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Land
Number of Followers: 3  Open Access journalISSN (Online) 2073-445X Published by MDPI  [258 journals]
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- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1337: Vegetation Dynamics and Driving Mechanisms
Considering Time-Lag and Accumulation Effects: A Case Study of
Hubao–Egyu Urban Agglomeration
Authors: Xi Liu, Guoming Du, Xiaodie Zhang, Xing Li, Shining Lv, Yinghao He
First page: 1337
Abstract: The Hubao–Egyu Urban Agglomeration (HBEY) was a crucial ecological barrier in northern China. To accurately assess the impact of climate change on vegetation growth, it is essential to consider the effects of time lag and accumulation. In this study, we used a newly proposed kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI) as the metric for vegetation condition, and employed partial correlation analysis to ascertain the lag and accumulation period of vegetation response to climate by considering different scenarios (No/Lag/Acc/LagAcc) and various combinations. Moreover, we further modified the traditional residual analysis model. The results are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2022, the HBEY experienced extensive and persistent greening, with a kNDVI slope of 0.0163/decade. Precipitation was identified as the dominant climatic factor influencing vegetation dynamics. (2) In HBEY, the lag effect of temperature was most distinct, particularly affecting the vegetation in cropland and grassland. The accumulation effect of precipitation was pronounced in grassland. (3) Incorporating lag and accumulation effects into models increases the explanatory power of climate impacts on vegetation dynamics by 6.95% compared to traditional residual models. Our findings hold essential implications for regional ecological regulation and climate change response research.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/land13091337
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1338: Ecological Risk Assessment of Saltwater
Intrusion and Urban Ecosystem Management in Shenzhen City
Authors: Rencai Dong, Yue Cai, Xueye Chen, Cunjin Wang, Anxin Lian
First page: 1338
Abstract: With continued sea level rise and over-exploitation, saline water extends farther inland, causing changes in soil salinity and water quality and leading to permanent land salinization and ecosystem damage. Saltwater intrusion (SWI), causing numerous ecosystem problems and disasters, brings risk to urban ecosystems in coastal cities. Ecological risk, in the Greater Bay Area in China, should be assessed based on the effect of SWI status on ecosystem health. In this study, we built a new ecological risk-assessment model based on the geographic information system (GIS) technique and spatial data. At the conceptual level, four main stressors were identified based on literature reading and fieldwork. Four stress factors (SFs) were thoroughly investigated, namely, SF1: the intensity gradient immersed in saltwater; SF2: the mountain phreatic water supply; SF3: the salinity tolerance of urban greenbelt vegetation; and SF4: the supply capacity of irrigation water to suppress saline water. After a comprehensive evaluation using GIS and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), we mapped and assessed the ecological risk level of the urban greenbelt for the SWI. Our results showed that the area of urban green space affected by the SWI was approximately 49.31 km2, almost 12.05%. Ecological risk was sorted into five ranks: (1) very low risk 47.53%, (2) low risk 26.29%, (3) medium risk 22.92%, (4) high risk 2.45%, and (5) very high risk (0.8%). The ecological infrastructure of sponges should include freshwater conservation in coastal cities, and more attention should be paid to fresh groundwater discharge from coastal ecosystems in Shenzhen.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/land13091338
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1339: Emerging Perspectives on Teaching Urban Form: A
Blended Learning Approach
Authors: Nadia Charalambous, Vitor Oliveira
First page: 1339
Abstract: Over the past few decades, several analytical approaches have been developed to understand urban form and to address the complexity of human settlements as well as various socio-economic and environmental challenges. Each approach is characterized by specific disciplinary and geographical trends, often emerging from distinct schools of thought within urban morphology. Typically, these approaches are associated with specific research centers or individual researchers and have frequently been applied in isolation, with some exceptions. The teaching of urban morphology in higher education institutions across Europe faces the challenge of training future graduates to effectively address contemporary urban issues from often isolated perspectives rooted in the aforementioned schools of thought, either reflecting specific national educational trends or adopting a globalized approach that overlooks local specificities. Furthermore, the relationship between professional practice in urban and planning fields and higher education institutions is a notable concern. While the importance of broad knowledge and multidisciplinary skills for urban professionals is recognized, the connection between academia, research and practice is minimal. The increasing demand for evidence-based approaches in urban design highlights the need for solutions grounded in sound knowledge. To address the relationship between academic research and its integration into professional practice, innovation in teaching practices is crucial, aligning academia with the evolving needs of planning, architecture, and urban design professions. This involves focusing on developing learners’ fundamental and transversal skills and providing tools, methods, and research findings applicable in professional settings. This paper is based on two research projects that sought to bridge the gaps between different morphological approaches in teaching and between academic research and practical application. The projects, Emerging Perspectives on Urban Morphology (EPUM) and the Knowledge Alliance for Evidence-Based Urban Practices (KAEBUP), brought together partners from various South and Central European countries to address these gaps. EPUM focused on integrating different morphological approaches within the context of teaching, while KAEBUP aimed to connect theoretical knowledge with practical actions concerning the built environment. The situative pedagogical perspective, rooted in communities of practice and supported by a blended learning approach, is central to this endeavor. This perspective provides a collaborative framework for educators, students, and professionals in urban morphology to co-create knowledge through integrated learning, teaching, and research activities.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/land13091339
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1340: Ecosystem Service and Biodiversity Patterns
Observed across Co-Developed Land Use Scenarios in the Piedmont: Lessons
Learned for Scale and Framing
Authors: John E. Quinn, Craig Fergus, Emilia Hyland, Caroline Vickery, Iara L. Lacher, Thomas S. Akre
First page: 1340
Abstract: Biodiversity and ecosystem service models are frequently used to consider current conditions or recent changes in the availability of a service. The application of scenarios for biodiversity and ecosystem service assessment remains underdeveloped, particularly co-designed and fine-granular scenarios across different decision-making boundaries. Consequently, the data created by these modeling efforts may not be as valuable to conservation partners and policy makers. In this project, we used land use and land cover change scenarios co-developed with local and regional decision-makers in northwestern Virginia USA as key inputs for 18 different biodiversity and ecosystem service models. Specifically, we used the InVEST suite of models to predict the change in biodiversity and ecosystem indicators and evaluated differences in that change between scenarios and decision-making boundaries. We found that the scenarios produced distinct results for the majority of biodiversity and ecosystem services, especially as a function of population growth. However, we also found that some services varied more as a function of subregions reflecting the existing diversity of ecosystems and governance structures in the area. The co-designed scenarios and summary of the data across units resulted in the production of varied results that can be used to support land use planning by implementing partners.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/land13091340
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1341: Evaluating Visitor Usage and Safety Perception
Experiences in National Forest Parks
Authors: Jing Zhao, Faziawati Abdul Aziz, Menglin Song, Hui Zhang, Norsidah Ujang, Yi Xiao, Ziyi Cheng
First page: 1341
Abstract: Various physical and environmental factors affect the recreational experience in national forest parks. Understanding visitors’ preferences regarding these factors is significant for promoting the physical and mental health and well-being of urban residents. This study aims to quantify residents’ usage patterns and safety perceptions of national forest parks. It focuses particularly on Santai Mountain National Forest Park in Jiangsu, China, and conducted a semi-structured questionnaire survey with 688 participants. The statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics 24 was used for data analysis. A descriptive quantitative analysis was conducted on the respondents’ demographic information. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and an ordinal logistic regression model were employed to analyze the survey data. The survey results show that most visitors go to the forest park only once or twice a year, usually on weekends, holidays, and during leisure time rather than on workdays. Because the national forest park is located in the suburbs, the journey is long, and most visitors choose to drive there. Additionally, the majority of visitors go to the forest park with family and friends. Because the park is well managed and has complete safety facilities, most visitors feel safe in the national forest park.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-23
DOI: 10.3390/land13091341
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1342: Insights into Land-Use and Demographical
Changes: Runoff and Erosion Modifications in the Highlands of Serbia
Authors: Ana M. Petrović, Sanja Manojlović, Tanja Srejić, Nikola Zlatanović
First page: 1342
Abstract: This research investigates the effects of land use/land cover (LULC) and demographical changes on runoff and erosion processes in the watersheds of border highlands in Serbia. It provides an interdisciplinary approach, linking demography (human geography) with physical geography (hydrology and geomorphology). (A) A predominant decrease in curve number (CN), a key hydrological indicator, is recorded in more than 20 watersheds in Eastern and Southeastern Serbia, largely due to continuous depopulation and abandonment of arable land over recent decades. In contrast, minor CN changes are dominant in over 10 watersheds in Western and Southwestern Serbia. (B) Through cluster analysis, four regions are spatially delineated by changes in four key indicators: runoff, soil erosion, agricultural land use, and rural population. Soil erosion change is correlated with the deagrarianisation and depopulation processes at a significance of p < 0.0001 with r = 0.580 and r = 0.629, respectively. The border watersheds are being studied for the first time using a complex approach that analyses the relationships between changes in demography, land use, surface runoff, and soil erosion. The study results contribute to a better understanding of sustainable land management and risk management in the hilly and mountainous border regions, which are particularly vulnerable to torrential flooding and soil erosion.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091342
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1343: Standardization of Metadata of Analog Cadastral
Documents Resulting from Systematic Cadaster Establishment
Authors: Miodrag Roić, Doris Pivac
First page: 1343
Abstract: The systematic approach to the establishment of a cadaster in most European countries has resulted in a variety of cadastral documents. Most official cadastral data are from the 19th and 20th centuries and are stored as hard copies or electronic data in a data warehouse, while the original documents are stored in analog format in separate locations, making the cadastral data difficult to access. The increasing interest in the use of archival cadastral documents has stimulated their digitalization in most countries, allowing users to access cadastral documents through metadata catalogs. Most catalogs use archival metadata standards to describe cadastral documents, with a lack of application of geoinformation metadata standards that represent fundamental spatial datasets. Archival metadata standards do not provide enough information about the origin and quality of cadastral data. The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of the ISO 19115-1 standard for describing cadastral documents. The methodology includes a comparison and an analysis of documents which are stored in different locations. The metadata of archived cadastral documents are recorded in archive inventories, and archives use different terminology for documents with the same content. The scientific contribution of this study is given by the classification of key documents and their associated properties that uniquely described each document. Four types of documents were classified by comparison, and we analyzed the content between documents. Property identification resulted in the semantic mapping to metadata elements of ISO 19115-1 and showed a considerable congruence of elements. It was possible to apply the ISO 19115-1 standard for describing documents of systematic cadaster establishment, with additional extensions for some elements. Proposed extensions to describe the cadastral documents include replacing free text with domains of appropriate values, adding stricter obligations, and restricting the use of domain values. The standardization of metadata for analog cadastral documents in archives has created a prerequisite for the development of a metadata catalog, which would increase the availability and accessibility of cadastral data for different user groups.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091343
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1344: Land Rental Transactions in Ethiopian
Peri-Urban Areas: Sex and Other Factors for Land Rent Transactions
Authors: Sayeh Kassaw Agegnehu, Reinfried Mansberger, Moges Wubet Shita, Derjew Fentie Nurie, Ayelech Kidie Mengesha
First page: 1344
Abstract: The continuous reduction in peri-urban agricultural land due to spatial urban expansion forces subsistence farmers to seek arable land through different land access strategies. Among these, land rental transactions are crucial for accessing arable land across different regions. This study aimed to examine factors affecting land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas of the East Gojjam Administrative Zone in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 353 household heads of peri-urban areas, who were affected by expropriation. A total of 350 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and an econometrics model. The results indicated that 58% of the respondents participated in both renting and renting out land, which underlines the importance of land rental transactions in the peri-urban areas. Specifically, 60% of female-headed households were engaged in land rental transactions, with 14% renting in and 46% renting out land. In contrast, 38% of the male-headed respondents rented land, while only 19% rented out land. The model result identified sex, landholding size, number of oxen, participation in off-farm activities, and extension service as significant determinant variables for renting land. Households made land rental agreements both orally and in written documents, with oral agreements being more prevalent. Transaction dues were conducted through sharecropping and fixed rents, with sharecropping being the most common method. Thus, land rental transactions play pivotal roles to support the livelihoods of peri-urban subsistence farmers.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091344
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1345: Imagining Just and Sustainable Food Futures:
Using Interactive Visualizations to Explore the Possible Land Uses and
Food Systems Approaches in Revelstoke, Canada
Authors: Robert Newell, Colin Dring, Elvia Willyono
First page: 1345
Abstract: Food systems are linked to multiple critical sustainability issues such as climate change, environmental degradation, and growing socioeconomic inequalities, and there is a clear need for transformative changes in how food systems are imagined and enacted. For transformations to occur, local governments and stakeholders must be able to consider achievable and desirable futures that involve radically different reconfigurations of space and land use. Based in Revelstoke, Canada, this study uses interactive visualization methods to engage local government and food systems stakeholders in an exploration of three future food systems scenarios that center on changes in food supply, food affordability, and food governance. An interactive visualization tool was developed using the Unity3D game engine, which visualizes how transformations of an underutilized railway site in Revelstoke may appear in 2100. The visualizations were presented to the study participants (n = 10) through an online, Zoom-based workshop, where ‘walkthroughs’ of the scenarios were performed by the researchers and the participants subsequently provided feedback. The results of this study indicate that visualization tools can elicit emotional responses, convey human relationships with food and nature, communicate power dynamics, and incorporate social justice considerations. The results also show that the visualization’s representation of local infrastructure and services, the completeness of a virtual environment, and the plausibility of a depicted future affect the user assessment of the visualized scenarios.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091345
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1346: Evolution and Mechanism Analysis of Terrestrial
Ecosystems in China with Respect to Gross Primary Productivity
Authors: Hanshi Sun, Yongming Cheng, Qiang An, Liu Liu
First page: 1346
Abstract: The gross primary productivity (GPP) of vegetation stores atmospheric carbon dioxide as organic compounds through photosynthesis. Its spatial heterogeneity is primarily influenced by the carbon uptake period (CUP) and maximum photosynthetic productivity (GPPmax). Grassland, cropland, and forest are crucial components of China’s terrestrial ecosystems and are strongly influenced by the seasonal climate. However, it remains unclear whether the evolutionary characteristics of GPP are attributable to physiology or phenology. In this study, terrestrial ecosystem models and remote sensing observations of multi-source GPP data were utilized to quantitatively analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics from 1982 to 2018. We found that GPP exhibited a significant upward trend in most areas of China’s terrestrial ecosystems over the past four decades. Over 60% of Chinese grassland and over 50% of its cropland and forest exhibited a positive growth trend. The average annual GPP growth rates were 0.23 to 3.16 g C m−2 year−1 for grassland, 0.40 to 7.32 g C m−2 year−1 for cropland, and 0.67 to 7.81 g C m−2 year−1 for forest. GPPmax also indicated that the overall growth rate was above 1 g C m−2 year−1 in most regions of China. The spatial trend pattern of GPPmax closely mirrored that of GPP, although local vegetation dynamics remain uncertain. The partial correlation analysis results indicated that GPPmax controlled the interannual GPP changes in most of the terrestrial ecosystems in China. This is particularly evident in grassland, where more than 99% of the interannual variation in GPP is controlled by GPPmax. In the context of rapid global change, our study provides an accurate assessment of the long-term dynamics of GPP and the factors that regulate interannual variability across China’s terrestrial ecosystems. This is helpful for estimating and predicting the carbon budget of China’s terrestrial ecosystems.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091346
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1347: Monitoring of Herbicide Residues in
Agricultural Soils in Vojvodina Province (Northern Serbia)
Authors: Dragana Šunjka, Mira Pucarević, Sanja Lazić, Nataša Stojić, Ljiljana Milošević, Hamid El Bilali, Dragana Bošković, Slavica Vuković, Siniša Mitrić, Siniša Berjan, Aleksandra Šušnjar, Jelena Ećimović
First page: 1347
Abstract: Pesticides in soils raise concerns about the biodiversity, food safety, and contamination of watercourses, contributing to unsustainable land management practices. Monitoring the residue levels in agricultural soils is essential, as this offers valuable insights into the current extent of soil contamination and potential environmental risks attributed to their application. This study aimed to address the occurrence of the currently used herbicides in soil under intensive crop production, comparing the results of monitoring at two depths (0–30 and 30–60 cm) in 2013 and 2023. The research concerned the main agricultural area in Vojvodina Province (Serbia) and evaluated the presence of 41 herbicides in 128 localities. Pesticides were found in all samples, finding even more than six different herbicides per sample. The significant concentrations of s-metolachlor, etofumesate, clomazone, diflufenican, pendimethalin, and terbuthylazine found can be attributed to application practices, as they are typically applied pre-emergence, either through direct soil treatment with or without incorporation. Moreover, the correlation between different depths, herbicide residues, and soil properties was not significant. The decrease in the herbicide residues found in 2023 compared to the residues found in 2013 can be attributed to the implementation of good agricultural practices, which promote sustainable agricultural strategies through controlled pesticide application.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091347
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1348: Investigating the Dynamic Change and Driving
Force of Vegetation Carbon Sink in Taihang Mountain, China
Authors: Qiushi Qu, Sihui Jian, Anguo Chen, Chiwei Xiao
First page: 1348
