The share of land cover class and the landscape structure. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland using GIS techniques
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Date
2008
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Abstract
More and more concern on landscape is a resulting from growing conviction of
researchers about it’s indicating role in regard to ecosystem functioning. Number of
research that confirm influence of landscape changes on biodiversity, climate, soil
productivity, human health or quantity and quality of water courses and bodies is
increasing. The simplest form of landscape study is an analysis of land cover. The
data of this type can be easily treated by statistic methods and illustrated on the map.
However, this sort of analysis concern mostly on particular component of landscape,
not on the landscape as a whole. In many cases the structure, in terms of configuration
and composition of land cover classes, determines landscape functions. Additional
factor, usually not taken into account, is geomorphology of study area. The
landform and his origin strongly affect landscape and it’s functions.
The basic purpose of this study is to present the possibility of employing statistical
analysis of numerical maps to describe landscape and predict the consequences
of its changes. This paper considers the issue of landscape diversity measured by the
share of land cover forms and the distribution of such forms in different geomorphologic
forms of the Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland. Author analyzed landscape
structure of Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland in 17 landscape types distinguished
according to geomorphological division of Krygowski. In each geomorphological
unit the share and structure of 16 land cover classes, obtained by data from CORINE
Land Cover 2000 generalization, was counted. Analysis affected chosen indicators of
patches area, density of their edges, shape, core zones, isolation and connectivity and
was supported by Spatial Pattern Analysis Program Fragstats.
Depending on the study object the change in various land cover forms entails
different ecological consequences. They depend not only on the land cover type but
also on its structure. The ability to predict those consequences and counteract
adverse phenomena is very important. This study confirms that it is possible to draw
conclusions on landscape consequences of land cover changes on the regional level
only on the basis of quantitative data. It applies both to the future and the past.
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Keywords
landscape statistic analyses, landscape changes, Poland, Wielkopolska, Kujawy
Citation
Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego No. 8, 2014, pp. 197-206