallonia (the southern part of Belgium) is in a precarious situation, especially at the edge of the cities. At the same time, the Regional Policy Declaration promotes the development of high-quality and close-proximity food belts, the coexistence of human and economic activities with nature, and the end of new land taken by 2050. Our paper focuses on the precariousness of agricultural lands at the edges of cities and presents a twofold research project to conduct a prospective assessment. First, we surveyed 587 Walloons on their perceptions of agricultural lands and their functions. Secondly, we analysed several case studies next to the main Walloon conurbations. Based on satellite images, agricultural parcel data, field observations, and interviews with stakeholders, we identified the services provided by these agricultural lands and the different pressures that they face. This research improves our understanding of the role(s) played by agriculture within, or at the edge of, cities, underlines the thorny issue of land ownership, and points out the diversity of situations encountered. It recommends handling the issue at multiple decision levels and involving stakeholders to develop a common vision, which considers the numerous services delivered by agricultural lands and gives weight to the decision to protect it or not. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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15 pages, 3053 KiB  
Article
Land Use and Landscape Characteristics Are Associated with Core Forest Patches in Ghana
by Joseph Oduro Appiah, Dina Adei and Williams Agyemang-Duah
Land 2023, 12(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/land12010071 - 26 Dec 2022
Viewed by 1257
Abstract
Land uses and terrain characteristics would likely influence the types and spatial arrangements of forest patches, and generally, forest fragmentation. Whereas prior research has focused mainly on direct land use-induced forest fragmentation, this study models the relationship between the spatial distribution of core [...] Read more.
Land uses and terrain characteristics would likely influence the types and spatial arrangements of forest patches, and generally, forest fragmentation. Whereas prior research has focused mainly on direct land use-induced forest fragmentation, this study models the relationship between the spatial distribution of core forest patches, land uses, and terrain variables. Relying on Landsat images from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (ARFR) in Ghana, we use machine learning geospatial techniques and statistical methods to process satellite images and model the relationship between core forest patches and associated variables. The study finds that a unit reduction in elevation would significantly likely reduce by 0.995 times the possibility of forest patches being core forests, implying that on lower slopes, core forests are less likely to occur. Additionally, we find that a unit increase in slope gradient significantly increases the odds of a forest patch being among the core forest category by 1.35 times. Moreover, our results show that the odds of forest patches being core forests significantly increase by 1.60 and 2.14 times if patches are found beyond 1 km from logging sites and access roads, respectively. This implies that intact forest patches would likely be found on higher slopes, higher elevations, and areas far away from land uses. Based on the results, we suggest that the protection of forest patches should target higher elevations and slopes and most importantly areas far from land uses whereas forest restoration programs should target areas close to land uses and on lower elevations and lower slopes. With this study demonstrating a significant relationship between core forests, land uses and terrain variables, we present important information to land managers for land monitoring and conservation in the ARFR and other tropical forest regions of the world. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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25 pages, 5054 KiB  
Article
Who and Where Are the Observers behind Biodiversity Citizen Science Data? Effect of Landscape Naturalness on the Spatial Distribution of French Birdwatching Records
by Adrien Guetté, Sébastien Caillault, Joséphine Pithon, Guillaume Pain, Hervé Daniel, Benoit Marchadour and Véronique Beaujouan
Land 2022, 11(11), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11112095 - 20 Nov 2022
Viewed by 1983
Abstract
The study of spatial bias in opportunistic data produced by citizen science programs is mainly approached either from a geographical angle (site proximity, accessibility, habitat quality) or from the angle of human behavior and volunteer engagement. In this study we linked both by [...] Read more.