Abstract: Vegetation plays an important role in absorbing carbon dioxide and accelerating the achievement of carbon neutrality. As the ecological barrier of North China, the Taihang Mountains are pivotal to the ecological construction project of China. Nevertheless, the dynamic development of the vegetation carbon sink in the region and the impact factors on the sink have not been systematically evaluated. This study employed a comprehensive approach, utilising remote sensing technology and meteorological and topographic data, in conjunction with the net ecosystem productivity (NEP) estimation model to reveal the characteristics of vegetation carbon sinks in the Taihang Mountain, and then revealed the dynamics evolution of the NEP and the inter-annual trend by using Theil–Sen Median slope estimation, the Mann–Kendall test, and the coefficient of dissociation and analysed the driving roles of the influencing factors by using the parameter optimal geographic detector. Our findings suggest that the NEP in the Taihang Mountain area has a clear growth trend in time, the average value of NEP in the Taihang Mountain area is 289 gC-m−2-a−1 from 2000 to 2022, and the spatial distribution shows the characteristics of high in the northeast and low in the middle and west, with a gradual increase from the northeast to the southwest; the areas with high fluctuation of NEP are mainly distributed in the areas around some cities that are susceptible to the interference of natural or anthropogenic factors. The vegetation carbon sinks in the Taihang Mountains are influenced by a variety of natural factors, among which the explanatory power of each natural factor is as follows: DEM (0.174) > temperature (0.148) > precipitation (0.026) > slope (0.017) > slope direction (0.003). The natural factor DEM had the strongest explanatory power for NEP changes, and the two-by-two effects of the natural factors on vegetation carbon sinks were all significantly stronger than the effects of a single factor, in which the interaction between DEM and precipitation had the strongest explanatory power; distinguishing from climate change factors, the contribution of anthropogenic activities to NEP changes in more than 90% of the area of the Taihang Mountainous Region was more than 60%, and the driving force of anthropogenic factors on NEP changes in the Taihang Mountainous Region was significantly stronger than that of natural climate change. The contribution of anthropogenic factors to NEP changes in the Taihang Mountains was significantly stronger than that of natural climate change. The results of this study can not only provide a reference for carbon reduction and sink increase and ecological restoration projects in the Taihang Mountains but also benefit the research paradigm of vegetation carbon sequestration in other regions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091348
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1349: Exploring Sentiment Analysis and Visitor
Satisfaction along Urban Liner Trails: A Case of the Seoul Trail, South
Korea
Authors: Sumin Lee, Won Ji Chung, Chul Jeong
First page: 1349
Abstract: Increasing public health awareness has stressed the significance of the mental and physical benefits of outdoor activities. Government involvement and support for urban redevelopment projects in Korea, such as Seoul Dulle-gil, connected previously disconnected green spaces. Despite the ecological and cultural importance of urban spaces, their impact on residents and tourists and their role in exploring the city’s dynamic remains limited. This study aims to evaluate how green space activities engage in sustainable land management and offer insights into surrounding communities. A quantitative big data research method was employed, analyzing 3995 online blog post reviews using Python code, and sentiment analysis conducted with pandas and KoNLPy’s Okt library. The results indicated that sentiment scores were generally higher in sections located south of the Han River. Among the eight trail courses, courses 6, 3, 4, and 5, located south of the Han River, exhibited higher sentiment scores compared to courses 7, 8, 2, and 1, located north of the Han River, which showed lower satisfaction levels. Among the 16 characteristics influencing visitor satisfaction, the study emphasized the importance of potential space maintenance to enhance trail user safety and community well-being, contributing to sustainable land management.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091349
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1350: Twenty Years of Land Accounts in Europe
Authors: Eva Ivits, Erika Orlitova, Roger Milego, Gergely Maucha, Barbara Kosztra, Emanuele Mancosu, Jaume Fons, Mirko Gregor, Manuel Löhnertz, Gerard Hazeu
First page: 1350
Abstract: Land use and its change impact food security, carbon cycling, biodiversity, and, hence, the condition of ecosystems to mitigate and adapt to climate change, support economic prosperity, and human well-being. To support and guide policy actions between the economy and the environment, harmonized time series datasets, transparent methodologies, and easily interpretable statistics are needed. Therefore, monitoring of the function and condition of lands and their change, along with properly agreed methodologies and freely accessible data, are essential. The Copernicus Land Monitoring Service has produced over 20 years of Corine Land Cover datasets for 39 countries in Europe, which allows continental-wide harmonized and comparable monitoring and accounting of land cover and land use change at a high thematic resolution and in a long time series (2000–2018). With the upcoming 2024 update, the time series will reach a unique product worldwide in terms of time series length, spatial resolution, extent, and thematic detail, enabling policymakers and the scientific community to address the main anthropogenic drivers of land and ecosystem degradation. This paper describes a unified approach for producing continental-wide land accounts that aligns with internationally agreed-upon standards for measuring the environment and its relationship with the economy. Furthermore, the study provides a harmonized time series of geospatial data for deriving land accounts and provides statistics of land cover and land use status and changes for a twenty-year period. All geospatial data and statistics presented in this paper are freely accessible and downloadable to serve other studies.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091350
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1351: Mangrove Ecotourism Along the Coasts of the
Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Lara G. Moussa, Midhun Mohan, Nicola Burmeister, Shalini A. L. King, John A. Burt, Stefanie M. Rog, Michael S. Watt, Susantha Udagedara, Lara Sujud, Jorge F. Montenegro, Joe Eu Heng, Susana Almeida Carvalho, Tarig Ali, Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil, Pavithra S. Pitumpe Arachchige, Jasem A. Albanai, Frida Sidik, Amin Shaban, Martha Lucia Palacios Peñaranda, Naji ElBeyrouthy, Ana Novo, Meshal M. Abdullah, Ammar Abulibdeh, Talal Al-Awadhi, Adrián Cardil, Ewane Basil Ewane
First page: 1351
Abstract: Mangrove ecotourism is gaining immense popularity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as a neoliberal conservation tool, and it has contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism sector in the region over the past two decades. However, there is no comprehensive review on the full extent of mangrove ecotourism activities and the contribution to mangrove conservation/restoration and economic growth in the region. A systematic literature review approach was used to examine the evolution of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 55 articles were retrieved from the Google and Google Scholar search engines, and the Scopus and Web of Science databases were incorporated. We synthesized the results and provided perspectives on the following: (1) the geographical and temporal distribution of studies in relation to mangrove extent, (2) key sites, attractions, and values for mangrove ecotourism activities, (3) the positive and negative impacts of mangrove ecotourism, and (4) existing mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for the growth of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries. The findings underscore the significance of mangrove ecotourism in supporting economic development, protecting coastal ecosystems, and sustaining local livelihoods in the GCC countries. However, this study highlights the crucial need for sustainable coastal environmental management through integrated land use planning and zoning to address the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism attractions. The use of remote sensing tools is invaluable in the monitoring of mangrove ecosystems and associated ecotourism impacts for informing evidence-based conservation and restoration management approaches. Thus, harnessing mangrove ecotourism opportunities can help the GCC countries with balancing economic growth, coastal environmental sustainability, and community well-being.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-24
DOI: 10.3390/land13091351
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1352: Coastal Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Bridge
between the Natural Ecosystem and Social Ecosystem for Sustainable
Development
Authors: Yuqing Zhao, Zenglin Han, Changren Zhang, Yuqiao Wang, Jingqiu Zhong, Mengfan Gao
First page: 1352
Abstract: Cultural Ecosystem Services (CESs), as non-material benefits and well-being provided by ecosystems to humans, possess the ability to bridge nature and human society and interpret their complex interrelationships. Coastal areas are regions with concentrated human activities, where coastal zones are often subject to human development, pollution, and degradation. Compared to other ecosystems, coastal ecosystems face greater pressures and threats, and the cultural services they provide are more vulnerable. Research on coastal ecosystem cultural services needs to consider ecosystem vulnerability and find ways to protect and restore ecosystem functions. Therefore, this paper explores the intrinsic logical system and feasibility of guiding natural resource management and enhancing human well-being through coastal CESs, discussing related research data acquisition, method analysis, and perceptual application. Based on this, this paper analyzes the development trends of coastal CESs in natural resource management and enhancing human well-being from aspects such as biodiversity, human–nature interaction processes, cultural heritage conservation, local economic development, and community management. Finally, it proposes advancing the in-depth research of coastal CESs from the perspectives of integrating multi-source data, interdisciplinary development, and incorporating CESs into policy making, providing theoretical support for the systematic study of rational resource utilization and sustainable ecosystem development.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091352
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1353: Rediscovering Valley Hillslopes: Their Forms,
Uses, and Considerations in Urban Planning Documents
Authors: Giacomo Dallatorre, Lauriano Pepe, Serge Schmitz
First page: 1353
Abstract: Re-considering the interactions between society and natural resources is fundamental in pursuing sustainability and adaptation to climate change in cities. The representation in urban planning instruments reveals an inadequate consideration of valley hillslopes as interface systems or as ‘places’ with possible multiple roles and meanings for populations. Beyond landslide and flooding considerations, valley hillslopes are scarcely identified as distinct entities from the valley and the plateau, investigated as sites of diverse possible uses, and analysed in terms of which variables related to the relief’s forms influence their use. Confronting urban planning instruments that reduce slopes to building spaces, this contribution advocates for a specific representation of valley hillslopes, highlighting the environment’s variety within which the system interacts, the diversity of uses, and the interrelationships between form and land cover. By combining GIS mapping and statistical analysis, this research proposes a multi-scalar approach based on identifying valley hillslopes delineated trough minimum units (geochore), integrated with land cover clustering and an analysis of the potential relations between land cover and six explanatory variables. The research points out the singularity and complexity of valley hillslopes, which should be incorporated into urban planning policy as potential cultural, ecological, or recreational resources for populations.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091353
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1354: Application of Machine Learning and
Multi-Dimensional Perception in Urban Spatial Quality Evaluation: A Case
Study of Shanghai Underground Pedestrian Street
Authors: Tianning Yao, Yao Xu, Liang Sun, Pan Liao, Jin Wang
First page: 1354
Abstract: The exploitation of urban subsurface space in urban inventory planning is closely connected to the quality of urban environments. Currently, the construction of underground pedestrian streets is characterised by inefficiency and traffic congestion, making them insufficient for fulfilling the demand for well-designed and human-centred spaces. In the study of spatial quality, traditional evaluation methods, such as satellite remote sensing and street maps, often suffer from low accuracy and slow updating rates, and they frequently overlook human perceptual evaluations. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop a set of spatial quality evaluation methods incorporating pedestrian perspectives, thereby addressing the neglect of subjective human experiences in spatial quality research. This study first quantifies and clusters the characteristics of underground pedestrian spaces using spatial syntax. It then gathers multidimensional perception data from selected locations and ultimately analyses and predicts the results employing machine learning techniques, specifically Random Forest and XGBoost. The research results indicate variability in pedestrians’ evaluations of spatial quality across different functionally oriented spaces. Key factors influencing these evaluations include Gorgeous, Warm, Good Ventilation, and Flavour indicators. The study proposes a comprehensive and applicable spatial quality evaluation model integrating spatial quantification methods, machine learning algorithms, and multidimensional perception measurements. The development of this model offers valuable scientific guidance for the planning and construction of high-quality urban public spaces.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091354
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1355: Spatial Distribution and Location Determinants
of High-Tech Firms in Shenzhen, a Chinese National Innovative City
Authors: Lu Cui, Jing Shen, Zhuolin Mai, Chenghui Lin, Shaogu Wang
First page: 1355
Abstract: The development of high-tech firms is a vital driver for the economic growth of a city but their distribution and location determinants at the intra-urban level are still unclear. We aim to deepen the understanding of location determinants of high-tech firms, so we construct an analytical framework and use GeoDetector to investigate high-tech firms in Shenzhen based on firms and POI open data in 2023. We find that high-tech firms are distributed in a spatial pattern of ‘one core and six clusters’ with high density in the western area despite industrial heterogeneity. Agglomeration economies and amenity-based factors play a significant role in the distribution of high-tech firms. Institutional factors and classical locational factors have more significant effects on the location of high-tech service and manufacturing firms, respectively. This study contributes to the literature on study spatial units, the influence of amenities, and industrial specificities. These findings highlight public policies on industrial park planning, transportation systems, and public services.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091355
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1356: Water–Energy–Food Nexus in the
Yellow River Basin of China under the Influence of Multiple Policies
Authors: Yikun Zhang, Yongsheng Wang
First page: 1356
Abstract: The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus constitutes a pivotal aspect of regional ecological protection and high-quality development. The exertion of multiple WEF-related policies would engender both synergies and trade-offs within the WEF nexus. However, a quantified framework that integrates the impact of multiple WEF-related policies with conventional WEF nexus assessments and simulations is currently lacking. This study quantified the WEF nexus in the Yellow River basin (YRB) of China under the influence of multiple policies, calculated the current and future WEF scores under different policy combination scenarios using the improved entropy weight method, the auto-regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model, and the linear optimization method. The results revealed the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, WEF overall scores and subsystem scores were substantially increased with spatial heterogeneity. (2) Scenario analysis indicated that policy implementation would generally accelerate WEF score improvements in each city, yet embracing all policies simultaneously was not optimal for each city. (3) The spatial heterogeneity in policy impacts was also found in the YRB, with higher trade-offs in the upper reaches of cities, and higher synergies in the middle and lower reaches of cities. To attain high-quality development within the YRB, the related policies’ implementation should consider the regional disparities and enhance the optimization of resource allocation across the regions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091356
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1357: Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in
Informal Settlements of the Global South: A Critical Review
Authors: Emal Ahmad Hussainzad, Zhonghua Gou
First page: 1357
Abstract: This study investigated the climatic risks and vulnerabilities of informal settlements in the Global South, as well as the extent to which these risks impact the vulnerabilities. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2009 methodology and deductive content analysis, this study critically examined 69 documents, including 28 scholarly journal articles obtained from Scopus and ScienceDirect and 41 web-based releases identified through the Google search engine and snowballing technique. Document inclusion criteria focused on the relevance to climate risks and vulnerabilities, excluding non-peer-reviewed, non-English, and unreliable sources, as well as irrelevant studies. Seven major climate risks impacting informal settlements were identified: floods (44), temperature changes (41), storms (31), sea level rise (30), drought (28), rainfall (23), and landslides (14). The primary vulnerabilities highlighted were poor housing conditions (64), health risks (50), lack of basic services (49), inadequate sanitation (41), inadequate hygiene (39), and limited access to water (38). The combination of vulnerabilities and climate risks creates considerable direct, indirect, and low-level threats to informal settlements. Despite Asia, Africa, and Latin America’s vulnerability, most studies focused on formal and developed areas. The findings highlight the critical need for climate adaptation strategies in informal settlements of the Global South to ensure the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are met.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091357
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1358: How Land Transfer Affects Agricultural Carbon
Emissions: Evidence from China
Authors: Jian Li, Lingyan Jiang, Shuhua Zhang
First page: 1358
Abstract: The effects of land transfer on agricultural carbon emissions and their underlying mechanisms must be investigated if we are to achieve sustainable development and environmentally friendly high-quality agricultural development. This research experimentally investigated the spatial impacts of land transfer on agricultural carbon emissions and their underlying causes using multiple econometric models based on provincial panel data covering the years 2010 to 2022. The results allow us to draw the following conclusions: (1) Land transfer significantly inhibits agricultural carbon emissions. This conclusion remained valid after various robustness checks, including a reduction in sample size, change model type, and adjustment of geographical regions. (2) Rural socialized services play a positive moderating role in the process of land transfer to curb agricultural carbon emissions.(3) Land transfer has a substantial spillover effect on agricultural carbon emissions, resulting in significantly reduced emissions in the immediate area and nearby regions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091358
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1359: Analysis of Spatial Divergence in Bird
Diversity Driven by Built Environment Characteristics of Ecological
Corridors in High-Density Urban Areas
Authors: Di Wang, Lang Zhang, Qicheng Zhong, Guilian Zhang, Xuanying Chen, Qingping Zhang
First page: 1359
Abstract: Urban ecological corridors play an important role in facilitating bird migration and maintaining biodiversity in urban landscapes as key connections between habitat patches. However, the effects of built environment characteristics of urban ecological corridors on bird diversity have not been well understood. In this study, we used Minhang District, Shanghai, as an example to describe the built environment of urban ecological corridors through three dimensions (habitat characteristics, degree of surrounding urbanization, and degree of slow-traffic connectivity). We calculated species richness, abundance, Shannon–Wiener index, and Simpson Index to assess bird diversity based on the bird observation dataset from the Citizen Science Data Sharing Platform. The effects of built environment characteristics of urban ecological corridors on bird diversity were quantified by the Generalized Linear Model. The results showed that: (1) There were significant differences in the built environment characteristics of urban ecological corridors, which formed the spatial differentiation pattern of bird diversity. (2) Different built environment features of urban ecological corridors have different impacts on bird diversity. Habitat suitability of urban ecological corridors was positively correlated with bird diversity, with birds preferring to inhabit waters with an area of more than 1 ha. The degree of urbanization was negatively correlated with bird diversity, with distance to the center of the area proving to have the strongest positive effect. The degree of slow-traffic connectivity proved that low-intensity human activities in urban ecological corridors had a lower impact on bird diversity. The above findings can provide scientific reference for the construction of urban and regional ecological networks in the future.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091359
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1360: Assessing the Effects of Climate Variability on
Maize Yield in the Municipality of Dschang—Cameroon
Authors: Coretta Tchouandem Nzali, Cherifa Abdelbaki, Navneet Kumar
First page: 1360
