Partition among niche and neutral explanations for metacommunity patterns of fish from Cerrado streams

The Species-Sorting concept, one of the models developed to explain patterns in metacommunity structure, suggests that relationships between biological communities and environmental conditions is the basic means of the species selection processes. A second concept is Neutral Theory, and the idea of neutral dynamics underpinning metacommunity structure, cannot be overlooked. The third mechanism is the Mass-Effect concept, that focuses on the interaction between environmental condition and neutral effects. In the present study, we partitioned fish communities in streams between niche and neutral theory concepts, identifying the best representation of metacommunity structure, and assessed if linear and hydrographic distance were equivalent in the representation of neutral processes. The result points to the importance of species sorting mechanisms in structuring fish communities with neutral processes best represented by the linear distances. These results are important for the fish fauna conservation leading to three considerations: (i) the variation of the landscape and habitat is important for the stream fish, (ii) the natural barriers are an important landscape component to be considered, and (iii) the artificial barriers (dams and impoundments) need to be planned taking in account the catchment basin as the landscape unit.

Characterization of soils cultivated with cassava under different managements

ABSTRACT Although cassava is an undemanding crop in terms of soil chemical fertility, the scarcity of nutrients affects crop productivity, and it is common to cultivate it in soils with low natural fertility, as occurs in Coastal Tablelands. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical attributes of soils cultivated with cassava under different managements. The study was carried out in the municipality of São Felipe, located in the landscape unit of Coastal Tablelands, Bahia state, Brazil. Fifteen properties were selected to evaluate the characteristics of soils cultivated with cassava under different types of management. Soil sampling was carried out during the months of October and November 2018, a dry period in the region. The medium-textured soil was predominant in the different areas of management of cassava cultivation. Most areas showed pH below the recommended range for cassava (5.5 to 6.5), base saturation below 50% and low phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents, according to the crop’s nutritional needs. The first two principal components explained 84.65% of the total variance. Thus, it was possible to verify that the diversity of management of cassava production areas results in high or very high variability of soil chemical attributes. The attributes pH, P, Al, H + Al, V, CEC and OM are the most representative in the distinction of soils of the cassava cultivation areas evaluated.

Landscape management strategy of pekarangan to increase community immunity during the covid-19 pandemic in Java Indonesia – inductive research

The research results in the last two decades show the important role of pekarangan as a micro-scale landscape unit in providing space for growing various types of plants, i.e., multi-layers from the grasses to the trees, livestock, and fish. Pekarangan is defined with distinctive spatial patterns and elements as a representation of the harmonious relationship between the owner and the ecological character. Perceptions and preferences based on different social, cultural, and environmental factors shape the pekarangan pattern and function to become more diverse as a form of community local wisdom. The important role of pekarangan needs to be deeper elaborated in efforts to increase community immunity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pekarangan has great potential to be developed as a mitigation and rehabilitation space by providing a variety of medicinal plants as well as outdoor activity spaces with a healthy environment quality. This research was designed for three years with three main approaches: (1) inductive method, which focuses on building theory from practices that have been known and carried out for generations, (2) implementation as an effort to actualize local knowledge, (3) multiplicative for the benefit of the important value of pekarangan. Studies start from basic research of pekarangan; research on the development of spatial planning and elements forming pekarangan; research on nutritional content contributed from pekarangan products. Data were obtained through pekarangan mapping, structured questionnaires at four selected locations in Cisadane, Citarum, Kali Progo, and Brantas Watersheds. The results of this research are expected to be implemented in public spaces on a meso scale and macro scales.

Landscape planning for geodiversity conservation of Ciletuh geo area in Ciletuh Geopark using bioregional approach