The study of spatial bias in opportunistic data produced by citizen science programs is mainly approached either from a geographical angle (site proximity, accessibility, habitat quality) or from the angle of human behavior and volunteer engagement. In this study we linked both by analyzing the effect of observer profile on spatial distribution of recordings. We hypothesized that observer profile biases spatial distribution of records and that this bias can be explained by landscape naturalness. First, we established observer profiles from analysis of the temporal and spatial distributions of their records as well as record contents. Second, we mapped a naturalness gradient at regional and local scales. Using a dataset of more than 7 million bird records covering a time span of 15 years from the west of France, we defined four types of observer: garden-watchers, beginners, naturalists, and experts. We found that recording intensity could be related to naturalness at regional level; most visited areas were those where naturalness was on average lower i.e., close to population basins and highly accessible due to well-developed road infrastructure. At local level (neighborhood of recording sites), we found that experts and naturalists recorded in areas of higher naturalness index than those of garden-watchers and beginners. These results highlight how records contributed by different types of observer may lead to complementary coverage of different areas of the landscape. Future studies should therefore fully consider observer heterogeneity and how different observer profiles are influenced by local landscape naturalness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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15 pages, 3129 KiB  
Article
Dynamic Changes of Nitrogen Loads in Source–Sink Landscapes under Urbanization
by Yanmin Li, Jianxiong Tang and Shenghui Cui
Land 2022, 11(8), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081371 - 22 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1163
Abstract
The dynamic changes of nitrogen (N) loads have been significantly impacted by the rapid expansion of many cities, potentially escalating the risk of N pollution in cities. However, the spatiotemporal changes of N loads in source and sink landscapes remain unclear in urbanization. [...] Read more.
The dynamic changes of nitrogen (N) loads have been significantly impacted by the rapid expansion of many cities, potentially escalating the risk of N pollution in cities. However, the spatiotemporal changes of N loads in source and sink landscapes remain unclear in urbanization. In this research, we used source–sink landscape theory to identify the source–sink landscape in the process of N flow at the city scale and investigated the spatiotemporal changes of N loads in the source–sink landscape from 2005 to 2015 in Xiamen, a rapidly urbanizing city in southern China. The total N loads of source landscapes increased by 2 times between 2005 and 2015, with an average annual growth of 26%, while the total N loads of sink landscapes climbed gradually, with an average annual increase of 8%, according to our findings. Moreover, in terms of the spatial gradient, the N loads of the source landscape fluctuated downward and reached their peak in the urban center, whereas the N loads of the sink landscape tended to rise and reached their peak outside of the city. Our findings offered a fresh viewpoint on the source–sink landscape in N flows at the city scale and offered useful guidance for N spatial management to support sustainable city development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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18 pages, 987 KiB  
Article
Incomplete Urbanization and the Trans-Local Rural-Urban Gradient in China: From a Perspective of New Economics of Labor Migration
by Ran Liu
Land 2022, 11(2), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11020282 - 13 Feb 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2595
Abstract
The urbanization in China is “incomplete” and the migration of non-hukou migrants is circular, wherein rural migrants often keep their rural land in the home village as a social safety net. The informal housing market is one of the main housing providers [...] Read more.
The urbanization in China is “incomplete” and the migration of non-hukou migrants is circular, wherein rural migrants often keep their rural land in the home village as a social safety net. The informal housing market is one of the main housing providers for migrant workers. Existing studies see informal housing as the migrants’ passive choice under the discriminatory hukou system, while underplaying the migrants’ familial multi-site tenure strategies between village homes and city places. As suggested by New Economics of Labor Migration (NELM), attachment to a place of origin (such as keeping hometown lands), while choosing informal housing at the destination, is a familial utility maximization strategy that can control risks when migrating between locations. Informal housing areas, therefore, become a trans-local rural-urban gradient and semi-urban landscape. We use the 2017 Migrant Dynamics Monitoring Survey data and the binary logistic regression to examine (a) whether hometown landowning is a significant predictor of the migrants’ choosing of a temporary stay in informal settlements in urban destinations, and (b) which kind of hometown land arrangement (farmland or homestead holding or both of them) is the strongest indicator of the higher probability of staying in informal settlements in urban destinations? The data analysis reveals that homestead in hometown is a more prominent pulling factor than farmland to “glue” rural migrants together within an integrated rural land “insurance regime” between the migrant-sending and -receiving places. The land-use and informal housing governance (including urban village demolition) ignore the trans-local nature of the migratory networks and semi-urbanizing dynamics. The traditional analysis of the rural-urban gradient with many landscapes should consider the functional and tenurial linkage between the locations at different points along with the complex migration activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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26 pages, 18084 KiB  
Article
How Did Sheep Save the Day? The Role of Dry Stone Wall Heritage and Agropastorality in Historical Landscape Preservation. A Case-Study of the Town of Cres Olive Grove
by Tanja Kremenić, Goran Andlar and Mauro Varotto
Land 2021, 10(9), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10090978 - 16 Sep 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3285
Abstract
The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is one of the largest well-preserved historical olive groves in the Croatian Adriatic, while simultaneously serving as pasture for sheep. Still, there are currently no studies that [...] Read more.