Abstract: Evidence-based research on the effects of rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity variability on maize yield is essential for understanding the climate dynamics of, and paving the way for informed adaptive solutions to future potential negative impacts in, Dschang-Cameroon. This study employed the non-parametric Mann–Kendall and Sen’s slope method to detect trends in climate variables and maize yield in the period between 1990 to 2018. Pearson correlation and multilinear regression (MLR) analyses were also used to establish the linear relationship between climate variables and maize yield, and to explore the behavior of the response variable (maize yield) with the predictor variables (climatic variables), respectively. In addition, perceptions of climate variability and its impact on maize yield from a hundred farmers were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS. Twenty key informants’ interviews (KII) were conducted using a semi-structured interview and analyzed by thematic analysis. The results showed that the minimum temperature exhibited a decreasing trend at a rate of 0.039 °C per annum, whereas relative humidity had an increasing trend of 0.25% per annum with statistical significance at p = 0.001. In addition, a decreasing trend of rainfall, at a rate of 4.94 mm per annum, was observed; however, this had no statistical significance. Furthermore, the MLR analysis showed that mean temperature and relative humidity have an inversely proportional but statistically significant relationship with maize yield (p = 0.046 and p = 0.001, respectively). The analysis of farmers’ perceptions confirmed the results of trend analyses of decreasing rainfall and increasing maximum temperatures. Moreover, the farmers asserted that the vulnerability of farmers to climate variability is also linked to gender and locality, where women’s outputs are more assailable and farms in low-lying areas are more prone to floods. The high price of farm inputs was also reported as a key factor, other than climate variability, hindering the flourishing of the maize sector in Dschang. Finally, an analysis of the KII indicated the inadequate implementation of flagship agricultural programs in the locality.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-25
DOI: 10.3390/land13091360
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1361: Risk Mapping of Geological Hazards in Plateau
Mountainous Areas Based on Multisource Remote Sensing Data Extraction and
Machine Learning (Fuyuan, China)
Authors: Shaohan Zhang, Shucheng Tan, Yongqi Sun, Duanyu Ding, Wei Yang
First page: 1361
Abstract: Selecting the most effective prediction model and correctly identifying the main disaster-driving factors in a specific region are the keys to addressing the challenges of geological hazards. Fuyuan County is a typical plateau mountainous town, and slope geological hazards occur frequently. Therefore, it is highly important to study the spatial distribution characteristics of hazards in this area, explore machine learning models that can be highly matched with the geological environment of the study area, and improve the accuracy and reliability of the slope geological hazard risk zoning map (SGHRZM). This paper proposes a hazard mapping research method based on multisource remote sensing data extraction and machine learning. In this study, we visualize the risk level of geological hazards in the study area according to 10 pathogenic factors. Moreover, the accuracy of the disaster point list was verified on the spot. The results show that the coupling model can maximize the respective advantages of the models used and has highest mapping accuracy, and the area under the curve (AUC) is 0.923. The random forest (RF) model was the leader in terms of which single model performed best, with an AUC of 0.909. The grid search algorithm (GSA) is an efficient parameter optimization technique that can be used as a preferred method to improve the accuracy of a model. The list of disaster points extracted from remote sensing images is highly reliable. The high-precision coupling model and the single model have good adaptability in the study area. The research results can provide not only scientific references for local government departments to carry out disaster management work but also technical support for relevant research in surrounding mountainous towns.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091361
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1362: Research on Site Selection Planning of Urban
Parks Based on POI and Machine Learning—Taking Guangzhou City as an
Example
Authors: Xiaoxiang Tang, Cheng Zou, Chang Shu, Mengqing Zhang, Huicheng Feng
First page: 1362
Abstract: Against the background of smart city construction and the increasing application of big data in the field of planning, a method is proposed to effectively improve the objectivity, scientificity, and global nature of urban park siting, taking Guangzhou and its current urban park layout as an example. The proposed approach entails integrating POI data and innovatively applying machine learning algorithms to construct a decision tree model to make predictions for urban park siting. The results show that (1) the current layout of urban parks in Guangzhou is significantly imbalanced and has blind zones, and with an expansion of the search radius, the distribution becomes more concentrated; high-density areas decrease from the center outward in a circle, which manifests as a pattern of high aggregation at the core and low dispersion at the edge. (2) Urban park areas with a service pressure of level 3 have the largest coverage and should be prioritized for construction as much as possible; there are fewer areas at levels 4 and 5, which are mainly concentrated in the central city, and unreasonable resource allocation is a problem that needs to be solved urgently. (3) There was a preliminary prediction of 6825 sites suitable for planning, and the fit with existing city parks was 93.7%. The prediction results were reasonable, and the method was feasible. After further screening through the coupling and superposition of the service pressure and the layout status quo, 1537 locations for priority planning were finally obtained. (4) Using the ID3 machine learning algorithm to predict urban park sites is conducive to the development of an overall optimal layout, and subjectivity in site selection can be avoided, providing a methodological reference for the planning and construction of other infrastructure or the optimization of layouts.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091362
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1363: Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) to
Hazard Disruption: Case Study of a Peri-Urban Agricultural Community in
Thailand
Authors: Alisa Sahavacharin, Fa Likitswat, Kim N. Irvine, Lihoun Teang
First page: 1363
Abstract: The expansion of cities and land use changes have led to the emergence of peri-urban areas representing a transition between fully urbanized and agricultural regions in Southeast Asia. Peri-urban communities provide essential ecosystem services but are vulnerable to climate-related disruptions and socioeconomic challenges. Utilizing their unique characteristics, peri-urban communities can contribute to sustainable development and resilience. This study assesses the potential of peri-urban areas to meet future challenges for sustainable development in a changing world, focusing on the local pandan farming community of Pathum Thani, approximately 53 km north of Bangkok, using the Community-Based Resilience Analysis (CoBRA) approach. A formally established group of peri-urban farming households identified COVID-19, water quality, and solid waste as their primary disruptive challenges. The community identified economic stability and resources (land ownership, financial security, and government support), community and social support (collaborative community, and healthcare facilities), an environmental dimension (sufficient food and clean water), and an information dimension (news and knowledge update) as key community resilience characteristics, which highlight their comprehensive approach to hazard resilience. The study concludes that the community was moderately resilient to hazards and COVID-19 was the primary disrupting event over the past 10 years. To address future challenges in peri-urban agriculture, it is suggested to focus on enhancing economic diversification, strengthening social networks and support systems, implementing sustainable land management practices, and promoting access to timely and accurate information. Additionally, investing in infrastructure for water management and waste recycling, supporting small-scale farming initiatives, and fostering collaboration between farmers and local authorities can contribute to building resilience in peri-urban agricultural communities.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091363
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1364: Quality of Life and Attachments to Rural
Authors: Aleksandra Tešin, Aleksandra S. Dragin, Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić, Tamara Jovanović, Zrinka Zadel, Tamara Surla, Kristina Košić, Juan Manuel Amezcua-Ogáyar, Alberto Calahorro-López, Boris Kuzman, Vladimir Stojanović
First page: 1364
Abstract: Balanced territorial development and improving living conditions have become the focus of rural development policies. As the number of young people moving to cities or other countries is increasing, rural settlements face serious demographic disbalances and aging societies. Quality of life and place attachment are both key variables in enhancing the social and economic capacities of rural and undeveloped communities and reducing youth out-migration. However, this topic remains underexplored, especially among younger generations, who are critical for further socio-economic sustainability. Thus, the main goal of this study was to explore young residents’ perceptions about quality of life, level of attachment to their rural homes, and their interrelationship. This study was conducted among 299 participants in rural areas of Serbia and Croatia. The results identified two quality of life factors: (1) satisfaction with the quality of infrastructure and (2) satisfaction with culture and education. Three attachment factors were extracted, among which place identity was the strongest. Additionally, the influence of quality of life and socio-demographic characteristics on place attachment was confirmed. These results provide new insights that could be very useful in creating strategies and initiatives for rural planning and strengthening rural areas’ social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091364
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1365: Green and Low Carbon Development Performance in
Farmland Use Regulation: A Case Study of Liyang City, China
Authors: Yaoben Lin, Xuewen Wang, Guangyu Li, Wei Shen
First page: 1365
Abstract: Farmland use regulation strictly regulates the conversion of agricultural land for other agricultural purposes and the construction of agricultural facilities, thereby optimizing the land use pattern in rural areas. However, different measures and intensities of farmland use regulation can affect the overall performance of green and low-carbon development in rural areas. This study utilizes system dynamics modeling and simulation to conduct a case study based on current land use data from 10 towns in Liyang City, China. The empirical results indicate the following: (1) Based on comprehensive measurements of green and low carbon development performance, Liyang City exhibits a pattern of higher indices in the south and lower indices in the north. Towns such as Tianmu Lake, Daibu, and Shezhu show relatively high average comprehensive indices of 0.31, 0.30, and 0.28, significantly higher than other towns. (2) Simulation of farmland use regulation’s impact on green and low carbon development performance reveals that Scenario One, involving additional construction land occupying farmland, achieves a comprehensive index of only 0.23, significantly lower than the other scenarios. (3) Based on calculations and field surveys, Liyang City’s villages are categorized into four types, with the largest number being industry-integrated villages (94 villages). Accordingly, policies for farmland use regulation are designed for different village types. Therefore, future farmland use regulation should be tailored with differentiated institutional designs according to the development needs of different villages. This study’s findings provide insights into green and low-carbon development in rural areas.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091365
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1366: Monitoring the Sustainability of the EU Biomass
Supply: A Novel Hybrid Approach Combining Tracing and Selected
Sustainability Impacts
Authors: Paola Pozo, Matthias Bösch, Jörg Schweinle
First page: 1366
Abstract: In an attempt to make a first step toward monitoring the sustainability of wood as (one of) the main element(s) of the EU biomass supply, a novel approach combining a physical accounting model with a material flow–life cycle assessment approach was used to trace the locations of origin of the wood and the associated sustainability impacts. Applying this approach to EU trade data from 2018, we found that around one-third of the wood fiber input in finished paper products consumed in the EU was imported. The main countries of origin were Brazil, the United States and Uruguay. We used Uruguay as a case study of an important country that provides wood pulp to assess the associated sustainability impacts. The results reveal synergies and trade-offs between employment, value added and environmental impacts. We highlight the need to analyze sustainability impacts in different dimensions of sustainability and consider not only territorial impacts in isolation but also from a global perspective in order to have a more holistic overview. Future extensions of the approach could include the coverage of other commodities, additional impacts along the global supply chain (e.g., post-use) and additional sustainability indicators.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091366
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1367: Economic Valuation of Nature’s
Contributions in the Antarctic: Extension of the Nature’s
Contributions to People Conceptual Framework
Authors: Jinfang Pu, Jinming Yan
First page: 1367
Abstract: The Antarctic region harbors abundant natural resources that constitute a common heritage site for humankind. However, given climate change and global resource scarcity, natural resource management has emerged as a pivotal issue in Antarctic governance. Assessing the value of natural resources is fundamental and crucial for ensuring their sustainable utilization and conservation. This study attempted to promote decision-makers’ understanding of the Antarctic using nature’s contribution to people (NCP) and provide an evaluation of the value of natural resources in the Antarctic, thereby contributing to sustainable global development. It developed a conceptual framework for evaluating natural resource values in the NCP, which includes scope delimitation, type identification, and value assessment. Economic value assessments were conducted for key NCPs in Antarctica. Based on existing biological, physical, and economic data, our initial estimates indicate that the economic value of the realized NCP is approximately 2.46 trillion CNY, with regulating NCP accounting for roughly 70% of the total value. If the potential NCP in the Antarctic were realized at foreseeable scientific and technological levels, the total economic value would reach approximately 105.62 trillion CNY. Regulating NCP accounted for most of the total value, but material NCP accounted for more than 20%. Overall, the development of natural resources and environmental protection are two sides of the same coin in the Antarctic, and there may be trade-offs between different NCPs. With increasing human activity, many NCP may be lost in the Antarctic region. This study develops a new perspective on the valuation of nature’s contributions to the Antarctic. The evaluation results can provide scientific evidence for decision-making and management of the development and utilization of natural resources in the Antarctic.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091367
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1368: Trade-Off and Coordination between Development
and Ecological Protection of Urban Agglomerations along Rivers: A Case
Study of Urban Agglomerations in the Shandong Section of the Lower Yellow
River
Authors: Anbei Liu, Tingting Yan, Shengxiang Shi, Weijun Zhao, Sihang Ke, Fangshu Zhang
First page: 1368
Abstract: Urban development of clusters situated along rivers significantly affects the health of the river ecosystems, the quality of urban environments, and the overall well-being of local communities. Ecosystem service supply value (ESSV) measures the delivery of ecosystem goods and services within a specific timeframe in a particular area. Using the lower Yellow River urban agglomeration (Shandong section) as a case, we comprehensively applied land use structure and intensity change analysis, quantitative calculation of ESS, and geographical probe methods to unveil ESS and its mechanism of response to the spatio-temporal evolution of the intensity of land use in urban agglomeration along the river. The key results were as follows: (1) Over the past two decades, farmland and construction land areas have continued to decrease and increase, respectively, with the intensity of land use change being highest from 2005 to 2010. (2) ESS has continued to rise over the past 20 years, with the income in 2020 being 11.142 billion yuan, an increase of 31.13%. The “low-value areas” are mainly concentrated in Liaocheng City, Dezhou City, and Tai’an City, which are characterized by predominantly flat terrains where farmland constitutes the principal land use type. Conversely, “high-value areas” are largely in the counties bordering the Yellow River, including the upper estuary in the north and the rugged, southeastern terrains. (3) Areas with concentrated ESSV were primarily localized in the northern estuary area and along the Yellow River in a scattered point-like pattern. The spatial distribution of hotspots has become increasingly concentrated, transitioning from points to planes. Conversely, cold spots initially increased in number before subsequently decreasing. Waterbody was the most sensitive ESSV-determining factor. (4) The spatial heterogeneity of ESSV emerges as a consequence of the interaction of multiple factors, and among these interactions, those involving NDVI and POP contain the greatest explanatory power. Our findings are expected to offer a scientific foundation for optimizing land spatial patterns and enhancing ecological management in the lower Yellow River region.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091368
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1369: Revisiting Gubbio: Settlement Patterns and
Ritual from the Middle Palaeolithic to the Roman Era
Authors: Marianna Negro, Nicholas Whitehead, Caroline Malone, Simon Stoddart
First page: 1369
Abstract: The Gubbio Revisited project, initiated to reinterpret the archaeological evidence collected during the 1980s Gubbio Project, primarily by a conversion from a paper to a digital record, has revealed significant insights into the evolving settlement patterns and religious expression in the Gubbio valley in Central Italy. This reanalysis of the survey evidence underscores the rhythms of settlement and ritual practice from the Neolithic through the Bronze and Iron Ages, into Roman times. Key excavations in the 1980s at Monte Ingino, Monte Ansciano, San Marco Romano, and San Marco Neolitico added details not only of settlement activity but also of embedded ritual, evidenced by material culture including pottery, faunal remains, and votive offerings. The foundation myth of indigenous religious practices, even amidst Roman influence, is documented through the Iguvine Tables alongside the introduction of new cults, showcasing a blend of local and imperial religiosity, a common feature in the Roman world. This research enriches the understanding of Gubbio’s historical and cultural landscape, emphasizing the demographic rhythms of the valley alongside the integral role of ritual in its societal evolution.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-26
DOI: 10.3390/land13091369
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1370: Effects of Spatial Type and Scale of Small
Urban Open Spaces on Perceived Restoration: An Online Survey-Based
Experiment
Authors: Yujia Zhai, Binbin Fan, Jingyao Yu, Ruoyu Gong, Jie Yin
First page: 1370
Abstract: Small urban open spaces are critical components of high-density urban environments, and could bring multiple health benefits. However, the factors related to the restorative effect of these small urban open spaces are not well studied. This study explored how site type (lawn, water, and plaza) and spatial scales (10 × 10 m, 20 × 20 m, 30 × 30 m, and 40 × 40 m) might be associated with small urban open space’s restorative effects. We created the virtual scene images of the 12 sites and used PRS-11 to measure 1130 participants’ perceived restoration when viewing those images. The results indicated that lawn has the highest restorative effects, and are the most preferred. No significant differences in the restorative effects of sites with different spatial scales were detected, even a 10 × 10 m site has considerable restorative effects. We found high preference contributes to larger differences in the restorative effects of lawns and plazas. Those who prefer the sites may gain more restoration increases when viewing lawn scenes compared to plaza scenes. Moreover, adults over 50 years old have higher perceived restorations, and young adults aged 18–25 have a greater increase in restoration between plaza scenes and natural scenes, indicating young adults could benefit more from the building of small green spaces. These findings have direct implications for design practice. More small urban open spaces of lawn and water should be built to provide more restoration benefits, especially for young people.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-27
DOI: 10.3390/land13091370
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1371: Exploring Trade-Offs and Synergies in
Social–Ecological System Services across Ecological Engineering
Impact Regions: Insights from South China Karst
Authors: Lu Luo, Kangning Xiong, Yi Chen, Wenfang Zhang, Yongyao Li, Dezhi Wang
First page: 1371
