Assessment of wetland fragmentation in the Tarim River basin, western China

The wetlands in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River are a rich area of biodiversity and natural resources in the inland arid region of China. However, this wetland area has decreased in size during the past several decades. Water quality and biodiversity has declined due to expanded agricultural activities since 1960s. Using remote sensing (RS), geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS) techniques, we investigated the dynamics, spatial patterns and fragmentation of the wetlands in the middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River from 1980 to 2000. We found that the total area of the wetlands was reduced by 45.8% and the density of the patches increased four times from 1980 to 1990. From 1990 to 2000, though the total area of the wetlands slightly increased the number of the patches increased three times and the density of the patches doubled. Based on the analyses of transition matrixes, diversity and fragmentation indexes, and spatial distribution alternation of the wetlands, we found the landscape diversity and fragmentation indices increased while wetland dominance index decreased dramatically. Among the wetland types, the areas of the river-channel, reservoir and pond wetlands increased while the areas of the lake and marsh wetlands decreased continuously.     

Statistical analysis of soil variability in a humid forest landscape of Central Cameroon

The quantitative evaluation of key factors of soil variability together with the spatial pattern of underlying variables are important steps in understanding the functioning of soilscapes. Fifteen physical and chemical variables describing 24 pedons were used to elucidate processes of soil differentiation in a humid forest environment in Southern Cameroon. Landscape positions delineated on the basis of remote-sensed imageries included flat convex summits (FCS), linear valley slopes (LVS), colluvial inland valleys (CIV), and alluvial floodplain. Ordination by principal component analysis (PCA) resulted in a three-factor model, which efficiently summarized the dataset explaining 81.4% of total soil variance (TSV). The pedogenetic factor of ferralitization emerged as the main factor accounting for 43.7% of TSV. Identified underlying processes included basic cation leaching, solum acidification, and in situ clay build up. Cation exchange properties as influenced by organic constituents and soil available P were the second and third most important factors associated with 26.7 and 11.4% of TSV respectively. Organic constituents and related biological processes had strong control on nutrient availability and cation-exchange properties, while soil available phosphorus (AP) showed a strong dependence on potential acidity and organic matter mineralization status. The analysis of variance highlighted significant differences for most soil properties across landscape position and soil depth except for organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus. All the soils, however, have low pH, low basic cation saturation, and correlatively high exchangeable Al irrespective of their position in the landscape.     

面向对象的配电GIS系统空间数据模型与组织

GIS在配网自动化系统中的应用越来越深入和广泛,随着配电网络各种设备的复杂性提高,传统的分析设计方式已很难满足现有配电网络的飞速发展。面向对象的分析与设计方法作为一种先进的系统设计方法,能很好地应用于规模较大、层次较复杂的配电网络设备管理。首先简要介绍配电网络的特点和面向对象的分析方法,然后结合面向对象的分析与设计方法对配电网络的对象模型和数据组织进行了详细阐述和分析,最后以一个应用系统作为实例结束本文。     

Do free-ranging domestic goats show ‘landscapes of fear’? Patch use in response to habitat features and predator cues

One factor that influences foraging is predation risk. As a result, herbivores may not use landscapes uniformly due to spatial differences in perceived predation risk. Wild herbivores forage across these ‘landscapes of fear’; however, the extent to which domestic herbivores consider them is generally unknown. Using a grid of artificial food patches and measuring giving up densities (GUDs), we mapped landscapes of fear of free-ranging domestic goats on three substrates. In the first experiment, we related GUDs to landscape variables. Goats preferred feeding in open ground with firm substrate compared to a sandy riverbed or a rocky hillside. We suggest that differences relate to escape potential and the occurrence of ambush sites. Landscape variables that influenced feeding effort were patch visibility and plants next to a patch. In a second experiment, we increased predation risk by adding predator dung and urine into the habitats. In response, feeding effort declined across all three habitats. Furthermore, goats only responded to patch visibility and not plants next to the patches. Better sightlines increase predator detection and allow individuals to see group members. Our results indicate that predation risk influences the extent to which free-ranging domestic herbivores utilise landscapes.     