The dry stone wall landscape surrounding the town of Cres is a unique cultural landscape; it is one of the largest well-preserved historical olive groves in the Croatian Adriatic, while simultaneously serving as pasture for sheep. Still, there are currently no studies that capture this landscape as a multifunctional whole or which acknowledge its relevance within the current multidisciplinary discussions. The aim of this paper is to clarify past and current circumstances surrounding and affecting it. The study focuses on two main pillars of landscape preservation: (1) dry stone wall structures and (2) agro-pastoral practices; giving an overview of its historical formation and current management and trends. The goal is to establish knowledge that can be used as a foundation for the management of this area and present a good practice example for the preservation of historical landscapes in the Mediterranean region. The research involved combined desk and fieldwork: cartographic data analysis, literature analysis, GIS elaboration, terrestrial and aerial photographs and observations, followed by interviews with local informants. Continuous investing in the production of quality olive oil and the evolution of the landscape into a multifunctional agro-pastoral-touristic space is what enabled its preservation. This multifunctionality can only be matched by a diversity of scientific studies and this study aimed at providing the first step—a foundation for the identification of the values of the Cres landscape, with the scope of better precising further planning and management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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22 pages, 9734 KiB  
Article
Application of Suitability Modeling in Establishing a New Bicycle–Pedestrian Path: The Case of the Abandoned Kanfanar–Rovinj Railway in Istria
by Ariana Modesto, Monika Kamenečki and Dora Tomić Reljić
Land 2021, 10(6), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10060600 - 04 Jun 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2344
Abstract
This paper presents research on the conversion of the abandoned Kanfanar–Rovinj railway into a bicycle–pedestrian path, with the aim of including it in the existing network of bicycle–pedestrian paths in the Istria County in Croatia. This would enable better connection of the repurposed [...] Read more.
This paper presents research on the conversion of the abandoned Kanfanar–Rovinj railway into a bicycle–pedestrian path, with the aim of including it in the existing network of bicycle–pedestrian paths in the Istria County in Croatia. This would enable better connection of the repurposed railway corridor with the surrounding natural and cultural values and better use of the spatial potential, which would create more favorable conditions for the revitalization of the wider rural environment. In order to identify the existing potential of the area, as well as the impact of the proposed intervention on critical areas, a method of multicriteria analysis was used. The result of the analysis was a model of the suitability of the space, i.e., five value categories that make the space more or less suitable for accommodating new pedestrian and bicycle paths. In order to emphasize the importance of individual spatial contents in the modeling process, the method of weighted linear combination was used. Finally, the nature of the project and its potential impact on the environment have conditioned the selection of the appropriate aspect of the model and of the space’s suitability, which is further used for locating the new pedestrian and bicycle paths. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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17 pages, 2469 KiB  
Article
Parcel Management and Perceived Ecosystem Services and Disservices in the Exurbs of a Midwestern County in the United States
by Amélie Yvonne Davis, Andrew Freund, Sarah Lynn Dumyahn, Ryan Mendoza, Aura Muniz Torres and Michelle Dawn Boone
Land 2021, 10(5), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10050448 - 23 Apr 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2122
Abstract
Exurban development is a prominent land use in the United States of America, particularly in the Midwest, where much of it occurs on farmland and remnant woodlands. While exurbanization may affect ecosystem services, its impact could be modulated by management decisions made by [...] Read more.