Abstract: Karst ecosystems have become complex social–ecological systems (SESs) as a result of the interventions of large-scale ecological restoration programs, and the ecosystem services (ESs) that provide regional well-being can, to some extent, be described as social–ecological system services (S–ESs). Understanding the relationships among multiple S–ESs and exploring their drivers are essential for effective ecological management in karst areas, especially in regions differently affected by ecological engineering programs. Taking South China Karst (SCK) as a study area, we first identified two regions as comparative boundaries, namely significant engineering impact regions (SEERs) and non-significant ecological engineering impact regions (NEERs). Then we used ES assessment models, Spearman correlation, and optimal parameter geographic detector to identify the supply capacity, trade-offs/synergies, and their drivers of six types of S–ESs in SEERs and NEERs. The findings included: (1) SEERs were predominantly concentrated in the central and southern SCK regions, accounting for 33.98% of the total SCK area, with the most concentrated distribution observed in Guizhou and Guangxi. (2) Within the entire SCK, six S–ESs maintained a relatively stable spatial distribution pattern over time, with the most pronounced increase in soil conservation and a slight decrease in water retention, and the S–ES hotspots were more concentrated within the SEERs. (3) Most S–ES pairs within SEERs were optimized synergistically, with lower trade-off intensity and higher synergy intensity compared to NEERs. (4) S–ES pairs were affected by the interactions between the natural and socio-economic factors, with land use changes playing a crucial role, and natural factors were difficult to predict but cannot be ignored. Based on the results, we propose different SES sustainable development suggestions, with a view to providing theoretical support for the optimization of SES functions and the consolidating of integrated ecological construction.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-27
DOI: 10.3390/land13091371
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1372: Management on Transfer Pricing of Farmland
Based on the Supply–Demand Mismatches for Multifunction: A Case
Study from China
Authors: Lijun Wu, Gaofeng Ren
First page: 1372
Abstract: Realizing the multifunctional value of farmland is essential for regulating the pricing of farmland transfers and stabilizing the rural land market. However, in China, the mismatch between supply and demand leads to improper resource allocation, weakens the explicit value of farmland, and causes unreasonable transfer pricing mechanisms that threaten agricultural production and food security. This study develops an analytical framework to examine the relationship between farmland multifunction and transfer pricing from a supply–demand perspective. An evaluation index system is constructed, considering the physical, value, and material quantities. This study uses the matching index method and bivariate spatial autocorrelation to analyze the supply–demand match of farmland multifunction from 2014 to 2021 and its relationship with transfer prices. Additionally, management methods and strategies for dynamic zoning-based pricing under multifunctional matching trade-offs are proposed. The results show that: (1) There is significant heterogeneity in the supply and demand matching degree of different farmland functions in both space and time. The production and ecological functions of farmland are oversupplied, while the living functions are undersupplied. (2) Different spatial autocorrelation relationships exist between the degree of supply and demand matching of farmland functions and farmland transfer prices. Specifically, the supply and demand matching degrees of the production and living functions show a significant negative spatial correlation with farmland transfer prices. In contrast, the ecological function shows a significant positive spatial correlation with farmland transfer prices, which are continuously strengthening over time. (3) Based on the supply and demand matching situation of different farmland functions and the spatial autocorrelation of farmland transfer prices, nine types of regions are delineated for farmland functions. Among them, the surplus-coordinated development areas have the most cities, accounting for about 40%, with a wide distribution range. This study proposes zoning-based pricing instruments and management strategies. This research provides valuable insights for developing countries seeking to alleviate conflicts in multifunctional land use, enhance the sustainable protection of land resources, and improve land resource assessment frameworks.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-27
DOI: 10.3390/land13091372
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1373: Cynodon dactylon and Sediment Interaction in
the Three Gorges Reservoir: Insights from a Three-Year Study
Authors: Xuemei Yi, Yuanyang Huang, Qiao Xing, Qiao Chen, Shengjun Wu
First page: 1373
Abstract: Sediment deposition is critical in maintaining riparian plant communities by providing essential nutrients and posing growth challenges. This study focuses on Cynodon dactylon, a dominant clonal species in the riparian zones of the Three Gorges Reservoir, and its interaction with sediment deposition over three years. Results indicated an average sediment deposition depth of 2.85 cm in the lower riparian regions. Observations revealed that C. dactylon coverage increased progressively at lower elevations despite its dominance diminishing with rising elevation levels. Additionally, positive linear correlations between C. dactylon coverage and sediment deposition depths were identified during flood periods, underscoring the species’ role in enhancing sediment deposition. These findings suggest that C. dactylon plays a significant role in sediment accumulation, which may bolster its growth and survival prospects during subsequent growing cycles. The study highlights the importance of riparian vegetation, mainly perennial clonal species like C. dactylon, in promoting sediment accumulation and contributing to the stability and functionality of riparian ecosystems.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-27
DOI: 10.3390/land13091373
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1374: Impact of Urbanization-Driven Land Use Changes
on Runoff in the Upstream Mountainous Basin of Baiyangdian, China: A
Multi-Scenario Simulation Study
Authors: Yuan Gong, Xin Geng, Ping Wang, Shi Hu, Xunming Wang
First page: 1374
Abstract: Urbanization in the Haihe River Basin in northern China, particularly the upstream mountainous basin of Baiyangdian, has significantly altered land use and runoff processes. The runoff is a key water source for downstream areas like Baiyangdian and the Xiong’an New Area, making it essential to understand these changes’ implications for water security. However, the exact implications of these processes remain unclear. To address this gap, a simulation framework combining SWAT+ and CLUE-S was used to analyze runoff responses under different land use scenarios: natural development (ND), farmland protection (FP), and ecological protection (EP). The model simulation results were good, with NSE above 0.7 for SWAT+. The Kappa coefficient for CLUE-S model validation was 0.83. The further study found that from 2005 to 2015, urban construction land increased by 11.50 km2 per year, leading to a 0.5–1.3 mm rise in annual runoff. Although urban expansion continued, the other scenarios, which emphasized farmland and forest preservation, slowed this growth. Monthly runoff changes were most significant during the rainy season, with annual runoff in ND, FP, and EP varying by 8.9%, 10.9%, and 7.7%, respectively. While the differences in annual runoff between scenarios were not dramatic, these findings provide a theoretical foundation for future water resource planning and management in the upstream mountainous area of Baiyangdian and offer valuable insights for the sustainable development of Xiong’an New Area. Additionally, these results contribute to the broader field of hydrology by highlighting the importance of considering multiple land use scenarios in runoff change analysis.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091374
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1375: Ecologically Regenerative Building Systems
through Exergy Efficiency: Designing for Structural Order and Ecosystem
Services
Authors: Katharina Hecht, Abraham Ortega Reboso, Michelle van der Vegt, Jaco Appelman, Maibritt Pedersen Zari
First page: 1375
Abstract: Regenerative design is being increasingly explored in urban environments to counteract and adapt to the changing climate and degradation of ecosystems. A critical success factor for the implementation of regenerative design is the evaluation of urban and building systems in relation to ecological performance and benefits. In biological ecosystems, the availability of high-quality energy, called exergy, and structural order can be used as indicators of the efficiency of on-going ecological processes. Structural order refers to the organization and systematic arrangements of biotic and abiotic elements within an ecosystem based on the available space and interactions with the goal to form a functional system. Ecological processes use the available exergy and generate ecosystem services (ESs) upon which human survival and that of other living organisms depend. In this article, structural order and ESs generation are proposed as indicators for exergy efficiency and accumulation in building systems, respectively, which can evaluate to what extent they are ecologically functional and regenerative. Based on this insight, design strategies are derived from the functioning of ecosystems that describe how buildings could become habitats that host living, non-living, and hybrid systems with optimized thermodynamic efficiency and that can generate ESs. This research suggests that when buildings improve structural order (an ecological concept) and implement ESs generating processes similar to biological ecosystems, they can facilitate regenerative processes more effectively that consume and generate resources and, with this, destroy but also accumulate exergy.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091375
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1376: Uncertainty Assessment of Species Distribution
Prediction Using Multiple Global Climate Models on the Tibetan Plateau: A
Case Study of Gentiana yunnanensis and Gentiana siphonantha
Authors: Yuxin Song, Xiaoting Xu, Shuoying Zhang, Xiulian Chi
First page: 1376
Abstract: Species distribution models (SDMs) have been widely used to project how species respond to future climate changes as forecasted by global climate models (GCMs). While uncertainties in GCMs specific to the Tibetan Plateau have been acknowledged, their impacts on species distribution modeling needs to be explored. Here, we employed ten algorithms to evaluate the uncertainties of SDMs across four GCMs (ACCESS-CM2, CMCC-ESM2, MPI-ESM1-2-HR, and UKESM1-0-LL) under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) at two time stages. We selected two endemic species of the Tibetan Plateau, Gentiana yunnanensis and G. siphonantha, distributed in the Hengduan Mountain regions of the southeast plateau and northeast plateau regions, respectively, as case studies. Under the two SSPs and two time periods, there are significant differences in the distribution areas of G. yunnanensis predicted by different GCMs, with some showing increases and others showing decreases. In contrast, the distribution range trends for G. siphonantha predicted by different GCMs are consistent, initially increasing and then decreasing. The CMCC-ESM2 model predicted the largest increase in the distribution range of G. yunnanensis, while the UKESM1-0-LL model predicted the greatest decrease in the distribution range of G. siphonantha. Our findings highlight that the four selected GCMs still lead to some variations in the final outcome despite the existence of similar trends. We recommend employing the average values from the four selected GCMs to simulate species potential distribution under future climate change scenarios to mitigate uncertainties among GCMs.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091376
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1377: Use of an Adaptive-Vegetation Model to Restore
Degraded Tropical Peat Swamp Forest to Support Climate Resilience
Authors: I. Wayan Susi Dharmawan, Yunita Lisnawati, Hengki Siahaan, Bambang Tejo Premono, Mohamad Iqbal, Ahmad Junaedi, Niken Sakuntaladewi, Bastoni, Ridwan Fauzi, Ramawati, Ardiyanto Wahyu Nugroho, Ni Kadek Erosi Undaharta, Anang Setiawan Achmadi, Titiek Setyawati, Chairil Anwar Siregar, Pratiwi, Sona Suhartana, Soenarno, Dulsalam, Asep Sukmana
First page: 1377
Abstract: Climate change poses significant challenges to ecosystems globally, demanding innovative methods for environmental conservation and restoration. Restoration initiatives require significant amounts of appropriate vegetation that is both adaptive and tolerant to the specific environmental factors. This study introduces an adaptive-vegetation model designed to support ecosystem resilience in the face of climate change. Traditional restoration methods often neglect dynamic environmental conditions and ecosystem interactions, but the model employs real-time data and predictive analytics to adapt strategies to evolving climate variables. The model takes a comprehensive approach, incorporating climate projections, soil health metrics, species adaptability, and hydrological patterns to inform restoration practices. By using a mix of adaptable native species, the model promotes biodiversity. In conclusion, according to the findings of our review, paludiculture and agroforestry could be implemented as models for improving climate resilience, particularly in tropical degraded peat swamp forests. These two models could improve the environment, the economy, and social functions. Finally, improving all three of these factors improves ecological stability. This adaptive-vegetation model represents a significant shift from static, uniform restoration approaches to dynamic, data-driven strategies tailored to specific environments. The future research directions underscore the need for ongoing innovation in conservation practices to safeguard ecosystems amid unprecedented environmental changes. Future efforts will focus on enhancing the model with advanced machine learning techniques and expanding its application to additional ecological contexts.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091377
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1378: Urban and Rural Environments and Their
Implications for Older Adults’ Adaptation to Heat Waves: A
Systematic Review
Authors: Pablo De Gea Grela, Diego Sánchez-González, Lorena Patricia Gallardo Peralta
First page: 1378
Abstract: The aim of this study is to synthesise the scientific evidence on the implications of urban and rural environments on older adults’ adaptation strategies to heatwaves. Methods: The methodology follows PRISMA guidelines, which involves a systematic search of the scientific literature in selected electronic databases, including Web of Science and Scopus, to assist in the selection, identification and retention of studies. Results: The search identified 4991 potentially eligible articles, of which 17 met the criteria, mainly from developed countries, emphasising a multidisciplinary approach and moderate to low quality. Urban and rural environments influence older adults’ adaptation strategies to heatwaves through the adequacy of the physical environment of the dwelling (design, materials, equipment) and the neighbourhood (green spaces, residential density, land use), the social environment (support network and type of assistance) and risk management (protective measures and heat warning systems). At the individual level, adaptation to heatwaves is determined by age, gender, health status, socio-economic status and social isolation. Discussion and conclusions: Differences in perceptions of heat adaptation were found according to location, typology and environmental characteristics, especially in developing countries. The findings contribute to promoting the adoption of protective measures, the design of heat warning systems, and the planning of friendly and resilient cities and rural communities to support the adaptation of an ageing society to the climate warming.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091378
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1379: Urban Regeneration through
Cultural–Tourism Entrepreneurship Based on Albergo Diffuso
Development: The Venac Historic Core in Sombor, Serbia
Authors: Branislav Antonić, Aleksandra Stupar, Vladimir Kovač, Danira Sovilj, Aleksandar Grujičić
First page: 1379
Abstract: The inner core of Sombor, known as “Venac”, is probably the best-preserved one among medium-sized cities in Serbia. The stagnation of Sombor during the 20th century and its urban shrinkage in the 21st century have prevented significant transformations of the core, enabling its preservation under state protection as an urban heritage site. However, the recent rise of cultural tourism has triggered urban regeneration. As the city is still unprepared for this change, this regeneration has mostly omitted the inner core. Realising this, local representatives and experts have started rethinking innovative approaches to its regeneration, including the concept of Albergo Diffuso. This sustainable concept is created to revive the historic cores of small, shrinking cities and towns. Basically, it represents a hotel situated in several old buildings dispersed throughout a historic urban fabric, fitting perfectly into the regeneration of Venac. However, the current lack of precise spatial indicators and thresholds makes their incorporation into the planning process challenging. Considering this, this study focuses on the current spatial development of tourism in Venac, analysing the elements that would support and facilitate the application of this concept in the future. This article also proposes a set of new planning measures to support a strategically organised approach—from the emphasis on urban reuse and physical renewal to multileveled linking of basic concept conditions to the prioritization of pedestrian-friendly places and the application of innovative urban design in open public spaces. By connecting the selected Albergo Diffuso approach with spatial development and its analysis, this study also contributes to the spatial imprint of the concept’s implementation.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-28
DOI: 10.3390/land13091379
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 9 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1280: ‘Sharing’ as a Critical Framework
for Waterfront Heritage Regeneration: A Case Study of Suzhou Creek,
Shanghai
Authors: Yichen Zhu, Zhenyu Li
First page: 1280
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to analyze ‘sharing’ as an operational framework for waterfront industrial heritage revitalization in the context of sustainable urban regeneration. This research study was conducted to better understand the public accessibility of heritage preservation projects in a densely populated waterfront urban area and to determine to what extent heritage could be made available to the general public. We examined the development of industrial heritage along Suzhou Creek, Shanghai, and its process of regeneration. The focus area covered a waterway stretch of 19.2 km and an adjacent land area of 11.7 km2 managed as a single planning entity on both sides of the creek. We analyzed the present preservation practices and discovered a growing desire to increase the historical buildings’ visibility in the context of urban regeneration. We argue that ‘sharing’ can serve as a pivotal framework for sustainable waterfront regeneration, as its implementation can (1) increase the public value of waterfront heritage and (2) incorporate comprehensive objectives, design strategies, evaluation methods, and public participation into the space revitalization process.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-13
DOI: 10.3390/land13081280
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1281: Ecological and Environmental Risk Warning
Framework of Land Use/Cover Change for the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Yinjie He, Dafang Wu, Shuangcheng Li, Ping Zhou
First page: 1281
Abstract: Land use/cover change(LUCC) has a significant impact on the ecological environment. Within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as the largest cross-spatial cooperation initiative in human history, one of the core issues is how to scientifically and effectively use and manage the land in the region to prevent the destruction of important ecological and environmental resources. In order to reduce impact on the latter, in this study, we used the bivariate choropleth–multiple-criteria decision analysis (BC-MCDA) method based on the connotation of the sustainable development goals to construct an ecological and environmental risk warning framework. We found that in the study area, 10.51% of the land has high ecological and environmental risk and importance, corresponding to conflict zones, which require special attention. Conflict areas are mainly distributed in the Gangetic Plain in India, the plains in central and southern Cambodia, the Indonesian archipelago, and the southern coastal areas of China. Due to the uneven spatial distributions of population and important ecological and environmental resources, the pressure on this type of land use is very high. A share of 8.06% of the land has high risk–low importance, corresponding to economic development zones. Following years of human development, the ecological and environmental value of this type of land is low. A share of 58.75% of the land has low risk and importance, corresponding to wilderness areas. The natural climatic conditions of this type of land are relatively poor, often characterized by a cold climate or water scarcity, and the human interference index is low. A share of 22.68% of the land has low risk–high importance, corresponding to ecological conservation areas, which are the most important areas for ecological function services for humans at present. Finally, we proposed development suggestions for each type of land.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-14
DOI: 10.3390/land13081281
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1282: Scandinavian Erratics in the Cultural Heritage
Sites of Western Poland
Authors: Maria Górska-Zabielska
First page: 1282
Abstract: In north-western Poland, cultural and historical structures were erected using erratic boulders of Scandinavian origin. These structures have yet to be subjected to detailed analysis with the aim of determining their origin, type of erratic boulders and rock abundance of a given petrographic type. This topic has not been addressed by art historians in previous studies of similar structures. The objective of this paper is to present five illustrative examples of stone structures that are closely related to cultural heritage in north-western Poland. A comprehensive inventory of the stone material is presented, categorised according to petrographic types. This is accompanied by a guide to the erratics. Furthermore, this article addresses the principles of geoethics and the concept of sense of place, with the objective of fostering a sense of pride in cultural heritage among residents and viewers. The objective was to identify the current and potential future geosystem services that erratic boulders can provide at the aforementioned locations. The survey methods were non-intrusive and included a comprehensive analysis of the stone material at eye level. Furthermore, in addition to graphic and photographic archiving, the petrographic type of rock and the type of indicative erratics were identified in carefully designed test fields. The results were subjected to basic statistical calculations. The results obtained represent a new corpus of knowledge that can be employed in the sustainable development of the five regions through the utilisation of a tool such as geotourism. It is anticipated that the implementation of innovative initiatives aimed at fostering geoenvironmental awareness and providing educational benefits, such as disseminating knowledge about the petrography and history of the sites (including the evolution of stone workshops and techniques), the role of historic buildings in strengthening attachment to roots, and their promotion in the media and on the internet, will result in the attraction of a more diverse group of tourists with interests beyond the current tourist and recreational offerings.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-14
