Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Heterogeneity of Various Landscape Processes and Their Driving Factors Based on the OPGD Model for the Jiaozhou Bay Coast Zone, China

To date, various studies have analyzed changes in the landscape but there are few studies which have explored landscape processes and the corresponding driving factors. This study makes up for this deficiency in the systematic theoretical exposition and the spatiotemporal analysis of landscape processes. The results show that the amount of arable land outflow and built-up land inflow have resulted in an increase of 92,311.11 ha of built-up land that is mostly distributed around the administrative center and along the coast of Jiaozhou Bay. The outflow of ecological land is a major resource for replenishing arable land, by 37,016.19 ha, especially in terms of the grassland that is distributed in the hilly areas west of Jiaozhou Bay. The outflow of the salt-field, fish-farm and ecological land outflow have good connectivity, a large patch size, and an irregular shape. The ecological type, elevation, slope, and vegetation coverage are the four factors that have a great influence on all landscape processes. A gentler slope and lower elevation, and proximity to cities and towns land will produce more arable land outflow and built-up land inflow. However, arable land inflow and ecological land outflow are the opposite. This research will guide natural resource management for a rapidly developing coastal zone.

rassta: Raster-based Spatial Stratification Algorithms

Spatial stratification of landscapes allows for the development of efficient sampling surveys,the inclusion of domain knowledge in data-driven modeling frameworks, and the production of information relating the spatial variability of response phenomena to that of landscape processes. This work presents the rassta package as a collection of algorithms dedicated to the spatial stratification of landscapes, the calculation of landscape correspondence metrics across geographic space, and the application of these metrics for spatial sampling and modeling of environmental phenomena. The theoretical background of rassta is presented through references to several studies which have benefited from landscape stratification routines. The functionality of rassta is presented through code examples which are complemented with the geographic visualization of their outputs.

Dissolution of Carbonate Rocks in a Laboratory Setting: Rates and Textures

Determining the dissolution rates of carbonate rocks is vital to advancing our understanding of cave, karst, and landscape processes. Furthermore, the role of carbonate dissolution is important for the global carbon budget and climate change. A laboratory experiment was setup to calculate the dissolution rates of two whole rock carbonate samples with different petrographic makeup (ooids and brachiopods). The carbonate rock samples were also explored under a scanning electron microscope to evaluate the textures that developed after dissolution The oolitic limestone dissolved at a rate of 1579 cm yr−1, and the pentamerous limestone (dolostone) dissolved at a rate of 799 cm yr−1. Both rocks did not dissolve evenly across their surface as indicated by scanning electron microscopy, it appears the allochems dissolved preferentially to the matrix/cement of the rocks and that some mechanical weathering happened as well. This work reports that the petrography and mineralogy of carbonate rocks is important to consider when exploring the cave, karst, and landscape evolution and that attention should be paid to the petrography of carbonate rocks when considering the global carbon budget.

Climate-induced reversal of tree growth patterns at a tropical treeline

Globally, cold-limited trees and forests are expected to experience growth acceleration as a direct response to warming temperatures. However, thresholds of temperature limitation may vary substantially with local environmental conditions, leading to heterogeneous responses in tree ecophysiology. We used dendroecological and isotopic methods to quantify shifting tree growth and resource use over the past 143 years across topographic aspects in a high-elevation forest of central Mexico. Trees on south-facing slopes (SFS) grew faster than those on north-facing slopes (NFS) until the mid-20th century, when this pattern reversed notably with marked growth rate declines on SFS and increases on NFS. Stable isotopes of carbon, oxygen, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratios suggest that this reversal is linked to interactions between CO2 stimulation of photosynthesis and water or nitrogen limitation. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating landscape processes and habitat heterogeneity in predictions of tree growth responses to global environmental change.

Integrating landscape ecology into landscape practice in Central African Rainforests

Context We describe how large landscape-scale conservation initiatives involving local communities, NGOs and resource managers have engaged with landscape scientists with the goal of achieving landscape sustainability. We focus on two landscapes where local people, practitioners and landscape ecologists have co-produced knowledge to design conservation interventions. Objective We seek to understand how landscape ecology can engage with practical landscape management to contribute to managing landscapes sustainably. Methods We focus on two large tropical landscapes: the Sangha Tri-National landscape (Cameroon, Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic) and the Batéké-Léfini Landscape (Gabon and Republic of Congo). We evaluate (1) a participatory method used in the Sangha Tri-National landscape that embeds interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners within a landscape to apply transdisciplinary learning to landscape conservation and (2) a participatory landscape zoning method where interdisciplinary teams of conservation practitioners analyse local land and resource use in the Batéké-Léfini landscape. Results We find that landscape ecology’s tradition of understanding the historical context of resource use can inform landscape conservation practice and natural resource mapping. We also find that the Sangha Group provides an example for landscape ecology on how to integrate local people and their knowledge to better understand and influence landscape processes. Conclusions Place-based engagement as well as the uptake of co-produced knowledge by policy makers are key in enabling sustainable landscapes. Success occurs when researchers, local communities and resource managers engage directly with landscape processes.

