Thomas Wrbka

Landscape patch shape complexity as an effective measure for plant species richness in rural landscapes

The application of landscape patch shape complexity as a predictor ofvascularplant and bryophyte species richness is analysed. Several common complexityindices (shape index, fractal dimension, comparison to the area of the minimumbounding rectangle) are tested for their predictive power for plant speciesrichness. One new robust measure for shape complexity is presented whichovercomes some disadvantages of common complexity measures applied to highresolution analysis of agricultural landscapes based on aerial photographs. Thenew index is based on the number of shape characterising points along apolygon’s boundary. This new measure shows promising predictive capabilitiesforspecies richness of vascular plants and bryophytes (correlation coefficient:0.85 for vascular plants, 0.74 for bryophytes).

The influence of land-use practices and economics on plant species richness in meadows

Thirty-one meadows were investigated within five sites representing various farming styles found in Austrian cultural landscapes. The meadows were analysed regarding (a) biodiversity (vascular plant and bryophyte species richness), (b) land-use practices (fertiliser input, mowing intensity, the use of silage), and (c) economic aspects (variable costs, profit margin and subsidies per ha). There were significant negative correlations between plant species richness and mowing intensity and intensity of fertiliser application. Bryophytes were good indicators of low nutrient regimes, having high species richness at low fertiliser input. Vascular plants showed highest species richness at an intermediate nitrogen supply. The total plant species richness decreased with increasing nitrogen supply. Intensive silage production was also negatively correlated with plant diversity. Species with a very narrow ecological niche of soil moisture and nutrients declined, whereas species adapted to wider ecological conditions increased. Profit margin and variable costs correlated negatively with plant species richness, with meadows that offered low or no profit margins showing highest species richness. There was no significant relationship between species richness and the amount of subsidies invested at the study meadows. Estimated costs of maintaining a species are shown. It is concluded that if plant species richness are to be maintained in these meadows, farmers have to receive increased financial incentives through agro-environmental subsidies for appropriate meadow management, and these have to be linked to clearly defined measures.

Multifunctionality of floodplain landscapes: relating management options to ecosystem services

The concept of green infrastructure has been recently taken up by the European Commission for ensuring the provision of ecosystem services (ESS). It aims at the supply of multiple ESS in a given landscape, however, the effects of a full suite of management options on multiple ESS and landscape multifunctionality have rarely been assessed. In this paper we use European floodplain landscapes as example to develop an expert based qualitative conceptual model for the assessment of impacts of landscape scale interventions on multifunctionality. European floodplain landscapes are particularly useful for such approach as they originally provided a high variety and quantity of ESS that has declined due to the strong human impact these landscapes have experienced. We provide an overview of the effects of floodplain management options on landscape multifunctionality by assessing the effects of 38 floodplain management interventions on 21 relevant ESS, as well as on overall ESS supply. We found that restoration and rehabilitation consistently increased the multifunctionality of the landscape by enhancing supply of provisioning, regulation/maintenance, and cultural services. In contrast, conventional technical regulation measures and interventions related to extraction, infrastructure and intensive land use cause decrease in multifunctionality and negative effects for the supply of all three aspects of ESS. The overview of the effects of interventions shall provide guidance for decision makers at multiple governance levels. The presented conceptual model could be effectively applied for other landscapes that have potential for a supply of a high diversity of ESS.

Landscape and vegetation responses to human impact in sandy coasts of Western Crete, Greece

Abstract Human activities have shaped the coastal environment of the Mediterranean basin for millennia through agriculture, husbandry and the deliberate use of fire. With the decline of agriculture, in recent decades, other factors have caused a more severe impact on the coastal landscapes. These factors are the large scale developments for tourism, the process of urbanisation, the increase of summer visitor numbers, and the introduction of exotic plants. The most heavily affected habitats are the sandy coastal systems, and coastal dunes in particular. The area of Western Crete presents a perfect example of these degradation processes. Our study area comprises both natural coastal dune systems, as well as degraded beaches with high intensity human impact. The north facing coasts of the study area consist of several long stretching sandy beaches with well developed dune systems. However, in many cases these dunes are severely degraded due to uncontrolled building of tourist facilities right at the edge of the shore. To the west, it includes sites of natural dunes of outstanding beauty, which are designated for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network. We use both landscape and vegetation classification, to establish the relations between human impact and vegetation. Two different classifications, derived from these different data-sets are combined, in order to extract useful information on the value of landscape surveying on biodiversity estimation, and on the other hand, on the perspectives of using plant species as indicators of landscape change. Diverse land unit groups are identified, according to human impact processes and structural landscape variation. These classes of land units correlate with specific plant communities that are recognised from the phytosociological analysis. Indicator species are defined that can explain the level of intensity of human impact for a stretch of beach. These indicator species often do not match the frequently used character species.

Impact of oil palm plantations on the structure of the agroforestry mosaic of La Gamba, southern Costa Rica: potential implications for biodiversity

Human activities often cause changes and homogenization in landscape structure. To investigate the impact of changing cultivation systems on structural and functional aspects of a tropical agroforestry system, we developed satellite based land cover maps of the La Gamba area in southwestern Costa Rica and refined them by mapping fine-scale linear landscape elements. Performing a landscape pattern analysis, we compared eight sections of the study area by landscape metrics. Furthermore we performed a Morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) for hypothetical non-forest, forest generalist and forest specialist species, and compared the current situation to a possible future scenario with double the area covered by oil palm plantations after a virtual conversion of other agricultural patches. The heterogeneous rural sections clearly differed from the homogeneous forests and especially pasture-dominated rural sections included many diverse, small and elongated patches, many linear landscape elements but few big plantations. According to the scenario with double the area covered by oil palm plantations, non-forest species lost large parts of their habitat, while forest species mainly lost corridors. The protection of natural landscape elements that support wildlife movement between forest areas is of major importance, particularly as the globally increasing cultivation of oil palm is significantly altering many tropical land mosaics, including the countryside of La Gamba. We propose the establishment of eight least cost path corridor routes in the study area to make the agricultural area pervious for wildlife.