DOI: 10.3390/land13081282
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1283: Evaluation of the Importance of Ecological
Service Function and Analysis of Influencing Factors in the Hexi Corridor
from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Yidan Liu, Xiaojun Yao, Zhijuan Tian, Yingying Zhang
First page: 1283
Abstract: The Hexi Corridor plays a pivotal role in safeguarding China’s ecological security, functioning as a crucial conduit between economic and ecological systems. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating climate, evapotranspiration, and other variables, to analyze the trend in factors influencing ecological function and to evaluate the import of ecological service functions in the Hexi Corridor from 2000 to 2020. The findings reveal a distinctive spatial distribution pattern for regulating functions, with higher concentrations observed in the southern regions and lower concentrations in the northern regions. These functions include the storage of carbon, quality of habitat, the conservation of water, and soil and water conservation. It can be observed that the areas of general importance for ecosystem services are predominantly distributed across the northern and western sections of the Hexi Corridor, collectively representing 76.96% of the total area. Conversely, areas of general importance for ecosystem services are situated in regions characterized by a high altitude, intricate topography, and extensive glaciers as well as permafrost.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-14
DOI: 10.3390/land13081283
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1284: Evaluating the Impact of Green Spaces on Urban
Heat Reduction in Rajshahi, Bangladesh Using the InVEST Model
Authors: Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Jahid Hasan
First page: 1284
Abstract: Urban heat poses significant challenges in rapidly developing cities, particularly in countries like Bangladesh. This study investigates the cooling effects of urban green spaces in Rajshahi city, addressing a critical research gap in developing urban contexts. We examined the relationships among urban vegetation, heat mitigation, and temperature variables using the InVEST Urban Cooling Model and spatial analysis techniques. This study focused on three key relationships: Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Heat Mitigation Index (HMI), HMI and Land Sur face Temperature (LST), and HMI and Air Temperature (AT). Analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between NDVI and HMI, indicating the effectiveness of vegetation in enhancing urban cooling. A robust inverse relationship between HMI and LST was observed (R2 = 0.78, r = −0.88), with every 0.1 unit increase in HMI corresponding to a 0.53 °C decrease in LST. The HMI−AT relationship showed an even stronger correlation (R2 = 0.84, r = −0.87), with each unit increase in HMI associated with a 2.80 °C decrease in air temperature. These findings quantify the significant role of urban green spaces in mitigating heat and provide valuable insights for urban planning in developing cities, underscoring the importance of integrating green infrastructure into urban-development strategies to combat urban heat and improve livability.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-14
DOI: 10.3390/land13081284
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1285: Spatiotemporal Accessibility of Rail Transport
Systems in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and
Its Implications on Economic Equity
Authors: Shishu Ouyang, Pengjun Zhao, Zhaoya Gong
First page: 1285
Abstract: Reducing inequality and fostering economic growth is the tenth global goal of the United Nations for sustainable development. Rail transport significantly influences spatial structures, industrial distributions, and is vital for regional economic integration. Despite its importance, the impact of rail transport on economic equity has not been thoroughly explored in current literature. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating the spatiotemporal characteristics of rail transport accessibility and its implications for economic equity in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. We considered high-speed, intercity, and conventional rail transport and employ three distinct indicators—door-to-door travel time, weighted average travel time, and potential accessibility—to provide a nuanced assessment of accessibility in the region. Each indicator provides a unique perspective on how accessibility affects economic equity, collectively broadening the scope of the analysis. From 1998 to 2020, the evolution of rail transport and its consequent impact on regional economic equity is scrutinized. Advanced econometric methods, namely ordinary least squares, and spatial Durbin models, are combined with the Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve for comprehensive quantitative analysis. This approach highlights the dynamic influence of rail transport development on economic equity, contributing to the sustainable urban development discourse. The results reveal that although rail transport advancements bolster connectivity and economic growth, they also exacerbate regional economic inequality. This study provides valuable insights for urban planning and policymaking by elucidating the complex relationship between rail transport accessibility and economic equity. Our findings underscore the importance of implementing balanced and inclusive transport policies that foster growth and efficiency while mitigating socioeconomic disparities.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-14
DOI: 10.3390/land13081285
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1286: Diversity and Influencing Factors of Public
Service Facilities in Urban (Suburban) Railway Life Circle—Evidence
from Beijing Subway Line S1, China
Authors: Jiayue Xun, Min Zhang, Gaofeng Xu, Xinyue Guo
First page: 1286
Abstract: The urban (suburban) railway is a fast and convenient rail transit system connecting urban and suburban areas, and a refined analysis of the diversity of public service facilities around its stations can help to promote the intensive use of land around rail stations. However, the differences in the diversity of public service facilities in the railway life circle between urban and suburban railway stations and the factors affecting them are not clear. This paper takes the Beijing Suburban Railway Line Sub-center (Line S1) as a case study, uses the Shannon-Wiener index to measure the spatial diversity characteristics of public service facilities, and utilizes a multi-scale geographically weighted regression model to explore the influencing factors. The findings indicate that: (1) Centered on the stations, all six stations show a “less-more-less” ring or half-ring to the left distribution structure of the comprehensive diversity index of public service facilities within their study areas, with an increase followed by a decrease. (2) The influence of each influencing factor on the diversity of market-featured facilities exhibits significant differences. The most substantial spatial heterogeneity is observed in the distances to the nearest subway stations and bus stops. Distances to subway and urban (suburban) railway stations exhibit different spatial distribution characteristics within urban and suburban areas on Line S1. In urban areas, the closer the distance to the subway station or the further the distance to the railway station, the greater the diversity of public service facilities. Conversely, in suburban areas, the opposite is true. The conclusions of this research provide a scientific methodology and improvement measures to facilitate the construction of railway life circles in suburban regions of megacities.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081286
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1287: Sustainable Utilization and Conservation
through Compensation for Ecosystem Services: Experiences from the Koga
Watershed in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Feyera Senbeta, Meskerem Abi, Degefa Tolossa, Esubalew Abate, Getachew Terefe
First page: 1287
Abstract: Payments for ecosystem services have recently been introduced into the ecosystem management landscape to counter ecosystem degradation. This study examines the experiences of sustainable use and management of watersheds using a compensation for ecosystem service model in the Koga watershed, Northern Ethiopia. The study primarily employed qualitative methods. Thirteen informants, chosen from a group of project implementers, were contacted for telephone interviews, and a document analysis was also conducted. Thematic approaches were employed to analysis the data. The study findings revealed that a project had been introduced to implement an innovative payment/compensation for ecosystem services (CES) scheme to manage watersheds and to alleviate poverty in the watershed. The scheme connected upstream and downstream communities and cooperatives through CES, earning praise for its effectiveness in combating dam siltation and watershed degradation. The initiative also established various enabling conditions, such as capacity building, bylaw formulation, and payment procedures for beneficiary communities. However, the CES scheme still has a long way to go to deliver the anticipated positive impacts on local livelihoods and watershed management. It is believed that a comprehensive legal framework, a stable political and social environment, and sustainable financing mechanisms are crucial for the success of any CES project. Therefore, Ethiopia should strive to meet these requirements to ensure that any future CES projects are designed and implemented sustainably.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081287
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1288: Machine Learning for Criteria Weighting in
GIS-Based Multi-Criteria Evaluation: A Case Study of Urban Suitability
Analysis
Authors: Lan Qing Zhao, Alysha van Duynhoven, Suzana Dragićević
First page: 1288
Abstract: Geographic Information System-based Multi-Criteria Evaluation (GIS-MCE) methods are designed to assist in various spatial decision-making problems using spatial data. Deriving criteria weights is an important component of GIS-MCE, typically relying on stakeholders’ opinions or mathematical methods. These approaches can be costly, time-consuming, and prone to subjectivity or bias. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to investigate the use of Machine Learning (ML) techniques to support criteria weight derivation within GIS-MCE. The proposed ML-MCE method is explored in a case study of urban development suitability analysis of the City of Kelowna, Canada. Feature importance values drawn from three ML techniques–Random Forest (RF), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), and Support Vector Machine (SVM)–are used to derive criteria weights. The suitability scores obtained using the ML-MCE methodology are compared with Equal-Weights (EW) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach for criteria weighting. The results indicate that ML-derived criteria weights can be used in GIS-MCE, where RF and XGB techniques provide more similar values for criteria weights than those derived from SVM. The similarities and differences are confirmed with Kappa indices obtained from comparing pairs of suitability maps. The proposed new ML-MCE methodology can support various decision-making processes in urban land-use planning.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081288
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1289: Long-Term Effect of Tillage Systems on Planosol
Physical Properties, CO2 Emissions and Spring Barley Productivity
Authors: Aušra Sinkevičienė, Kęstutis Romaneckas, Karolina Jackevičienė, Toma Petrikaitė, Jovita Balandaitė, Rasa Kimbirauskienė
First page: 1289
Abstract: As the population grows, more food is needed to keep the food supply chain running smoothly. For many years, intensive farming systems have been used to meet this need. Currently, due to intense climate change and other global natural problems, there is a shift towards sustainable use of natural resources and simplified methods of tillage. Soil tillage intensity influences the distribution of nutrients, and soil’s physical and mechanical properties, as well as gas flows. The impact of reduced tillage on these indices in spring barley cultivation is still insufficient and requires more analysis on a global scale. This study was carried out at Vytautas Magnus University, Agriculture Academy (Lithuania) in 2022–2023. The aim of the investigation was to determine the effect of the tillage systems on the soil temperature, moisture content, CO2 respiration and concentration in spring barley cultivation. Based on a long-term tillage experiment, five tillage systems were tested: deep and shallow moldboard ploughing, deep cultivation-chiseling, shallow cultivation-chiseling, and no tillage Shallow plowing technology has been found to better conserve soil moisture and maintain higher temperatures in most cases. During almost the entire study period, the spring barley crop with deep cultivation had lower moisture content and lower soil temperature. Shallow cultivation fields in most cases increased CO2 emissions and CO2 concentration. When applying direct sowing to the uncultivated soil (10–20 cm), the concentration of CO2 decreased from 0.01 to 0.148 percent. pcs. The results show that in direct sowing fields, most cases had a positive effect on crop density. Direct sowing fields resulted in significantly lower, from 7.9 to 26.5%, grain yields of spring barley in the years studied.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081289
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1290: Identifying Optimal Zones for Avocado (Persea
americana Mill) Cultivation in Iberian Peninsula: A Climate Suitability
Analysis
Authors: Antonio Domínguez, Abelardo García-Martín, Eduardo Moreno, Encarnación González, Luis L. Paniagua, Gonzalo Allendes
First page: 1290
Abstract: In recent decades, the cultivation of avocados (Persea americana Mill) has expanded throughout the Iberian Peninsula, with most of the production occurring on the Southern Atlantic and Mediterranean Coast, as well as in the Canary Islands. This expansion is due to high demand and high prices, which have made the crop very attractive. However, climatic suitability criteria have not always been followed, putting sustainability at risk. Avocados originate from tropical and subtropical areas and have very specific climatic requirements that must be met to ensure good production. This study analyzed the key climatic variables, including winter cold damage, pollen viability and flowering and fruit set temperatures. Using daily climate data from 1975 to 2022, advanced spatial analysis techniques were applied to produce suitability maps. The results indicate that the expansion of the crop is possible in certain areas of Southern Andalusia but not in the rest of the peninsula. Variables associated with low temperatures, such as cold damage (temperatures below 0 °C in winter) and conditions unfavorable for fruit set (minimum daily temperatures below 10 °C in spring), have been identified as the most restrictive factors. Specifically, the number of days with minimum temperatures above 10 °C in March and April appears to be the most limiting climatic factor for avocado cultivation in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. Andalusia and the Valencian Community have been identified as the most climatically suitable regions for avocado cultivation, with approximately 1,500,000 hectares recognized as potentially suitable for avocado production. This work provides valuable insights into the potential for sustainable agricultural intensification, the sustainability of agricultural decision-making and resilience to climate change.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081290
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1291: Assessing the Impact of Land Conversion on
Carbon Stocks and GHG Emissions
Authors: Ima Ituen, Baoxin Hu
First page: 1291
Abstract: With the recent thrust to convert forests in Ontario’s Clay Belt to agricultural land, a vital need arises to assess the attendant effects on carbon and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper examines the possible effect of land conversion on soil organic carbon and GHG emissions within a study area in Northern Ontario, Canada, during the next two decades under different land management schemes. The study established a framework to conduct simulations with the DNDC model for agricultural lands and the CBM for forested areas. The methodology involves a unique change detection method for models’ land cover and disturbance inputs. The work highlights the improvement in carbon simulation accuracy from better inputs to carbon models. Furthermore, it addresses modalities to ensure fewer uncertainties are introduced while merging data from multiple geospatial data sources. The simulations demonstrated that the carbon sequestration potential in the forests was almost double the soil organic carbon accumulation in the agricultural lands. Validations done for the estimation of carbon sequestered included comparisons of the carbon model outputs from field survey data from 2018–2021. In most sites, the carbon amounts from the computer models compared to those from the field survey, within limits of error. The average uncertainties in GHG emissions ranged from ~0.5% to 12.8%.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081291
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1292: Ecological Protection Redlines’ Positive
Impact on Terrestrial Carbon Storage in Hainan Island, China
Authors: Zhouyao Zhang, Yuxin Zhu, Peihong Jia
First page: 1292
Abstract: The establishment of the ecological protection redline (EPR) in China plays a crucial role in safeguarding key ecological functional areas and sustaining biodiversity. Besides their significance, the impact of these redlines on regional carbon sequestration remains unclear due to current inconsistencies in their implementation and adjustment. This paper conducts a thorough analysis of the evolution of two EPR versions on Hainan Island and employs the InVEST model to assess the effects of two EPR areas on regional carbon storage between 2000 and 2020. Additionally, a spatial autoregressive model is integrated to explore the socioeconomic and environmental driving mechanisms behind changes in regional carbon storage, thereby revealing complex interactions between ecological protection policy adjustments and ecosystem services of carbon storage. Key findings include: (1) The 2022 EPR area has improved the management of ecological protection boundaries, permanent cultivated land, and urban development boundaries, outperforming the 2016 version, particularly in control of construction land and water resource management. (2) The EPR2022 exhibits higher carbon storage per area, indicating a more effective zoning system. The increase in carbon storage is primarily observed in transitions from cultivated land to forest, grassland to forest, and water bodies to grassland. (3) Elevation exhibits a relatively strong positive correlation with carbon storage within the EPRs, with high-altitude areas typically encompassing the core zones of tropical rainforest national parks that possess diverse vegetation and stable ecosystems, conducive to maintaining or increasing carbon storage. Evaluating the efficacy of the EPR in enhancing regional carbon storage is critical for refining management strategies and achieving carbon neutrality goals. Future strategies should incorporate a comprehensive analysis of ecosystem services of carbon storage into the EPR framework to enhance multiple ecosystem functions, thereby establishing a resilient and functionally stable ecological landscape. This research introduces an insightful estimation method crucial for developing more effective ecological protection policies and provides valuable insights for managing ecological protection areas globally.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081292
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1293: Geoheritage of the Iconic EN280 Leba Road
(Huila Plateau, Southwestern Angola): Inventory, Geological
Characterization and Quantitative Assessment for Outdoor Educational
Activities
Authors: Fernando Carlos Lopes, Anabela Martins Ramos, Pedro Miguel Callapez, Pedro Santarém Andrade, Luís Vítor Duarte
First page: 1293
Abstract: The EN280 Leba Road is a mountain road that runs along the western slope of Serra da Leba (Humpata Plateau) and its outstanding escarpments, connecting the hinterland areas of the Province of Huila to the coastal Atlantic Province of Namibe, in Southwest Angola. In the Serra da Leba ranges, as in Humpata Plateau, a volcano-sedimentary succession of Paleo-Mesoproterozoic age known as the Chela Group outcrops extensively. This main unit records a pile of sediments with a thickness over 600 m, overlying a cratonic basement with Eburnean and pre-Eburnean granitoids. This sequence is overlain in unconformity by the Leba Formation, which consists of weakly deformed cherty dolostones rich in stromatolites. Along the EN280 Leba Road, in the downward direction, were inventoried and characterized eight sites that, by their exceptional geological content and the singularity of their geoforms, are worth being defined and formalized as geosites: (1) traditional mining clay pit in the Humpata Plateau (post-Eburnean Paleo-Mesoproterozoic claystones); (2) old lime oven of Leba (post-Eburnean Meso-Neoproterozoic cherty dolostones with stromatolites); (3) viewpoint of the Serra da Leba (post-Eburnean Paleo-Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary formations and Eburnean Paleoproterozoic granitoids); (4) vertical beds at the beginning of the descent (post-Eburnean Paleo-Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary formations); (5) slope of the fault propagation fold (post-eburnean Paleo-Mesoproterozoic volcano-sedimentary formations); (6) reverse fault in granitoid rocks (Eburnean Paleoproterozoic granitoids); (7) Dolerite Curve (Eburnean Paleoproterozoic granitoids and dolerites); (8) ductile simple shear zone (Eburnean Paleoproterozoic granitoids and mylonites). These sites were primarily selected using the results of fieldwork (observations, measurements, reproduction of representations, and creation of models), interpretation of remote sensing data, and data from previously published bibliographies and cartography. A quantitative assessment of the selected sites to be preserved through their classification as geosites (integration in a geoconservation strategy) was proposed. The first position in the numerical assessment is occupied by the landscape dimension geosite “Viewpoint of the Serra da Leba”. This position is conferred, mainly, by its high geological, use, and Management values, being therefore considered the place with the highest geoheritage value in the studied area. Based on the previous characterization and evaluation, several field activities were proposed to be included in a guidebook, highlighting aspects such as landscapes, outcrops, rocks, structures, fossils, and georesources. The high scientific, didactic, and aesthetic values of these geological contexts and their high degree of geodiversity justify their integration into a geoeducational transect, contributing to the appreciation and awareness of the geological heritage of Serra da Leba, as well as to its promotion and scientific and educational dissemination.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081293