Land-cover and land-use change in a Mediterranean landscape: A spatial analysis of driving forces integrating biophysical and human factors

This article develops a spatial analysis applied to examine the main driving forces of land-cover and land-use (LCLU) change in a Mediterranean region. Three different tools have been used in order to differentiate LCLU changes, driving forces and landscape dynamics. LCLU changes have been quantified with remote sensing techniques, driving forces have been analysed with multiple logistic regressions combining biophysical and human variables, whereas landscape dynamics have been quantified using different metrics. Results show the intensification of subsidised herbaceous crops on the coastal agricultural plain, the abandonment of olive trees and vineyards in the transitional area and forest restoration in the mountainous subregion.     

Identification of geologic contrasts from landscape dissection pattern: An application to the Cascade Range, Oregon, USA

This paper demonstrates the plausibility of inferring the spatial variability of geology from topographically derived landscape dissection patterns. This enables surveying large regions for spatial variability in geology, for which direct remote sensing is not feasible, by studying variability in dissection pattern, a feature extracted straight off from digital elevation model data. Dissection pattern is obtained automatically by a novel algorithm, especially designed to delineate the valleys with high accuracy in order to reflect spatial variability in dissection density. The dissection pattern is encapsulated by a continuous map of drainage density, a raster variable best suited for showing spatial variability of dissection. Such a map, constructed for the study area in the Cascade Range, Oregon, USA, shows a sharp discontinuity in the dissection pattern, indicating change in underlying geology. Possible factors controlling the dissection pattern such as climate, local and regional slopes, vegetation, and geology are examined, and geology has been found to be the dominant controlling factor. The dissection contrast coincides with the boundary between the Western and High Cascades, two geologic provinces with different rock ages and types. The older and less permeable Western Cascades are associated with denser dissection pattern, whereas the younger and more permeable High Cascades correspond to less dissected pattern. This new mapping method can be applied to locations where topography is the only readily available data, and the generated map could be used to extract previously unknown geologic or environmental information.     

A conceptual model to integrate the regional context in landscape policy,management and contribution to rural development: Literature review and European case study evidence

Agri-environmental policies and planning influence agricultural landscape management, and thus the capacity to deliver landscape services and to contribute to rural viability. Numerous models and frameworks have been developed to improve comprehension of the mechanisms and interrelationships between policies, landscape and socio-economic values and benefits. As social-ecological systems, landscapes are closely depending from the socio-institutional and territorial context of the specific rural locality. The paper proposes an enhanced framework for assessing these mechanisms by acknowledging the critical role of the regional macro-environment. A literature review and the revisiting of evidence from eight European case studies are applied to establish a comprehensive understanding and exemplification of the links between the policies, landscape, ecosystem services and value flows. Results highlight the need for integrative, inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches. Efficient landscape policies require enhanced regional embeddedness and targeting, acknowledgement of user demands and the capability of regional community and governance structures for policy implementation and natural capital valorisation.     

Assessing the natural component of the external load due to organic matter and biogenic elements on the water bodies in Northwestern Russia

We suggest the method to calculate the natural component of the external loads due to organic matter and biogenic elements on the unexplored lakes using the removal rate moduli for these elements, and indices of the lakes’ specific catchments. The schematic map has been generated for the distribution of natural moduli of removal on the catchment of the Gulf of Finland. We calculated the external natural loads for 94 lakes in landscapes with a high percentage of lakes.     

山东省损毁山体景观影响度分析

损毁山体严重影响城市和交通沿线景观,景观影响度可作为一个综合指标来反映损毁山体对城市景观的影响程度。应用专家评分综合评判法结合地理信息系统确定景观影响度分级标准,对损毁山体进行景观影响程度的评价与分析,得出景观影响度分类结果,为损毁山体的治理规划和有序整治提供科学依据。