Biodiversity ‘hot spots’ for bryophytes in landscapes dominated by agriculture in Austria

Abstract A total of 1286 habitats within 32 sampling sites selected by a random procedure were investigated with regard to their bryophyte species richness in Austrian agricultural landscapes. Altogether 465 species were recorded within 46 habitat-types. At the landscape-type scale only precipitation correlated with bryophyte species richness whereas at the site and habitat scale, species richness was mainly influenced by land-use intensity and substrate diversity. The most important habitats in terms of bryophyte species richness (“hot spots”) were more than 3 years old fallow lands (26.4±16.9 species), pastures with old trees (23.9±12.7), woodlots (21.2±11.3), moderately intensive used meadows (20.3±5.7) and avenues with old trees (22.1±16.7).

Distribution of endangered bryophytes in Austrian agricultural landscapes

In Austrian agricultural landscapes, 1936 sampling plots within 72 study sites selected by a random procedure were investigated with regard to their bryophyte vegetation. Out of a total of 506 species, 135 endangered species were recorded. Thirty-eight percent of all populations of endangered species showed sporophytes and 15% produced vegetative reproduction units. There is a significantly higher number of endangered species growing in upland landscapes dominated by moderately intensive cattle farming than in lowland landscapes with a wide range of mainly intensive farming styles. The percentage of species that are endangered is higher in intensively than in moderately used areas. The sampling plots differed strongly in respect to their number of endangered species. Very important habitats for endangered bryophytes are less intensively used vineyards, moderately and less intensively used meadows (including fens), field margins and fallow lands. There is a significant negative correlation between land-use intensity as defined by the hemerobic state and the number of endangered species. The distribution of endangered species according to land-use and habitat quality is discussed.

A Spatial Regional Reference Framework for Sustainability Assessment in Europe

A Spatial Regional Reference Framework (SRRF) has been produced which will allow an efficient assessment of sustainability impact indicators across Europe. In order to achieve this goal, it was necessary to define relatively homogeneous regions, in terms of both biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics. The major objective was the integration of these dimensions into European regions that were as uniform as possible. Therefore, in order to retain comparability, it was necessary to use consistent European databases. The spatial framework consisted of three levels, which were necessary to incorporate data on different tiers of spatial aggregation: (1) the INSPIRE Reference Grid, (2) a newly established NUTSx classification, which is a trade-off between administrative European NUTS2 and NUTS3 regions, and (3) the construction of SRRF cluster regions. The last were produced by using a statistical cluster analysis based on a restricted set of important biophysical and socio-economic parameters. 27 cluster regions resulted, which provided a flexible tool for further impact assessment at regional level.

Multifunctional floodplain management and biodiversity effects: a knowledge synthesis for six European countries

Floodplain ecosystems are biodiversity hotspots and supply multiple ecosystem services. At the same time they are often prone to human pressures that increasingly impact their intactness. Multifunctional floodplain management can be defined as a management approach aimed at a balanced supply of multiple ecosystem services that serve the needs of the local residents, but also those of off-site populations that are directly or indirectly impacted by floodplain management and policies. Multifunctional floodplain management has been recently proposed as a key concept to reconcile biodiversity and ecosystem services with the various human pressures and their driving forces. In this paper we present biophysics and management history of floodplains and review recent multifunctional management approaches and evidence for their biodiversity effects for the six European countries Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and the Ukraine. Multifunctional use of floodplains is an increasingly important strategy in some countries, for instance in the Netherlands and Hungary, and management of floodplains goes hand in hand with sustainable economic activities resulting in flood safety and biodiversity conservation. As a result, biodiversity is increasing in some of the areas where multifunctional floodplain management approaches are implemented. We conclude that for efficient use of management resources and ecosystem services, consensual solutions need to be realized and biodiversity needs to be mainstreamed into management activities to maximize ecosystem service provision and potential human benefits. Multifunctionality is more successful where a broad range of stakeholders with diverse expertise and interests are involved in all stages of planning and implementation.

The network BiodiversityKnowledge in practice: insights from three trial assessments

Abstract In order to develop BiodiversityKnowledge, a Network of Knowledge working at the European science–policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services, we conducted three trial assessments. Their purpose was to test structure and processes of the knowledge synthesis function and to produce knowledge syntheses. The trial assessments covered conservation and management of kelp ecosystems, biological control of agricultural pests, and conservation and multifunctional management of floodplains. Following the BiodiversityKnowledge processes, we set up expert consultations, systematic reviews, and collaborative adaptive management procedures in collaboration with requesters, policy and decision-makers, stakeholders, and knowledge holders. Outputs included expert consultations, systematic review protocols, a group model and a policy brief. Important lessons learned were firstly that the scoping process, in which requesters and experts iteratively negotiate the scope, scale and synthesis methodology, is of paramount importance to maximize the scientific credibility and policy relevance of the output. Secondly, selection of a broad array of experts with diverse and complementary skills (including multidisciplinary background and a broad geographical coverage) and participation of all relevant stakeholders is crucial to ensure an adequate breath of expertise, better methodological choices, and maximal uptake of outcomes: Thirdly, as the most important challenge was expert and stakeholder engagement, a high visibility and reputation of BiodiversityKnowledge, supported by an incentive system for participation, will be crucial to ensure such engagement. We conclude that BiodiversityKnowledge has potential for a good performance in delivering assessments, but it requires adequate funding, trust-building among knowledge holders and stakeholders, and a proactive and robust interface with the policy and decision making community.