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1294: Spatial and Temporal Analysis of Water
Resources in the Olive-Growing Areas of Extremadura, Southwestern Spain
Authors: Francisco J. Moral, Francisco J. Rebollo, Abelardo García-Martín, Luis L. Paniagua, Fulgencio Honorio
First page: 1294
Abstract: The increasing variability of precipitation, higher temperatures, and recurring droughts in the semi-arid regions due to climate change are leading to increased aridity, resulting in scarcer water resources for crops. The present study aimed to analyse the spatial distribution of climate variables related to water resources in the olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura, southwestern Spain. To perform this task, three climate variables were used: the potential evapotranspiration of the crop, the FAO aridity index, and the annual water requirement. Considering data from 58 weather stations located throughout Extremadura and 17 along boundaries with at least a 30-year length (within the 1991–2021 period), each variable was computed at each station. After calculating some descriptive statistics, a multivariate geostatistical (regression-kriging) algorithm, incorporating secondary information on elevation and latitude, was used to accurately map each climate variable. Later, temporal trends and their magnitude were analysed using the Mann–Kendall test and the Sen’s estimator, respectively. The highest evapotranspiration and water requirements are located in the southern part of the region, which has large areas dedicated to olive cultivation. In the northern part of the region, there is greater spatial variability in evapotranspiration and, consequently, in water requirements for olive groves due to the more rugged topography. Similarly, the olive-growing areas with the highest aridity are also in the south of Extremadura. In most areas of Extremadura, olive cultivation requires appropriate irrigation for optimal productivity. According to evapotranspiration trends, the water requirements will become greater in the future. However, it is not guaranteed that the water supply will be sufficient in olive-growing areas where aridity is higher and water resources are scarce. The results of this study are very important for evaluating water deficit and water resources in vulnerable olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081294
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1295: Spatial Interaction and Driving Factors between
Urban Land Expansion and Population Change in China
Authors: Hao Meng, Qianming Liu, Jun Yang, Jianbao Li, Xiaowei Chuai, Xianjin Huang
First page: 1295
Abstract: The rational matching of urban land and population has become an important prerequisite for sustainable urban development. In this paper, the traditional urban land scale elasticity model was improved, and combined with the gravity model, the spatial interaction between land expansion and population change in 618 cities in China during the period 2006–2021 was investigated. The geographical detector method was used to reveal what drives them. The main results were as follows: (1) China’s urban land expansion rate was 1.83 times faster than the population growth rate during 2006–2021. After the implementation of the New-type Urbanisation Plan in 2014, the ratio of land expansion rate to population growth rate dropped from 2.46 to 1.12. (2) Among the six interaction types identified, land rapid expansion is the most significant, accounting for 41.59% of urban samples. (3) The geographical detector method found that the indicators of urban development rights such as the level of administrative hierarchy and the ratio of fiscal revenue to fiscal expenditure were the main factors affecting land expansion and that economic indicators such as gross domestic product and employment opportunities dominated population change. Fortunately, the intervention role of urban development rights has declined, and the constraints of market mechanisms, resources and environment have gradually become the dominant factors in urban land expansion and population change. These findings provide a theoretical basis for alleviating the human–land contradiction and achieving sustainable urban development.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-15
DOI: 10.3390/land13081295
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1296: Combined Application of Chemical and Organic
Fertilizers Promoted Soil Carbon Sequestration and Bacterial Community
Diversity in Dryland Wheat Fields
Authors: Hongmei Song, Zixuan Chang, Xuan Hu, Yan Li, Chengjiao Duan, Lifan Yang, Haoying Wang, Tingliang Li
First page: 1296
Abstract: The use of fertilizers is mainly adopted in arid regions to improve the soil carbon (C) pool and crop productivity. However, the mechanisms underlying improvements in dryland wheat field soils related to microbial metabolic activity and community structure remain poorly understood. Therefore, a field experiment with four fertilization treatments and no fertilizer as the control (CK) was conducted for 10 years in a semi-arid region of China. The results revealed that the combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers (fermented chicken manure) clearly increased the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and light-fraction organic carbon (LFOC) by 13.54–16.72%, 6.96–9.01%, and 11.00–13.51%, respectively, compared to the sole use of chemical fertilizers (FP treatment). Moreover, the combined treatment not only enhanced the metabolic activity of microorganisms concerning carbon source utilization but also increased the diversity of the bacterial community. This caused noticeable changes in the composition of the bacterial community. A Mantel test analysis revealed that Bacteroidetes and Mortierellomycota significantly enhanced the metabolic activity associated with carbohydrate, amino acid, and carboxylic acid C sources. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Mortierellomycota facilitated the accumulation of active C and particulate organic carbon (POC), whereas Mortierellomycota specifically promoted the accumulation of heavy-fraction organic carbon (HFOC), thereby collectively influencing the SOC content. The combined application of chemical and organic fertilizers increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Mortierellomycota. This enhancement improved the metabolic utilization of carbohydrates, amino acids, and carboxylic acids, resulting in alterations in the types and quantities of soil metabolites. Consequently, these alterations ultimately affect the composition and quantity of the SOC pool in arid agroecosystems. In conclusion, the combined application of balanced NPK fertilizers and organic fertilizers has a strong positive effect in improving soil microbial activity and the soil C pool.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081296
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1297: Key Factors Affecting Carbon-Saving Intensity
and Efficiency Based on the Structure of Green Space
Authors: Guohao Zhang, Chenyu Du, Shidong Ge
First page: 1297
Abstract: Urban green spaces (UGSs) play a critical role in regulating global carbon cycling and mitigating the increase in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Research increasingly demonstrates that UGSs not only sequester carbon through photosynthesis but also effectively save carbon emissions by mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. However, understanding the carbon-saving capacity (CSC) and the role of landscape patterns of UGSs in warming cities remains limited. Therefore, we have evaluated the carbon-saving capacity of UGSs in the main urban area of Shangqiu City by utilizing high-resolution remote sensing data and machine learning techniques. The study has focused on green patches larger than 10,000 m2 and has analyzed the influence of landscape patterns of UGSs on carbon saving intensity (CSI) and carbon saving efficiency (CSE). The results reveal that the total CSI and the average CSE of UGSs are 7716 t CO2 and 2.9 t CO2 ha−1 in Shangqiu, respectively. Landscape patterns of UGSs can explain 82% and 64% of the variability in CSI and CSE variance, respectively. Specifically, green space area is the critical determinant of CSI and CSE, followed by the perimeter–area ratio, shape index, and fractal dimension of UGSs. Therefore, this study advocates for the strategic integration of UGSs into city planning, emphasizing their spatial distribution and configuration to maximize their cooling and carbon-saving capacity.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081297
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1298: Dynamic Analysis of Urban Land Use Efficiency
in the Western Taiwan Strait Economic Zone
Authors: Haixiang Xu, Rui Zhang
First page: 1298
Abstract: The Western Taiwan Strait (WTS) Economic Zone connects the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta, playing a significant role in China’s coastal economy and forming part of the East Asian economic structure. This study used panel data from 20 cities in the WTS Economic Zone, spanning 2011 to 2020, to investigate urban land use efficiency and its dynamic evolution characteristics. The study used a super-efficiency EBM model, which accounts for undesirable outputs, combined with kernel density estimation and Malmquist–Luenberger (ML) index analysis, to thoroughly examine the changes in total factor productivity (TFP) of urban land use and the factors driving these changes within the WTS Economic Zone. The findings are as follows: (1) From 2011 to 2020, the overall trend of urban land use efficiency in the WTS Economic Zone was upward, with coastal areas generally exhibiting higher urban land use efficiency compared to inland areas. (2) The urban land use efficiency of cities in the WTS Economic Zone displayed four types of changes: rising, stable, “U”-shaped, and inverted “U”-shaped. (3) The TEP index of the WTS Economic Zone exhibited a right-leaning “M” trend. Technological change was the primary driver of enhanced urban land use efficiency, although there is still room for improvement in technical efficiency. Based on these findings, this study proposes policy insights to foster high-quality development of urban land use efficiency in the WTS Economic Zone.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081298
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1299: The Impact of COVID-19 on the
Jobs–Housing Dynamic Balance: Empirical Evidence from Wuhan between
2019, 2021, 2023
Authors: Lei Wu, Muxi Yuan, Fangjie Liu, Qiang Niu
First page: 1299
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic, a significant public health emergency, has underscored the criticality of jobs–housing proximity. Static statistical research, however, struggles to uncover the mechanisms underlying jobs–housing balance, providing limited guidance for urban management. This paper adopts the concept of jobs–housing dynamic balance, analyzing the trends in jobs–housing balance in the metropolitan development area of Wuhan in the early and later period of the pandemic from the perspective of individual jobs–housing migration. Using mobile phone signaling data, we identified a stable population of 161,698 residents in June 2019, June 2021, and June 2023, and calculated jobs–housing synchronization and migration impact indices across seven regions. The study finds the following: (1) there is a pronounced misalignment of jobs–housing in the new cities of Wuhan’s suburbs, with clear asynchronous in-migration and out-migration; (2) COVID-19 initially led to a unidirectional exodus of the local population for job purposes, significantly contributing to regional jobs–housing imbalance, followed by a partial rebound in the later stages; and (3) the stability of jobs–housing balance in suburban new cities lacking policy support and comprehensive urban functions is worse, primarily due to insufficient employment resilience and the out-migration of the employed population. This paper puts forward a set of recommendations for the sustainable development of suburban new cities. It offers insights into the theoretical advancement of jobs–housing balance and the dynamic, refined transformation of urban studies, enhancing urban managers’ understanding of human–place interactions and new city construction.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081299
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1300: Spillover Impacts of the Utilization of Winter
Fallow Fields on Grain Production and Carbon Emissions
Authors: Lanping Tang, Ge Shen, Min Cheng, Chengchao Zuo, Feiyang Li, Hang Liu, Shaohua Wu
First page: 1300
Abstract: Abandoned cropland is a widespread issue globally, with the impacts of utilizing abandoned cropland, such as grain production and carbon emissions, raising increasing concern. However, existing studies have largely overlooked the potential spillover effects on other regions through grain flows when increasing grain production in one region by utilizing abandoned cropland. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively estimate the impacts of using winter fallow fields (a typical seasonal abandoned cropland) on grain production and carbon emissions, particularly its neglected spillover impact. Focusing on Zhejiang province, this study used remote sensing techniques to identify winter fallow fields in 2018 and then assessed the impact of using those winter fallow fields on grain production based on grain yield data from the FAO, as well as its local and spillover impacts on carbon emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Emission Factor method and a transportation carbon emission model. The results indicate the following: (1) The winter fallow fields in Zhejiang cover 5,161,000 hectares, accounting for 40.8% of the total cropland, with a notable prevalence in Jiaxing, Huzhou, Jinhua, and Quzhou. (2) Using winter fallow fields would increase grain production by 1,870,000 tons. (3) At the same time, local carbon emissions would rise by 261,000 tons if using winter fallow fields, but this would be paired with a reduction of 668,000 tons of carbon emissions from other regions (that is, a spillover impact), reflecting a net reduction (−447,000 tons) in overall emissions. In conclusion, using winter fallow fields can achieve a ‘win–win’ effect, increasing grain production while reducing carbon emissions. This study highlights that the spillover effects of using winter fallow fields on carbon emissions significantly surpass the localized impact, underscoring a critical aspect that has been traditionally undervalued, which should be paid more attention when policymakers formulate and implement cropland use policies. This study not only contributes to the academic discourse on sustainable land management but also serves as a practical guide for policymakers seeking to optimize agricultural productivity while curtailing the carbon footprint, thereby advancing towards a more secure and environmentally responsible food system.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081300
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1301: Monitoring of Open-Pit Mining Areas Using
Landsat Series Imagery (1984–2023) and Cloud Processing
Authors: Pau Montero, Edgardo Bustos, Joan-Cristian Padró, Vicenç Carabassa
First page: 1301
Abstract: While open-pit mining activities represent one of the human-derived most impactful land cover changes, these changes and the linked restoration processes can be challenging to assess. This article presents a reproducible methodology carried out with cloud processing of satellite images (Google Earth Engine (GEE)) to evaluate the evolution of open-pit mining activities and their restoration in a Mediterranean landscape. For this purpose, the calculation of the normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) was used to obtain a quantitative parameter to monitor vegetation presence in each extractive area. To validate these results, confusion matrices were performed between the classification obtained in the study and the official land cover mapping, using randomly selected mining areas as test points, with an average accuracy of 88%. According to the methodology used, the surface of areas denuded by mining in the period 1984–2023 has fluctuated over time, with a maximum in 2005 coinciding with the peak of the Spanish construction boom, and a subsequent decrease towards the present. From these results, it can be concluded that Landsat-type data processed using GEE provide a quick and useful tool for monitoring the evolution of mining activity, including restoration trends, becoming particularly valuable for public bodies’ inspections or decision making.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081301
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1302: Investigating the Nonlinear Effect of Land Use
and Built Environment on Public Transportation Choice Using a Machine
Learning Approach
Authors: Zhenbao Wang, Shuyue Liu, Haitao Lian, Xinyi Chen
First page: 1302
Abstract: Understanding the relationship between the demand for public transportation and land use is critical to promoting public-transportation-oriented urban development. Taking Beijing as an example, we took the Public Transportation Index (PTI) during the working day’s early peak hours as the dependent variable. And 15 land use and built environment variables were selected as the independent variables according to the “7D” built environment dimensions. According to the Modifiable Areal Unit Problem (MAUP), the size and shape of the spatial units will affect the aggregation results of the dependent variable and the independent variables. To find the ideal spatial unit division method, we assess how well the nonlinear model fits several spatial units. Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) was utilized to investigate the nonlinear effects of the built environment on PTI and threshold effects based on the ideal spatial unit. The results show that (1) the best spatial unit division method is based on traffic analysis zones (TAZs); (2) the top four explanatory variables affecting PTI are, in order: mean travel distance, residential density, subway station density, and public services density; (3) there are nonlinear relationships and significant threshold effects between the land use variables and PTI. The priority regeneration TAZs were identified according to the intersection analysis of the low PTI TAZs set and the PTI-sensitive TAZs set based on different land use variables. Prioritized urban regeneration TAZs require targeted strategies, and the results of the study may provide a scientific basis for proposing strategies to renew land use to increase PTI.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081302
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1303: Spatial Variations in Relationships between
Urbanization and Carbon Emissions in Chinese Urban Agglomerations
Authors: Weisong Li, Jiahui Wu, Liyan Yang, Wanxu Chen, Xinghua Cui, Mingyu Lin
First page: 1303
Abstract: Urban agglomerations (UAs) are the main battlefield of urbanization and the most concentrated areas of carbon emissions (CEs). Nevertheless, limited studies have examined the impact of urbanization level (UL) on CEs in UAs in China. This study aimed to identify the spatial relationship between UL and CEs in Chinese UAs and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the differences in CEs caused by urbanization. The findings would provide scientific support for the China’s dual-carbon goals and the achievement of green and low-carbon urban development. Spatial variations in UL and CEs in 19 Chinese UAs were assessed in 2000, 2010, and 2020 using distribution dynamics and spatial regression models. The results indicated that the UL of UAs in China evidently increased over time, and UAs contributed approximately 80% of the national CEs. Significant spatial dependence was identified between urbanization factors and CEs. The regression results indicated that an increase in UL promoted the growth of CEs, and the form of the urban land had a significant and highly variable impact on CEs. Our findings provide a valuable case study for exploring relationships between UL and CEs in other UAs worldwide.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-16
DOI: 10.3390/land13081303
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1304: Towards Equitable Representations of Ageing:
Evaluation of Gender, Territories, Aids and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Vanessa Zorrilla-Muñoz, Daniela Luz Moyano, Carolina Marcos Carvajal, María Silveria Agulló-Tomás
First page: 1304
Abstract: There are few studies on the representation of older people regarding aids and assistive devices and even fewer that incorporate more inclusive views (gender, emotions, anti-ageist, territorial or land approach) as well as virtual or land ethnography or artificial intelligence. The general objective was to evaluate digital images of aids and assistive aids in the older population, from the perspectives mentioned above. Method. A descriptive and cross-sectional study that searched, observed and analyzed images. An evaluation of intentionally selected images from Freepik, Pixabay, Storyblocks, Splitshire, Gratisography and ArtGPT, included in an original database constructured by several authors of this article, was carried out in the context of the ENCAGEn-CM project (2020–2023, financed by the CAM and FSE). This base was updated and expanded in October and November 2023. In addition, an image generation process was carried out using artificial intelligence, and this was also part of the analysis (ArtGPT). Finally, algorithms were used to solve and retrain with the images. Results. Of the total final images included in the expanded database until November 2023 (n = 427), only a third (28.3%, 121/427) included the aids and assistive aids label. Representations of mixed groups predominated (38.8%) and, to a lesser extent, those of women. A large proportion of the devices were ‘glasses’ (74.6%) and the ‘use of a cane’ (14.9%). To a lesser extent, ‘wheelchairs’ (4.4%) or ‘hearing aids’ (0.9%) and the presence of more than one device (simultaneously) (5.3%) were noted. The main emotions represented were ‘joy’ (45.6%) and ‘emotion not recognized’ (45.6%), with, to a lesser extent, ‘sadness’ (3.5%), ‘surprise’ (4.4%) and ‘anger’ (0.9%). Differences by sex were found in the represented emotions linked to aids and assistive aids. The representation of images of the built environment predominated significantly (70.2%), and it was observed that older women were less represented in natural environments than men. Based on the previous findings, a method is proposed to address stereotypes in images of older individuals. It involves identifying common stereotypical features, like glasses and hospital settings, using deep learning and quantum computing techniques. A convolutional neural network identifies and suppresses these elements, followed by the use of quantum algorithms to manipulate features. This systematic approach aims to mitigate biases and enhance the accuracy in representing older people in digital imagery. Conclusion. A limited proportion of images of assistive devices and older people were observed. Furthermore, among them, the lower representation of images of women in a built environment was confirmed, and the expressions of emotions were limited to only three basic ones (joy, sadness and surprise). In these evaluated digital images, the collective imagination of older people continues to be limited to a few spaces/contexts and emotions and is stereotyped regarding the same variables (sex, age, environment). Technology often overlooks innovative support tools for older adults, and AI struggles in accurately depicting emotions and environments in digital images. There is a pressing need for thorough pretraining analysis and ethical considerations to address these challenges and ensure more accurate and inclusive representations of older persons in digital media.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-17
