Agricultural landscape change: a case study in Yläne, southwest Finland

Abstract Non-forest tree stands are important habitats for many species of birds in the agricultural landscape. They are also the main habitat of the Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus, whose numbers have been decreasing in recent years in some parts of Europe. Recognition of the habitat requirements of this species may help better planning of its protection in the context of the treed agricultural landscapes. During this study, the habitat preferences of the Syrian Woodpecker were determined in the agricultural landscape of South-Eastern Poland. A set of 12 habitat parameters of tree stands located in the breeding territories of the Syrian Woodpecker (n = 122) and in randomly chosen control areas (n = 122) located outside the range of the breeding territories of this species were characterized. The number and species diversity of trees was significantly higher in stands located in Syrian Woodpecker territories than in the random control areas. Stands occupied by breeding pairs also had trees of worse health condition and a larger proportion of fruit trees. The model best explaining the probability of the occurrence of the species indicates that the Syrian Woodpecker requires mainly the presence of tree stands with a greater species diversity of trees, as well as tree stands in worse health condition. When planning the protection of this species’ habitats in the agricultural landscape, the characteristics of non-forest tree stands noted above should be taken into account.

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Non-market evaluation of landscape function of agriculture in the PLA White Carpathians

Agricultural Economics (Zemědělská ekonomika) ◽

10.17221/5223-agricecon ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 388-393 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Kubíčková

Keyword(s):

Measurement Technique ◽

Main Part ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Contingent Valuation Method ◽

Landscape Function ◽

Valuation Method ◽

Local Residents ◽

Market Evaluation ◽

White Carpathians

This paper describes research to quantify, in monetary terms, the landscape amenity benefits of agriculture in the Protected Landscape Area White Carpathians. Within the case study of the PLA, we measured benefits to three groups: local residents, visitors, and the general public. The benefit measurement technique used in the main part of the study was the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). This allowed the estimation of both use and non-use (existence and bequest value). The emphasis in this paper is the derivation of information, which is essential for the design, and evaluation of compensation programs targeted to landscape amenity protection. Primarily, the need for this arises because of the existence of genuine concern for the provision of landscape amenity services by agriculture. It is also useful and of interest to evaluate and compare the perceptions of agricultural landscape amenity benefits as held by different affected groups of people.

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