Exurban development is a prominent land use in the United States of America, particularly in the Midwest, where much of it occurs on farmland and remnant woodlands. While exurbanization may affect ecosystem services, its impact could be modulated by management decisions made by residents. We aimed to uncover how exurban residents in a midwestern county perceived ecosystem services and disservices provided by their property based on 26 semi-structured interviews of landowners on parcels between 1 and 20 acres with a pond in unincorporated areas. We found the ecosystem services people associated most with their land are classified as cultural services (dominated by recreation services), while the most common mentioned disservices were classified as regulating disservices. Many ecosystem services that would be categorized as supporting or regulating services were not mentioned by interviewees, including microclimate stabilization, carbon sequestration, disease regulation, and maintenance of genetic diversity. Residents spent an average of 1.4 h/acre each week managing their properties. However, as parcel size and forest cover increased, the residents reported managing less surface area. Our study suggested that residents cultivate landscape features that directly benefit them and view many of the services that benefit regional biodiversity and ecosystem processes as disservices, which, to rectify, may require coordinated landscape-level management or local policies/incentives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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19 pages, 32574 KiB  
Article
Recreational and Nature-Based Tourism as a Cultural Ecosystem Service. Assessment and Mapping in a Rural-Urban Gradient of Central Spain
by Cecilia Arnaiz-Schmitz, Cristina Herrero-Jáuregui and María F. Schmitz
Land 2021, 10(4), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10040343 - 30 Mar 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3330
Abstract
Land management focused from the social-ecological perspective of ecosystem services should consider cultural services in decision-making processes. Nature-based tourism offers a great potential for landscape conservation, local development and the well-being of human populations. However, the subjectivity of recreational ecosystem services has meant [...] Read more.
Land management focused from the social-ecological perspective of ecosystem services should consider cultural services in decision-making processes. Nature-based tourism offers a great potential for landscape conservation, local development and the well-being of human populations. However, the subjectivity of recreational ecosystem services has meant a clear impediment to assessing and mapping them. In this study, an integrated numerical spatial method is developed, which quantifies the supply and demand of recreational ecosystem services and allows mapping their spatial correspondence along a rural-urban gradient. The procedure also allows quantifying the influence of the landscape structure and the presence of protected areas on the degree of coupling between supply of recreational ecosystem services and demand for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism and reveals that protected areas are hotspots of recreational ecosystem services. The results obtained highlight the usefulness of the methodological procedure developed as a tool for sustainable land planning and management from an integrative social-ecological approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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17 pages, 40817 KiB  
Article
Defining the Peri-Urban: A Multidimensional Characterization of Spatio-Temporal Land Use along an Urban–Rural Gradient in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
by Saskia Wolff, Makarius V. Mdemu and Tobia Lakes
Land 2021, 10(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10020177 - 09 Feb 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 6426
Abstract
Highly dynamic peri-urban areas, particularly in the Global South, face many challenges including a lack of infrastructure, ownership conflicts, land degradation, and sustainable food production. This study aims to assess spatial land use characteristics and processes in peri-urban areas using the case of [...] Read more.
Highly dynamic peri-urban areas, particularly in the Global South, face many challenges including a lack of infrastructure, ownership conflicts, land degradation, and sustainable food production. This study aims to assess spatial land use characteristics and processes in peri-urban areas using the case of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A mixed-method approach was applied, consisting of expert interviews and spatial data analysis, on a local scale along an urban–rural gradient. Expert interviews were conducted during a field study and analyzed regarding the characteristics and processes of peri-urban land development. A GIS-based analysis of land use patterns was applied using satellite imagery and Open Street Map data to identify a number of variables, such as building density and proximity to environmental features. Results show specific patterns of land use indicators, which can be decreasing (e.g., house density), increasing (e.g., tree coverage), static (e.g., house size), or randomly distributed (e.g., distance to river), along a peri-urban gradient. Key findings identify lack of service structures and access to public transport as major challenges for the population of peri-urban areas. The combination of qualitative expert interviews and metrics-based quantitative spatial pattern analysis contributes to improved understanding of the patterns and processes in peri-urban land use changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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15 pages, 6873 KiB  
Article
Detection of City Integration Processes in Rapidly Urbanizing Areas Based on Remote Sensing Imagery
by Zihao Zheng, Zhifeng Wu, Yingbiao Chen, Zhiwei Yang and Francesco Marinello
Land 2020, 9(10), 378; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9100378 - 08 Oct 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2768
Abstract
Since China’s reform and development commenced, in the context of rapid urbanization and coordinated regional development, Chinese cities with a close geographic proximity and social ties have gradually formed an integrated city development model. As a new phenomenon in China’s urbanization process, existing [...] Read more.