Controls on the size distributions of shallow landslides

Rainfall-triggered shallow landslides are destructive hazards and play an important role in landscape processes. A theory explaining the size distributions of such features remains elusive. Prior work connects size distributions to topography, but field-mapped inventories reveal pronounced similarities in the form, mode, and spread of distributions from diverse landscapes. We analyze nearly identical distributions occurring in the Oregon Coast Range and the English Lake District, two regions of strikingly different topography, lithology, and vegetation. Similarity in minimum sizes at these sites is partly explained by theory that accounts for the interplay of mechanical soil strength controls resisting failure. Maximum sizes, however, are not explained by current theory. We develop a generalized framework to account for the entire size distribution by unifying a mechanistic slope stability model with a flexible spatial-statistical description for the variability of hillslope strength. Using hillslope-scale numerical experiments, we find that landslides can occur not only in individual low strength areas but also across multiple smaller patches that coalesce. We show that reproducing observed size distributions requires spatial strength variations to be strongly localized, of large amplitude, and a consequence of multiple interacting factors. Such constraints can act together with the mechanical determinants of landslide initiation to produce size distributions of broadly similar character in widely different landscapes, as found in our examples. We propose that size distributions reflect the systematic scale dependence of the spatially averaged strength. Our results highlight the critical need to constrain the form, amplitude, and wavelength of spatial variability in material strength properties of hillslopes.

Land Consolidation Zoning in Coastal Tidal Areas Based on Landscape Security Pattern: A Case Study of Dafeng District, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China

It is crucial to pay close attention to the ecological security in land consolidation and utilization of coastal tidal areas and make an appropriate zoning scheme to meet the characteristics of its particular landscape. Landscape security patterns can identify the patterns that are crucial to the health and security of landscape ecological processes by analyzing and simulation them. This article applies the theory of landscape security pattern to land consolidation zoning in a coastal tidal area, Dafeng District, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. The main landscape processes in land consolidation are explored in land consolidation in the area by literature review and field investigation, corresponding single landscape ecological security patterns are constructed using spatial analysis functions in ArcGIS 10.3, and land consolidation zones are determined according to the comprehensive landscape security pattern. The results show that: (1) The processes of water-soil conservation, water source protection, biodiversity conservation, local culture protection, and recreation are the main landscape processes. The security patterns generated by key points and resistance elements could affect land consolidation; (2) The comprehensive landscape security pattern is composed of the multi-landscape security patterns, which are classified into three levels of high, medium, and low. The areas of the levels account for 20.12%, 46.23% and 33.65% of Dafeng District, respectively; (3) The specific suggestions of ecological protection and ecological restoration in land consolidation are put forward for land consolidation zones with different levels of landscape security patterns. These results suggest that zoning based on landscape security patterns can provide guidance for land consolidation and regulation in coastal tidal areas.

Mining Landscapes of the Kryvyi Rih Landscape-Technical System

Purpose. Identify the main landscape structures of mining landscapes of Kryvyi Rih landscape technical system. Methods. Historical analysis, cartographical method of spatial analysis, forecasting method. Results. In this regard, the analysis of scientific works has been carried out and the landscape factors that cause the emergence of mining landscapes in Kryvyi Rih landscape and technical system have been considered. Mining landscapes were formed as a result of the interaction of technology and nature. Landscape processes and phenomena play a leading role in the formation and development of mining landscapes. Kryvyi Rih landscape technical system underwent significant changes during the 1880s – 2019s. The biggest changes occurred as a result of iron ore mining and storage of industrial waste. In particular, the northern steppe landscapes, the Saksagan and Ingulets riverbeds were completely destroyed along the iron ore deposits of Kryvyi Rih structure. The structure of mining landscapes has been analyzed, their classification has been developed and the detailed characteristic of each of types of mining landscapes has been given. A map has been developed that reflects the territorial organization of the main landscape complexes of the mining landscapes of Kryvyi Rih landscape technical system. Conclusions. The mining landscapes were formed and are developing, which today are leading in the landscape structure of Kryvbas. Emphasis has been placed on the mining and dumping type of mining landscapes. Recommendations for optimization of landscape structures of mining landscapes of Kryvyi Rih landscape technical system have been substantiated.

How is Modern Climate Change Affecting Landscape Processes?

Landscapes will respond to hydroclimatic changes associated with modern global warming, such as increasing extreme storms and wildfire, but to what extent is physical landscape change already evident?