Indonesia has 15 National Geoparks, and four of them have been recognized by UNESCO as the Global Geopark Network (GGN). The Ciletuh Geopark is one of the geo-parks in Indonesia that UNESCO has recognized. With the status of GGN, the management of the Ciletuh Geopark area must be directed according to the area development criteria set by UNESCO. The form of designated area development is related to efforts to increase cooperation, increase local communities’ welfare, develop infrastructure, and establish sustainable geopark areas. This Area’s result must pay attention to the Area’s sensitivity with geological uniqueness so as not to damage the geological diversity (geodiversity) in it. Therefore it is necessary to arrange the area with the direction of area development under the stipulations outlined. This research aims to develop a landscape plan to conserve the Ciletuh Geo Area geodiversity as part of Ciletuh Geopark using a bioregion approach. This process starts from inventory, literature study to analysis and synthesis, and planning. The research is carried out with a bioregion approach to determine the bioregion unit, landscape unit, and place the unit. Biophysical and geological characteristics are used in the preparation of bioregion classes. The synthesis was carried out by compiling the place units with significance values at 18 geological sites, making each place unit’s intrinsic value. The landscape plan prepared by referring to the rules of conservation of nature reserves can be considered in the development and management of the Ciletuh Geo Area in particular and Ciletuh Geopark area in general.

Planning Peri-Urban Open Spaces: Methods and Tools for Interpretation and Classification

Today, planning an urban–rural interface requires redefining the planner’s role and toolbox. Global challenges such as food security, climate change and population growth have become urgent issues to be addressed, especially for the implications in land use management. Urban–rural linkages, socio-economic interactions and ecological connectivity are the main issues on which the new urban agenda and sustainable development goals focus. Thus, urban and peri-urban agriculture (professional and not professional) in urban–rural interfaces has a crucial role in the maintenance and enhancement of landscape quality, urban green spaces and ecosystem services. The research presented in this article adopts a holistic approach, with a special focus on open spaces, in order to understand the complexity of peri-urban landscapes and to identify homogeneous units. It also defines map-based indices to characterize peri-urban landscape types and identify main functions to maintain and enhance. The method was applied to the peri-urban area of Turin (Italy), and maps of spatial and functional classification at the landscape unit level were generated, as well as a map of critical areas to improve. Despite some minor limitations, the method and tools proposed appear to have a range of applications in the context of global challenges and from a landscape perspective.

EXPERIENCE IN DETAILED LANDSCAPE MAPPING OF THE BLACK SEA ABRASION COAST AT THE NORTH-WESTERN CAUCASUS

The landscape units of the Black Sea coast of the North-Western Caucasus have complex and dynamic structures. Mapping of such systems is possible only on a large scale, by superimposing remote sensing data on field research materials. The detailed landscape maps of the marine abrasive coasts of this region were produced for the first time. The landscape structure includes identified hierarchic units: stows, substows, narrow stretched belts, and land facies. A substow was selected as the main unit of analysis for the coastal mapping. The landscape unit map exposes the activity of slope processes and the potential danger areas in the coastal zone.

THE INFLUENCE OF MORPHOMETRIC INDICATORS OF THE RELIEF ON THE FORMATION OF LANDSCAPES OF THE SOUTHEASTERN SLOPE OF THE GREATER CAUCASUS

Purpose: To reveal the role of high energy of slope relief in the formation and differentiation of modern mountain geosystems of the Southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus by assessing the degree of horizontal dissection, slopes of slopes and landscape-morphometric tension of territories with various landscape complexes with subsequent mapping of the ecogeographic situation in order to ensure rational land use and environmental safety. Methodology and Approach: On the basis of field and office studies, data on the state of the soil and vegetation cover, the author analyzed the impact of morphometric indicators on the exodynamic conditions of landscape belts, identified individual landscape-morphological blocks according to the degree of morphometric tension, schematic maps reflecting the impact of horizontal dissection and slopes of slopes on the natural complexes of the territory. Results: The author, through a comparative analysis of quantitative morphometric indicators from different ranks of landscape complexes, showed that there is a close correlation between them, i.e. differentiation, fragmentation and small contour of mountain landscape geosystems, and each landscape unit is distinguished by its own morphometric indicators, which also determine their exogeodynamic stability. It was revealed that the highest intensity of 5 points is characteristic of the territory covering steep slopes within the heights, which are characterized by the development of subnival, alpine meadow and subalpine complexes. The results of field and office studies were reflected in the compiled cartographic materials, which made it possible to carry out a spatial analysis of the development of the exodynamic situation on the territory of the southeastern slope of the Greater Caucasus. Theoretical and Practical implications: Based on the generalization of the results of the research carried out, the territories most exposed to exogenous relief-forming processes can be identified, a more detailed study is carried out and the exodynamic situation is more objectively assessed. The results of the study will make it possible to carry out effective economic planning, to identify priority areas for the implementation of anti-erosion and phyto-reclamation measures in mountain areas.