Since China’s reform and development commenced, in the context of rapid urbanization and coordinated regional development, Chinese cities with a close geographic proximity and social ties have gradually formed an integrated city development model. As a new phenomenon in China’s urbanization process, existing research on China’s integrated cities mainly focuses on typical case studies, and most research has been limited to literature reviews and theoretical analyses. The growing application of remote sensing technology in urbanization research in recent years has provided new opportunities for the analysis of city integration. Therefore, based on multi-spectral Landsat-8 and nighttime light images (SNPP/VIIRS, Suomi National Polar-orbiting Platform/Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite), this paper selects four of the most representative integrated cities with different backgrounds in China to analyze the land-use conversion, plot light fluctuation, and light gravity center shift in the boundary zone between cities. The results show that (1) Guangfo has the highest level of integration and urban expansion is mainly concentrated in the south-central part of the boundary area; (2) Guanshen’s level of integration is second to Guangfo’s and is mainly concentrated in the west; (3) HuSu’s integration is still in the initial stage and its increase in light intensity lags behind the expansion of building land during the study period; (4) although the light intensity and building land area increased significantly during the study period in Xixian, the overall development level of Xixian still lagged behind coastal cities due to the restriction of its geographical location. Our application results expand the data sources for integrated city research and the obtained results can potentially support decision-making and planning in the process of urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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23 pages, 6144 KiB  
Article
Landscape Disturbance Gradients: The Importance of the Type of Scene When Evaluating Landscape Preferences and Perceptions
by Adison Altamirano, Carolina Gonzalez-Suhr, Caroline Marien, Germán Catalán, Alejandro Miranda, Marco Prado, Laurent Tits, Lorena Vieli and Paula Meli
Land 2020, 9(9), 306; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9090306 - 01 Sep 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4998
Abstract
Understanding of people’s landscape preferences is important for decision-making about land planning, particularly in the disturbance patterns that usually occur in rural-urban gradients. However, the use of different types of images concerning the same landscape may influence social preferences and thus perceptions of [...] Read more.
Understanding of people’s landscape preferences is important for decision-making about land planning, particularly in the disturbance patterns that usually occur in rural-urban gradients. However, the use of different types of images concerning the same landscape may influence social preferences and thus perceptions of landscape management and planning decisions. We evaluated landscape preferences and perceptions in four landscapes of southern Chile. We specifically: (1) compared people’s perceptions related to living in, visiting, the scenic beauty, well-being, risks, and level of landscape disturbance; and (2) evaluated the influence of the type of scene (i.e., eye-level or aerial images) in these preferences and perceptions. Preferences and perceptions resulted to be better when using eye-level (4.0 ± 1.1) than aerial (3.7 ± 0.6) images. In general, we observed a negative association between preferences and perceptions and the landscape disturbance; however, it was consistent when using aerial images but was masked when valuing landscape through eye-level images. Implications of these results are relevant because by far, most landscape preference studies use traditional eye-level images. Different types of scenes should be considered in order to embrace the landscape preferences and perceptions of all those involved and help decision-making in landscape planning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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Review

Jump to: Research

12 pages, 948 KiB  
Review
The Citizen Science Paradox
by Benjamin Bergerot
Land 2022, 11(8), 1151; https://doi.org/10.3390/land11081151 - 26 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2105
Abstract
Citizen science (CS) is now very popular in ecology. The number of scientific publications referencing CS has increased steadily over the past 15 years, with more than 1150 publications today. However, the multiplicity of research involved suggests that this number is highly underestimated. [...] Read more.
Citizen science (CS) is now very popular in ecology. The number of scientific publications referencing CS has increased steadily over the past 15 years, with more than 1150 publications today. However, the multiplicity of research involved suggests that this number is highly underestimated. Based on this paradox, a literature review on CS shows that while its formalization in 2009 facilitated its referencing, about 70% of the publications are not referenced using CS as keyword. To understand this under-representation, an analysis of 149 publications related to the famous Christmas Bird Count program shows that this underestimation is not mainly related to the diversity of keywords used to describe CS, but rather to the fact that CS is mainly considered as a method (four publications out of five). The results also show that taking into account the whole text of a publication would represent a substantial improvement for the analysis of scientific databases, whatever the field of research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rural–Urban Gradients: Landscape and Nature Conservation)
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