DOI: 10.3390/land13081304
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1305: Spatio-Temporal Changes and Driving Mechanisms
of Vegetation Net Primary Productivity in Xinjiang, China from 2001 to
2022
Authors: Qiuxuan Xu, Jinmei Li, Sumeng Zhang, Quanzhi Yuan, Ping Ren
First page: 1305
Abstract: Net primary productivity (NPP), a key indicator of terrestrial ecosystem quality and function, represents the amount of organic matter produced by vegetation per unit area and time. This study utilizes the MOD17A3 NPP dataset (2001–2022) to analyze the spatio-temporal dynamics of NPP in Xinjiang and projects future trends using Theil-Sen trend analysis, the Mann–-Kendall test, and the Hurst Index. By integrating meteorological data, this study employs partial correlation analysis, the Miami model, and residual analysis to explore the driving mechanisms behind NPP changes influenced by climatic factors and human activities. The results indicate that: (1) The average NPP in Xinjiang has increased over the years, displaying a spatial pattern with higher values in the north and west. Regions with increasing NPP outnumber those with declining trends, while 75.18% of the area shows un-certain future trends. (2) Precipitation exhibits a stronger positive correlation with NPP compared to temperature. (3) Climate change accounts for 28.34% of the variation in NPP, while human activities account for 71.66%, making the latter the dominant driving factor. This study aids in monitoring ecological degradation risks in arid regions of China and provides a scientific basis for developing rational coping strategies and ecological restoration initiatives.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-17
DOI: 10.3390/land13081305
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1306: Determination of Soil Contamination Due to the
Influence of Cemeteries for the Surrounding Land and People in Central
Ecuador—Worldwide Implications
Authors: Viviana Abad-Sarango, Tania Crisanto-Perrazo, Paulina Guevara-García, Greta Fierro-Naranjo, Theofilos Toulkeridis, Edwin Ocaña Garzón, Betzabeth Quishpe-Gómez, Silvana Suntaxi-Pachacama
First page: 1306
Abstract: Human decomposition processes generate pulses of nutrients, such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) in the form of ammonium and nitrate (NO3−), which are released into the surrounding environment. The little exploration related to the potential of cadaveric leachate to influence the physical chemistry and biology of the soil makes it difficult to obtain data and scientific evidence, and subsequently the predominant objective of the current study was to determine soil contamination through the analysis of parameters of physical chemistry that included organic matter (OM), NO3−, texture, humidity, and pH. Soil samples were taken at different depths in two temporary trials (the dry and rainy seasons) in central Ecuador. The Kruskal–Wallace and ANOVA statistical analyses determined significant differences in relation to the sampling sections and by categories, while there were no significant differences in the inter-season analysis; therefore, the study was based on the data obtained in the dry season. The results indicate a tendency towards contamination in cemeteries categorized as critical, that is, moderate, light, and not suitable due to the high values of OM and humidity measured. On the contrary, the soils that corresponded to the cemeteries classified as suitable yielded low values of the analyzed parameters, which corroborates their capacity for the present and future location of cemeteries. Monitoring and managing soil health is crucial to ensure sustainable environmental practices and protect public health; nonetheless, additional research is suggested to confirm the findings of the current study.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-17
DOI: 10.3390/land13081306
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1307: Continuous Decline in Direct Incomes for
Farmers Threatens the Sustainability of the Grain for Green Project
Authors: Luqian Li, Xiaobo Hua, Guangshuai Zhao, Erqi Xu
First page: 1307
Abstract: Understanding the impacts of ecological projects on household livelihoods is important in ensuring their sustainability. However, existing studies typically cover only a limited, discrete temporal point. Insufficient study duration makes it difficult to determine the full impact and dynamics of a project, affecting the veracity of the results. Representing one of the world’s largest investments in an ecosystem service programs, the Grain for Green Project (GGP) has an objective of increasing household incomes. Using data from 7112 questionnaires collected through 12 consecutive years (2007–2018) of field survey monitoring, this study examined the long-term impacts of the GGP on household livelihoods in the Beijing–Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project area through comparisons between participant households (PHs) and non-participant households (NPHs). The results show that GGP subsidies significantly increased household incomes only during the period 2007–2015, and their share of total household income decreased from 9.21% in 2007 to 1.62% in 2018. Subsidies for GGP cannot compensate farmers for losses due to the reduction in farmland. The above findings suggest that the effect of subsidies diminishes over time. Increased investment in jobs and skills training is needed to consolidate the GGP results. This provides new perspectives and empirical support for the study of international ecological compensation policies and sustainable development.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-18
DOI: 10.3390/land13081307
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1308: Predicting and Optimizing Restorativeness in
Campus Pedestrian Spaces based on Vision Using Machine Learning and Deep
Learning
Authors: Kuntong Huang, Taiyang Wang, Xueshun Li, Ruinan Zhang, Yu Dong
First page: 1308
Abstract: Restoring campus pedestrian spaces is vital for enhancing college students’ mental well-being. This study objectively and thoroughly proposed a reference for the optimization of restorative campus pedestrian spaces that are conducive to the mental health of students. Eye-tracking technology was employed to examine gaze behaviors in these landscapes, while a Semantic Difference questionnaire identified key environmental factors influencing the restorative state. Additionally, this study validated the use of virtual reality (VR) technology for this research domain. Building height difference (HDB), tree height (HT), shrub area (AS), ground hue (HG), and ground texture (TG) correlated significantly with the restorative state (ΔS). VR simulations with various environmental parameters were utilized to elucidate the impact of these five factors on ΔS. Subsequently, machine learning models were developed and assessed using a genetic algorithm to refine the optimal restorative design range of campus pedestrian spaces. The results of this study are intended to help improve students’ attentional recovery and to provide methods and references for students to create more restorative campus environments designed to improve their mental health and academic performance.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-18
DOI: 10.3390/land13081308
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1309: Assessing the Role of Environmental Covariates
and Pixel Size in Soil Property Prediction: A Comparative Study of Various
Areas in Southwest Iran
Authors: Pegah Khosravani, Majid Baghernejad, Ruhollah Taghizadeh-Mehrjardi, Seyed Roohollah Mousavi, Ali Akbar Moosavi, Seyed Rashid Fallah Shamsi, Hadi Shokati, Ndiye M. Kebonye, Thomas Scholten
First page: 1309
Abstract: (1) Background: The use of multiscale prediction or the optimal scaling of predictors can enhance soil maps by applying pixel size in digital soil mapping (DSM). (2) Methods: A total of 200, 50, and 129 surface soil samples (0–30 cm) were collected by the CLHS method in three different areas, namely, the Marvdasht, Bandamir, and Lapuee plains in southwest Iran. Then, four soil properties—soil organic matter (SOM), bulk density (BD), soil shear strength (SS), and mean weighted diameter (MWD)—were measured at each sampling point as representative attributes of soil physical and chemical quality. This study examined different-scale scenarios ranging from resampling the original 30 m digital elevation model and remote sensing indices to various pixel sizes, including 60 × 60, 90 × 90, 120 × 120, and up to 2100 × 2100 m. (3) Results: After evaluating 22 environmental covariates, 11 of them were identified as the most suitable candidates for predicting soil properties based on recursive feature elimination (RFE) and expert opinion methods. Furthermore, among different pixel size scenarios for SOM, BD, SS, and MWD, the highest accuracy was achieved at 1200 × 1200 m (R2 = 0.35), 180 × 180 m (R2 = 0.67), 1200 × 1200 m (R2 = 0.42), and 2100 × 2100 m (R2 = 0.34), respectively, in Marvdasht plain. (4) Conclusions: Adjusting the pixel size improves the capture of soil property variability, enhancing mapping precision and supporting effective decision making for crop management, irrigation, and land use planning.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-18
DOI: 10.3390/land13081309
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1310: Revetment Affects Nitrogen Removal and N2O
Emission at the Urban River–Riparian Interface
Authors: Zihao Man, Changkun Xie, Ruiyuan Jiang, Jin Wang, Yifeng Qin, Shengquan Che
First page: 1310
Abstract: River–riparian interface (RRI) plays a crucial role in nitrogen removal and N2O emissions, but different revetment constructions can significantly alter the associated outcomes. Identifying which type of revetment can reduce N2O emissions while still removing nitrogen is a key issue in urban development. This study constructed three types of revetments along the same river section, and measured soil, vegetation, microbial, denitrification, and N2O emission characteristics to explore the synergistic effects of revetment types on nitrogen removal and N2O emissions. The study showed that revetments affected nitrogen removal and N2O emissions in RRI by influencing denitrification. nirK mainly affected nitrogen removal, while nosZII mainly influenced N2O emissions. Environmental factors in the permeable revetment led to significantly higher gene abundances of nirK and nosZII compared to those in the natural and impermeable revetments. As a result, the denitrification potential of the permeable revetment (34.32 ± 1.17 mg/(kg·d)) was 22.43% and 8.84% higher than those of the natural and impermeable revetments, respectively. The N2O emission rate (0.35 ± 0.01 mg/(m2·h)) was 29.22% and 22.19% lower than those of the natural and impermeable revetments, respectively. Permeable revetment could have been the best for the nitrogen removal and N2O emission reduction. These results provide a theoretical basis and guidance for urban ecological construction.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081310
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1311: Modelling the Control of Groundwater on the
Development of Colliery Spoil Tip Failures in Wales
Authors: Lingfeng He, John Coggan, Patrick Foster, Tikondane Phiri, Matthew Eyre
First page: 1311
Abstract: Legacy colliery spoil tip failures pose a significant hazard that can result in harm to persons or damage to property and infrastructure. In this research, the 2020 Wattstown tip landslide caused by heavy rainfall was examined to investigate the likely mechanisms and developmental factors contributing to colliery spoil tip failures in Welsh coalfields. To achieve this, an integrated method was proposed through the combination of remote sensing mapping, stability chart analysis, 2D limit equilibrium (LE) modelling, and 3D finite difference method (FDM) analysis. Various water table geometries were incorporated into these models to ascertain the specific groundwater condition that triggered the occurrence of the 2020 landslide. In addition, sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the influence of the colliery spoil properties (i.e., cohesion, friction angle, and porosity) on the slope stability analysis. The results indicate that the landslide was characterised by a shallow rotational failure mode and spatially constrained by the critical water table and an underlying geological interface. In addition, the results also imply that the landslide was triggered by the rise of water table associated with heavy rainfall. Through sensitivity analysis, it was found that the properties of the colliery spoil played an important role in confining the extent of the landslide and controlling the process of its development. The findings underscore the detrimental effects of increased pore pressures, induced by heavy rainfall, on the stability of colliery tips, highlighting the urgent needs for local government to enhance water management strategies for this region.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081311
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1312: Impact of Industrial Intelligence on
China’s Urban Land Green Utilization Efficiency
Authors: Chunyan Zhao, Linjing Wang, Chaobo Zhou
First page: 1312
Abstract: Against the backdrop of the fourth technological revolution, industrial intelligence (INDI) represented by industrial robots has rapidly developed. This evolution provides favorable opportunities for precise decision-making in pollution control and achieving China’s “dual carbon” goals. Previous studies have mainly discussed the economic effects of INDI from the perspective of the labor market. This study shifts its focus to examining the impact of INDI on the land green utilization efficiency (LGUE) in cities. Using the panel data of Chinese cities spanning 2009–2021, this study empirically tests the effect and transmission mechanism of INDI on LGUE. We find that urban INDI significantly enhances LGUE. In terms of its transmission mechanism, INDI drives improvements in urban LGUE through technological progress, energy structure optimization, and industrial structure upgrading. Urban infrastructure construction and financial agglomeration level can further strengthen the positive impact of INDI on LGUE. In addition, the improvement in LGUE due to INDI is more significant in non-resource-based and large-sized cities than resource-based and small and medium-sized cities. Therefore, each region should enhance the integration of intelligent technology with traditional industrial manufacturing. Doing so is essential to establish comprehensive assessment indicators that balance environmental protection and economic growth, strengthen regional information infrastructure construction, ensure steady financial flow, and support green development initiatives across regions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081312
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1313: Progress in Remote Sensing and GIS-Based FDI
Research Based on Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Zifeng Li
First page: 1313
Abstract: Foreign direct investment (FDI) by transnational companies (TNCs) is the primary indicator of urban globalization. The initial publication on the topic of remote sensing and geographic information system-based urban globalization research was published in 1981. However, the number of publications on this topic remains relatively limited. Despite some advances in the field in recent decades, there is currently no comprehensive review of related research, and it is not clear how the different perspectives and views have been developed. Furthermore, previous literature reviews on the utilization of remote sensing and GIS technology in urban development have predominantly employed quantitative methodologies, which has resulted in a paucity of qualitative analysis. In order to address these shortcomings, this paper employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses. This entails the utilization of a combination of the scientometric method and a qualitative literature review method. The findings are as follows: (1) The number of publications is still relatively limited, and research in this area is still in its infancy. (2) Some of the articles are evidently interdisciplinary in nature. (3) Progress has been made in terms of geographic visualization of FDI, macro-environmental research at different scales, global value chains, the micro-geography of TNCs, and globalization of the geo-information industry. (4) The spatial and temporal development pattern, location, and accessibility of FDI have constituted a significant area of research interest in the past. Similarly, the relationships between FDI and regional development, urban growth, land use, and environmental change have emerged as prominent research directions. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is an emerging popular topic. (5) In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of papers employing multi-source data and multi-method approaches. (6) The extent of research collaborations between countries is relatively limited, with the majority of such collaborations occurring within the past five years. Finally, based on these research findings, this paper suggests future research directions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081313
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1314: Spatiotemporal Variations in Fingerprinting
Sediment Sources in a Watershed Disturbed by Construction
Authors: Baicheng Zhu, Longxi Cao, Sen Yang, Heping Pan, Fei Liu, Yaping Kong
First page: 1314
Abstract: Engineering construction disturbs the Earth’s surface and exacerbates soil erosion, resulting in sediment contributions at the watershed scale, the spatiotemporal variation of which remains to be clarified. Based on a typically disturbed catchment, soil samples were collected from sources such as forests, grasslands, spoil heaps, and exposed slopes. Sediment deposition was sampled in 2022 and 2023 along the main channel and fingerprinting technology was employed to calculate the relative contributions of different sources. The results indicated that the optimal composite fingerprints comprising Na₂O, Li, Sr, and Ce could effectively resolve the contributions of different sources. Natural sources were the main sediment contributors, but the average contribution decreased from 72.96% to 58.73% over two periods. In contrast, the contribution of spoil heaps and exposed slopes increased from 27.04% to 41.27% and the area percentage increased from 0.18% to 0.30%. The spoil heap represents the relatively large area of disturbance and its contact length with the river determines the sediment contribution rates, which varied spatially in a quadratic trend along the channel. Meanwhile, the sediment contribution of relatively small and dispersed exposed slopes could be quantified using a linear equation of the disturbance weighting indicator (DWI) composed of disturbed area and flow distance. These results would be helpful in assessing the environmental impact of engineering disturbances and optimizing mitigation measures.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081314
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1315: Towards the Wall or the Bridge' A Case Study of
Host–Guest Symbiosis in a Chinese Heritage Tourism Site
Authors: Hui Tao, Xiaoying Chen, Yehong Sun, Zhe Wang
First page: 1315
Abstract: The close connection between community residents and tourists in heritage tourism sites strengthens the relationship between people and places. To explore the mechanisms of host–guest interaction and the driving factors of residents’ willingness to participate in tourism in heritage tourism destinations, this study adopts a mixed-method approach combining qualitative research and quantitative analysis. The results of the study show that host–guest symbiosis in heritage tourism destinations goes through four stages: identity qualification, bodily co-presence, common focus, and emotional solidarity. Quantitative research (SEM) reveals the impact of residents’ welcoming nature, emotional closeness, and sympathetic understanding towards tourists on the sense of community belonging, as well as the subsequent response of willingness to participate in tourism. Through the analysis of the host–guest interaction mechanisms and symbiotic relationships in heritage tourism sites, the key emotional factors influencing residents’ participation in tourism are revealed.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-19
DOI: 10.3390/land13081315
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1316: Spatial–Temporal Changes and Driving
Factor Analysis of Net Ecosystem Productivity in Heilongjiang Province
from 2010 to 2020
Authors: Hui Zhang, Zhenghong He, Liwen Zhang, Rong Cong, Wantong Wei
First page: 1316
Abstract: Net ecosystem productivity (NEP) is an important indicator for the quantitative evaluation of carbon sources/sinks in terrestrial ecosystems. An improved CASA model and soil respiration model, combined with MODIS and meteorological data, are utilized to estimate vegetation NEP from 2010 to 2020. A Theil–Sen trend analysis, a Mann–Kendall test, the Hurst index, and geographical detector methods were employed to analyze the spatiotemporal variations in NEP in Heilongjiang Province and its driving factors. The results show the following: (1) The overall NEP in Heilongjiang Province exhibited a fluctuating upward trend from 2010 to 2020, with a growth rate of 4.74 g C·m−2·yr−1, and an average annual NEP of 404 g C·m−2·yr−1. Spatially, NEP exhibits a distribution pattern of “low from east to west to high from north to south in the central region”, with 99.27% of the area being a carbon sink. (2) Significant regional differences were observed in the spatial trend of NEP changes, with 78.39% of regions showing increasing trends and 17.53% showing decreasing trends. Future NEP changes are expected to continue, with regions showing a persistent increase (58.44%), potential decrease (19.95%), potential increase (5.65%), and persistent decrease (11.88%). (3) The geographical detector results indicate that altitude is the dominant factor affecting NEP, followed by slope, temperature, population density, etc. The interaction-detector results show that the interaction between each factor shows an increasing trend, and the interaction between any two factors is higher than that of a single factor. The research results can provide scientific references for reducing emissions, increasing sinks, and protecting ecosystems in Heilongjiang Province.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-20
