scholarly journals Restoring steppe landscapes: patterns, drivers and implications in Russia’s steppes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Pazur ◽  
Alexander V. Prishchepov ◽  
Ksenya Myachina ◽  
Peter H. Verburg ◽  
Sergey Levykin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Regression Tree ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Virgin Land ◽  
Human Footprint ◽  
Steppe Belt ◽  
Tree Models ◽  
Southern Russia

Abstract Context Agricultural land abandonment across the steppe belt of Eurasia has provided an opportunity for the restoration of steppe landscapes in recent decades. However, global food demands are about to revert this trajectory and put restored steppe landscapes at risk. Objectives We analysed steppe development in southern Russia in the last 40 years, assessed its spatial patterns and drivers of change for several periods. Methods Using Landsat imagery, we mapped the permanent steppe and steppe restoration from 1990 to 2018. Based on regression tree models, we evaluate and explain its dynamics. Results were compared with district-level trends in land-use intensities of cropland. Results We found 70% of the steppe in 2018 represented permanent steppe and 30% of former cropland dominantly abandoned in the postsocialism (1990–2000). The permanent steppe and steppe restored in the postsocialism (1990–2000) were located far from settlements, on rough terrain and in districts of the Virgin Land Campaign (1954–1963). In recent decades, the patterns of steppe restoration (2000–2018) were mostly determined by unfavourable agroclimatic conditions and distance from grain storage facilities. The restoration pattern reflects regional differences in land-use intensities, e.g., isolated steppe patches mostly appeared in areas of intensive agricultural land-use. Conclusions Steppe restoration has appeared in areas marginal for agricultural production, with poor natural conditions and little human footprint. Consequently, the permanent steppe became less fragmented and a more continuous steppe landscape resulted. The remaining isolated steppe patches require attention in restoration programs as they are mostly located in areas of intensive agricultural land-use.

scholarly journals Abandonment and Recultivation of Agricultural Lands in Slovakia—Patterns and Determinants from the Past to the Future

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Pazúr ◽  
Juraj Lieskovský ◽  
Matthias Bürgi ◽  
Daniel Müller ◽  
Tibor Lieskovský ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Boosted Regression Trees ◽  
Land Abandonment ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Open Market ◽  
The European Union ◽  
National Capital

Central and Eastern Europe has experienced fundamental land use changes since the collapse of socialism around 1990. We analyzed the patterns and determinants of agricultural land abandonment and recultivation in Slovakia during the transition from a state-controlled economy to an open-market economy (1986 to 2000) and the subsequent accession to the European Union (2000 to 2010). We quantified agricultural land-use change based on available maps derived from 30-m multi-seasonal Landsat imagery and analyzed the socioeconomic and biophysical determinants of the observed agricultural land-use changes using boosted regression trees. We used a scenario-based approach to assess future agricultural land abandonment and recultivation until 2060. The maps of agricultural land use analysis reveal that cropland abandonment was the dominant land use process on 11% of agricultural land from 1986 to 2000, and on 6% of the agricultural land from 2000 to 2010. Recultivation occurred on approximately 2% of agricultural land in both periods. Although most abandoned land was located in the plains, the rate of abandonment was twice as high in the mountainous landscapes. The likelihood of abandonment increased with increased distance from the national capital (Bratislava), decreased with an increase of annual mean temperatures and was higher in proximity to forest edges and on steeper slopes. Recultivation was largely determined by the opposite effects. The scenario for 2060 suggests that future agricultural land abandonment and recultivation may largely be determined by climate and terrain conditions and, to a lesser extent, by proximity to economic centers. Our study underscores the value of synergetic use of satellite data and land-use modeling to provide the input for land planning, and to anticipate the potential effects of changing environmental and policy conditions.

scholarly journals Assessing Urban Growth Dynamics and Depletion of Agricultural Land Use in Akure Region, Nigeria

Land Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. p43
Author(s):  
J.O. Owoeye
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Urban Growth ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Markov Chain Model ◽  
Landsat Imagery ◽  
Growth Management ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Chain Model ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the Akure urban growth dynamics and the impact on agricultural land use in the region between 1985 and 2014. It makes use of Aerial Imagery Interpolation (AII) of Landsat imagery of 1986, 2002, 2007 and 2014 to determine LULC change pattern, the extent and direction of the expansion. As at 1986, only 5.1% (6384 ha.) of land area was developed while over 90% were covered with thick (64.5%) and light (30.33%) vegetation which were lands used for agricultural purposes. By 2014, the built-up area had increased to 26.33% while the thick vegetation reduced drastically to 15.6%. Further investigation revealed that the growth dynamics and loss of agricultural land use in the region were products of increased population and continued urbanization process. There were incompatible conversions in LULC and unguided expansions leading to undue encroachment into green areas at the suburbs. With the aid of Markov chain model, the trend was predicted over a period of 20 years (2014-2034). Variability in this relationship suggests the need of concerted urban growth management efforts by different stakeholders in urban planning to check the shoddy expansion with a view to securing agricultural lands for sustainable food security in the region.

scholarly journals Agroforestry Systems of the Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley: Land Use for Biocultural Diversity Conservation

Land ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Mariana Vallejo ◽  
M. Isabel Ramírez ◽  
Alejandro Reyes-González ◽  
Jairo López-Sánchez ◽  
Alejandro Casas
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Agroforestry Systems ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Biocultural Diversity ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Agricultural Land Use ◽  
Visual Interpretation ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Human Settlements

The Tehuacán-Cuicatlán Valley, Mexico, is the semiarid region with the richest biodiversity of North America and was recently recognized as a UNESCO's World Heritage site. Original agricultural practices remain to this day in agroforestry systems (AFS), which are expressions of high biocultural diversity. However, local people and researchers perceive a progressive decline both in natural ecosystems and AFS. To assess changes in location and extent of agricultural land use, we carried out a visual interpretation of very-high resolution imagery and field work, through which we identified AFS and conventional agricultural systems (CAS) from 1995 to 2003 and 2012. We analyzed five communities, representative of three main ecological and agricultural zones of the region. We assessed agricultural land use changes in relation to conspicuous landscape features (relief, rivers, roads, and human settlements). We found that natural ecosystems cover more than 85% of the territory in each community, and AFS represent 51% of all agricultural land. Establishment and permanence of agricultural lands were strongly influenced by gentle slopes and the existence of roads. Contrary to what we expected, we recorded agricultural areas being abandoned, thus favoring the regeneration of natural ecosystems, as well as a 9% increase of AFS over CAS. Agriculture is concentrated near human settlements. Most of the studied territories are meant to preserve natural ecosystems, and traditional AFS practices are being recovered for biocultural conservation.

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