Interpretation of landscape values, typology and quality using methods of spatial metrics for ecological planning
Résumé
1. Introduction: research problem This research focuses on landscapes studies with selected research area located in central Slovakia, Sitno area. The research purpose is to perform spatial analysis of the landscapes and patches within the landscapes, in order to assess, which parts of the selected study area have the highest environmental quality and value, for further environmental monitoring and management. This paper presents quantitative ecological assessment of the landscapes within the natural protected area located in Slovakia, central Europe. It contributes to the sustainable development and environmental management of the environmentally protected zones. The study area of Sitno Natura 2000 Sites is located in Slovakia, central Europe. This area belongs to the pan-European Natura 2000 network of ecologically protected areas. Natura 2000 sites are defined as pan-European reserved nature zones, which meet the requirements of high environmental criteria and belong to natural heritage of Europe. These landscapes are under strict environmental protection due to their high ecological value, unique species, rich biodiversity and other characteristics. Selected under Natura 2000 programme, habitats and endangered species of high ecological value and significance are considered as primary targets of nature conservation. Sitno Natura 2000 Sites include unique landscapes with rare and endangered species. Therefore, they have high environmental and natural value, as important part of the Slovakian and European natural heritage. At the same time, there are detected anthropogenic impacts on Sitno Natura 2000 Sites, caused by the uncontrolled tourism and other factors.
2. Methodology In this research we performed spatial analysis of Sitno landscapes using methods of landscapes metrics calculation and quantification. This include measurements of landscape elements, assessment of ecological significance, zoning of area into areas of ecological significance with different value levels. Methodologically, the landscape metrics assessment included calculations of Number of Patches (NP), Patch's density (PD), Mean patch size (MPS), Patch's size standard deviation (PSSD) and Mean shape index (MSI). This is done using information on area, size, density and shapes of the landscapes. Patches, separate parts of the landscapes, were classified using code classification, which allowed to divide landscapes into three ground categories: 1) Artificial surfaces 2) Agricultural areas 3). Forests and seminatural areas. These categories were further sub-divided into 19 sub-clusters, which were defined according to the reference scale and methodological concept of habitat classification. During the interpretation, the levels of ecological significance (SA) were assigned to every habitat. This process is based on the analysis and assessment of ecological processes in the landscape. The next step modifies the assigned degrees by the percentage proportion (P%) of habitat ́s metrics (NP, PD, MPS, PSSD and MSI) to the total number of the metric ́s value. Percentage proportion modified starting value of the ecological significance (SA). The result value of the modification factor is partial ecological significance (SB). The final ecological significance for the habitats (value SC) is presented as match average of values SB.
3. Techniques The output of this interpretation is defined by the stepwise levels of ecological values: 1)very significant 2) significant 3) moderately significant 4) almost insignificant 5) insignificant. The final results are presented as calculated numerical values which are assigned for each land cover patch within the landscape. The interpretation of these quantified data allows to define ecological value and quality of the landscapes. The ecological value, or significance, of the landscape elements is represented by the numerical values which indicate quality of the complex ecological processes within the landscape. This enables to assess it as high-level value (very precious) or low-level value (not significant). These degrees are used for zoning of the protected areas. This process quantitatively divides study area into different zones with approach to landscape conservation. The final results consist in assessed ecological values for landscapes in Sitno Natura 2000 Site.
4. Results
The main result of this work is determined ecological significance of Sitno Natura 2000 Site. The ecological significance of landscape elements represents numerical values (degrees), which interpret quality of the on- going ecological process in landscape. The zoning of the protected area is done according to the degrees of the ecological significance. This process objectively divides study area into different zones with separately regime for nature conservation and landscape usage. It is characterized as a process based on the objective and ecological approach that respects human sustainable development.
4.1 Landscape elements of the study area
Landscape of the study area is diversified into three base categories:
1. Artificial surfaces, where abstracted human impact; 2. Agricultural area, without any part of arable land; 3. Forests and semi-natural areas. Mentioned categories are divided into 19 sub-categories (Table 1).
The number of categories is defined in accordance with used referenced scale and with the methodological concept of habitat classification. The most representative landscape element within the study area is Asperulo- Fagetum beech forests (9130), as shown in Table 1. It occupies 52,64 % of the total area (TA). The study area is represented (91,81 % of TA) mostly by Forests and semi-natural areas. The number of patches (NP) in the study area reaches 105.
4.2. Ecological significance of study area
Ecological significance of landscape elements is based on the described above methodology.
The Table 3 illustrates starting value (SA) of each one habitat. It is a baseline value of the ecological significance, where degrees are assigned according to Hrnčiarová et al. (1997). The study area has ecological significance at degree 3. Modification (SB) of this starting was realized according to: - Value outputs of the landscape metrics for each habitat and their percentage proportion to the metric ́s total number. - Scale degree which has stabile or moving values by increasing method. The final degree of the ecological significance is assessed by the mathematical average using partial ecological significance. The study area has final ecological significance (SC) at degree 3, but this value is needed to be diversified to the main class categories of habitats which are represented in the study area. "Artificial surfaces" occupy only 1,49 % of the total area and have final ecological significance at degree 5. "Agricultural areas" occupy 5,69 % and have value of SC at degree 2. Finally, the last class is represented by "Forests and semi-natural areas", which occupy 92,81 % and have degree 2 as well. The mentioned above values represent background materials for the diversification of the study area on zones with special regime of nature and landscape conservation within each zone accordingly.
Conclusion The main result of this work consists in determined ecological significant areas of habitats that are under protection´s system of Natura 2000 Sites. The patches quantification of habitats is the partial result that influences process of determination of ecological significance. The interpretative process examines land cover patches by the set of landscape metrics for the area, size, density and shape (NP, PD, MPS, PSSD and MSI). The output values could express a spatial processes in the landscape, such as perforation, dissection, fragmentation, shrinkage or attrition. The final ecological significance of the study area-Sitno Natura 2000 site-is at degree 3, what means that the area is represented by moderately significant land cover patches-habitats. It indicates the same value as the one at the initial level. According to the value of the ecological significance, the study area has been diversified into three zones, where each one indicates specific level of conservation. The zones and the final degree of the ecological significance of habitats are retroactively compared to historical and cultural human development that started in this area as early as in 1st century BC. Theoretically, such a long period of intense human impacts on the local environment should completely destroy natural environment. Nevertheless, this area demonstrates rather good natural ecosystems conditions and well functioning ecological processes within the habitats. The human impact is now observed only in small range of size not more than 1,50% from total area of Sitno Natura 2000 Site. It can be explained, first, by low population density within the study area comparing to other EU areas, secondly, by accurate usage of the living area by the local population in general, and thirdly, by high resilience of the elements of landscapes towards any human impacts.
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