DOI: 10.3390/land13081316
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1317: Land-Use Conflict Dynamics, Patterns, and
Drivers under Rapid Urbanization
Authors: Guojian Wang, Jianguo Wang, Lingzhi Wang, Yi Zhang, Wenxuan Zhang
First page: 1317
Abstract: Conflict over land use is an issue that all countries are experiencing in the accelerated process of urbanization and industrialization. Research on the identification and characterization of land-use conflicts is an important basis for promoting the sustainable development of regional land use. Taking Hebei Province under the background of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei integration as the research object, this article combines the SCCI model and the LUF model to study the land-use flush in the process of rapid urbanization from the dimensions of land-use landscape conflict and land-use function conflict. The results of this study point out that land-use conflicts in the region have gone through a developmental course of intensification of heavy conflicts, slowing down, and then smoothing out. The exacerbation of land-use conflicts is synchronized with the time pattern of construction and development in the accelerated industrialization and urbanization of Hebei, while the activities of arable land occupation and compensation balance and land ecological management produce lagging land-use conflicts. The spatial pattern is characterized by dispersed and random conflicts in the plains, concentrated conflicts in the mountain stream zones, and stable conflicts in the ecological zones within the mountains in the mountainous areas. The role of externalities and internalities from within the region and in the coordinated development of the region has led to the coexistence of developmental and governance land-use conflicts in Hebei Province, and the geographic environment has a constraining effect on the spatial differentiation of these conflicts. Along with the strong implementation of China’s eco-governance and use-control systems, developmental land-use conflicts from the region will be effectively curbed, but the risk of overlapping developmental conflicts and lagging governance conflicts from coordinated regional development is a key focus for conflict prevention in the future.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-20
DOI: 10.3390/land13081317
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1318: Improving Urban Ecological Welfare Performance:
An ST-LMDI Approach to the Yangtze River Economic Belt
Authors: Jie Yang, Zhigang Li
First page: 1318
Abstract: Enhancing urban ecological welfare performance is essential for achieving sustainable urban development and fostering a comprehensive regional green transformation. This study develops a quantitative assessment framework for urban ecological welfare performance, grounded in both the welfare of urban residents and their consumption of ecological resources. Employing the spatio-temporal Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index model to dissect the ecological welfare performance across 108 key prefecture-level cities within China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt, considering both temporal and spatial dimensions, the analysis reveals a “W”-shaped trajectory in the ecological welfare performance from 2006 to 2022, characterized by pronounced spatial disparities. Particularly in the downstream coastal regions and notably the Yangtze River Delta, advantages in social and economic structures, along with public fiscal outlays, contribute to a superior ecological welfare performance, exhibiting a notable spatial spillover effect. The study introduces six key factors—social benefit, economic benefit, population dispersion, population density in urban areas, urbanization scale, and ecological sustainability—to examine their influence on ecological welfare performance, uncovering substantial differences in the outcomes of temporal and spatial decomposition. Temporal decomposition indicates that economic benefit and urbanization scale are the primary drivers enhancing ecological welfare performance, whereas population dispersion is identified as the primary inhibitor. Spatial decomposition reveals that the determinants of above-average urban ecological welfare vary regionally and undergo dynamic shifts over time. Overall, a holistic understanding of the interplay among economic growth, ecological preservation, and the enhancement of residents’ welfare can inform the development and execution of tailored policies by local governments.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-20
DOI: 10.3390/land13081318
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1319: Evaluating the Quality of Children’s
Active School Travel Spaces and the Mechanisms of School District
Friendliness Impact Based on Multi-Source Big Data
Authors: Chenyu Lu, Changbin Yu, Xiaowan Liu
First page: 1319
Abstract: With the advancement of child-friendly urban planning initiatives, the significance of Active School Travel Spaces (ASTSs) in shaping urban development and promoting the physical and mental well-being of children has become increasingly apparent. This research focuses on 151 public primary schools in the central urban area of Lanzhou City. Utilizing the Amap pedestrian route planning API, we establish a walking route network, evaluate the paths using spatial syntax and street view recognition methods, and analyze their influencing factors using a Geographic Detector model. The results show the following: ① The overall friendliness of ASTSs in Lanzhou City is moderate, with 44% of school districts exhibiting low friendliness. ② The distribution of child friendliness in ASTS exhibits a “core-periphery” pattern. Anning District demonstrates higher friendliness compared to Chengguan District and Qilihe District, while Xigu District exhibits the lowest level of friendliness. ③ Different levels of friendliness have different tendencies for access, safety, and comfort. A high degree of friendliness favors comfort. Low friendliness has the lowest requirements for safety and comfort. ④ Population density and transportation convenience exert a significant positive impact on friendliness, while the size of the school district and the centrality of schools have a negative impact. The synergistic effects among these influencing factors notably enhance the explanatory power of friendliness.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081319
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1320: Assessing the Dynamics of Land Use/Land Cover
Changes between 1974 and 2016: A Study Case of the Bustillos Basin Using
Remote Sensing
Authors: Saúl Valencia-Gaspar, Fernanda Mejía-Leyva, María C. Valles-Aragón, Martin Martinez-Salvador, Nathalie S. Hernández-Quiroz, Myrna C. Nevarez-Rodríguez, Pablito M. López-Serrano, Griselda Vázquez-Quintero
First page: 1320
Abstract: Land use and land cover changes (LULC) are one of the main factors in global environmental change, as well as one of the main causes of soil and biodiversity loss. The main objective of this research was to determine the dynamics of land use changes in the Bustillos basin located in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico. The research consisted of the processing and analysis of satellite images from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM5) and Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI8). From the classifications obtained through satellite images, six categories of land use were obtained and later were compared through the use of a cross-tabulation matrix. The results showed that the use of remote sensors applied to the evaluation of the dynamics of land use changes allowed for knowing the changes that occurred in a period of 43 years. To compare the land use of the years 1974 and 2016, maps were obtained with soil covers. This served as the basis for the analysis of the changes that occurred. In this way, it was possible to determine the growth of the urban area (7851.48 hectares) due to the development of economic activity and the increase in population. The category that had a more significant increase was the agricultural areas with a gain in surface of the sub-basin of 28,334.23 hectares. The grassland class lost 21,385.28 hectares; this area was associated with the class of agricultural areas and urban areas. The oak–pine forest had losses of 9150.03 hectares, as well as the pine forest (586.06 hectares). Finally, the class of water bodies lost 228.02 hectares. The results showed that the implementation of dynamic LULC using geographic information systems could be adopted as a planning tool to manage LULC in the Bustillos basin in the future.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081320
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1321: Assessing the Efficiency of Two Silvicultural
Authors: Pietro Salvaneschi, Antonio Pica, Ciro Apollonio, Teodoro Andrisano, Massimo Pecci, Andrea Petroselli, Bartolomeo Schirone
First page: 1321
Abstract: Soil erosion and hydrogeological risk are critical phenomena gaining increased recognition within the scientific community. Although these occurrences are naturally occurring, human activities can exacerbate their impacts. For example, deforestation consistently amplifies soil erosion. This study examines two distinct forest management strategies aimed at addressing soil erosion: the Banded Standards Method (BSM) and the Scattered Standards Method (SSM). We conducted a field experiment in two test areas located in central Italy, with one area employing the BSM and the other implementing the SSM. Two soil erosion plots were established, representing prototypes of a novel erosion monitoring apparatus called the Natural Erosion Trap (NET), or Diabrosimeter, specifically designed for forest environments. At regular intervals, particularly after significant storm events, sediment and leaf litter accumulated within the erosion plots were collected, dried, and weighed to quantify erosion rates and assess the efficacy of the silvicultural methods under investigation. The results revealed a 30.72% reduction in the eroded material with BSM compared to SSM, underscoring BSM’s ability to mitigate potential hazards and preserve environmental integrity.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081321
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1322: Identifying Trade-Offs and Synergies of
Production–Living–Ecological Functions and Their Drivers: The
Case of Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations in China
Authors: Liang Zheng, Yajing Wang, Hui Yang, Yuzhe Bi, Lei Xu, Ying Wang
First page: 1322
Abstract: Urban agglomerations are products of urban development, and their regional spaces and functions are more diverse than other cities, which have very high spatial and functional complexity. It is important to clarify the relationships between production–living–ecological (PLE) functions in urban agglomerations to achieve sustainable development. In this study, we took the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomerations (MRYRUA) as an example to construct an evaluation index system of regional PLE functions in urban agglomerations. Then, the Pearson correlation model and geographically weighted regression were applied to investigate the relationships between PLE functions and their driving forces. The results showed that the PLE functions in the MRYRUA increased from 2008 to 2018, with the level of the ecological function being higher than the production and living functions. The relationships among PLE functions were dominated by synergies in most cities, though trade-offs had become more evident in the last few years for the whole study area. Trade-offs and synergies among PLE functions were influenced by both natural and socioeconomic factors, with the latter having a stronger effect. Our findings provide a reference for understanding the spatial variations and trade-offs among PLE functions in MRYRUA as well as for balancing the development of PLE functions.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081322
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1323: Landscape Reconstruction with Earth-and-Timber
Medieval Stronghold—Immersive Geovisualization
Authors: Jakub Zawadzki, Beata Medyńska-Gulij
First page: 1323
Abstract: This study focuses on the problem of reconstruction and immersive visualization of cultural heritage objects such as medieval strongholds. Geomatics-specific methods were applied, based on the use of reference data such as maps, topographic databases, LIDAR, aerial photography, and three-dimensional modeling. Search and transformation of reconstructed historical data were also carried out according to various historical–geographical–archaeological theories. The result of the work was the creation of a desktop application that presents the interactive landscape reconstruction as an immersive geovisualization of a typical medieval Eastern European earth-and-timber stronghold in two time periods and in its current state. Conclusions include the changes in land topographical levels, demonstrating how the topographical level has changed over time, and data identification to categorize and process it in order to visualize cultural heritage objects such as medieval strongholds in today’s landscape.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081323
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1324: Assessment of the Impacts of Climate and Land
Use Changes on Water Yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin
Authors: Xinxin Yang, Xinchen Gu, Pei Zhang, Jing Liu, Wenjia Zhang, Aihua Long
First page: 1324
Abstract: The Ebinur Lake Basin is an ecologically sensitive area in the arid region of northwest China. In recent years, the ecological environment in the basin has continued to deteriorate, and the ecosystem function has been seriously degraded. However, among the functions of the ecosystem in the Ebinur Lake Basin, the water production function is considered to be the core upholding the ecological equilibrium and security of the basin. Water production can reflect the environmental service function, which is essential for the economic vitality and ecological well-being of the basin. The factors that impact water yield are diverse; moreover, of these, climate change and land use conversion are particularly significant. Therefore, understanding how these changes affect water yield will help to formulate proper water management strategies in the basin. Using the InVEST model, this study examined how the water yield evolved and was distributed across the Ebinur Lake Basin between 2000 and 2020 while considering both the temporal and spatial dimensions. Using this foundation, the scenario analysis approach was utilized to explore the impact of climate change and land use conversion on water yield by controlling the variables, and the response of the water yield to climate and land use change was discussed. It was concluded that water yield was on an upward trend from 2000 to 2010, was on a downward trend from 2010 to 2020, and declined from 2000 to 2020 as a whole. Regarding the water yield distribution, higher-water-producing areas were found predominantly in the northwest and southeast and along the higher-altitude rim of the basin. Among the various land categories, the primary types were grassland and unused land, both of which equally and substantially contributed to the water yield, contributing over 85% to the overall water yield. The response of the water yield varied significantly among various land use types when their areas changed, and the land conversion over this period contributed to a slight decline in water yield across the basin. The influence of climate change on water yield in the Ebinur Lake Basin during the study period surpassed that of land use by a wide margin, constituting more than 86% of the total impact. This study can provide relevant information for relevant policies and decisions on the optimal allocation of land use in the Ebinur Lake Basin and can provide scientific development for the comprehensive evaluation of water resources and sustainable development of the basin.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081324
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1325: Sustainable Transportation Assessment Index
(SusTAIN) Framework for Mixed-Use Neighborhoods in India
Authors: Swati Bahale, Thorsten Schuetze
First page: 1325
Abstract: Neighborhood sustainability assessment (NSA) systems assess neighborhood sustainability through different themes. Most NSA systems originated from developed countries, with limitations in assessing micro-level transportation infrastructure. The NSA systems lack alignment with Indian regulations and policies and have limitations in assessing informal transportation modes, affordability, and street-vending-related issues. This research developed the sustainable transportation assessment index (SusTAIN) framework to assess mixed-use neighborhoods in India and overcome the limitations of NSA systems. The method was to identify and evaluate qualitative and quantitative indicators and sub-indicators from NSA systems, Indian transportation regulations and policies, and transportation system studies from the literature. Indicators were integrated into the four subthemes of (i) accessibility, (ii) mobility nodes and network, (iii) external factors associated with mobility, and (iv) land-use and socioeconomic factors’ assessment. The authors evaluated the framework through the Geographical Information System (GIS), site surveys, and benchmark values from the literature. This research demonstrated the interrelationship of indicators and the sub-indicators between them. Finally, the authors discussed the SusTAIN composite index formation method. The framework is vital for the local application of national sustainable urban development policies. The SusTAIN framework application enables local governments to evaluate the transportation sustainability of neighborhoods and identify potential optimization areas.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081325
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1326: Digital Walking Tours as a Tool for Assessing
Authors: Frances Simmons, Benjamin D. Hennig, Matthias Kokorsch
First page: 1326
Abstract: Understanding a community’s place attachment is vital for effective land-use planning and disaster risk management that aligns with local needs and priorities. This study examines the methodologies employed to grasp these values, emphasising the significance of meaningful participatory approaches. It sheds light on the challenges encountered due to COVID-19 restrictions, which prevented direct face-to-face engagement with community members. To address this issue, researchers devised “digital walking tours” as an alternative to traditional walking transect methods, aiming to investigate the relationship between place attachment and perceptions of the landscape in Patreksfjörður, a small fishing community in the Westfjords, during the pandemic. The evaluation of this method demonstrated its suitability for conducting comprehensive and cost-effective community consultations. Participants expressed enjoyment and found the technology (online video calls and StreetView imagery) user-friendly and engaging. To further enhance the method, several recommendations are proposed, including the integration of virtual tours with in-person methods whenever feasible, incorporating additional sensory input, adopting a slower pace, and offering more opportunities for participants to divert to personally significant locations. Other contextual considerations encompass the use of participants’ native language and the facilitation of digital walking tours with pairs or small groups of participants.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-21
DOI: 10.3390/land13081326
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1327: Evaluation of
Water–Carbon–Ecological Footprint and Its
Spatial–Temporal Changes in the North China Plain
Authors: Keyi Lyu, Jin Tian, Jiayu Zheng, Cuiling Zhang, Ling Yu
First page: 1327
Abstract: The North China Plain (NCP) serves as the main grain production land in China, functioning as a critical region for ensuring China’s food security. To address the multifaceted challenges confronting food security in the NCP, the study embarked on a comprehensive analysis of the synergistic interactions between agricultural water usage, carbon emissions, and ecosystem health. By proposing footprint family indicators and using the bottom-up IPCC coefficient approach, this study quantitatively evaluates the spatial–temporal changes of water–carbon–ecological footprints in NCP from 2003 to 2020. Furthermore, a coupling coordination degree model that focuses on the coordination of water–carbon–ecological footprints is established. The findings are as follows: (1) The total water footprint in the NCP showed a striking increasing trend with an increase of 1.52 × 1011 m3, and the carbon footprint increased by 1.27 × 109 t, with significant ecological impacts. (2) The NCP’s ecological footprint exhibited an “M”-shaped trend. The land structure maintained stable with negligible changes in the proportion of ecological footprints. (3) The coupling degree between the footprints of water, carbon, and ecology in the NCP is high, revealing a noteworthy interaction effect. This research can provide data support for effective resources allocation and sustainable social–economic development, offering reasonable insights for China to formulate more scientific policies of green transition in land use and ecological civilization construction.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081327
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1328: Neighborhood Effects of Blue Space in
Historical Environments on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Case Study
of the Ancient City of Suzhou, China
Authors: Zihan Yang, Jianqiang Yang, Shenglan Chen
First page: 1328
Abstract: With the rapid aging of the global population, China’s old urban areas, especially historical urban areas, are facing a more severe aging situation. In the context of heritage protection, the development and regeneration of historical urban areas are restricted. They usually face the aging and decay of housing, infrastructure, and public service facilities, which are harmful neighborhood environmental factors to the health development of older adults. Since the World Health Organization adopted “healthy aging” as a development strategy to deal with population aging, the mental health of older adults has become an increasingly important public health issue. A growing body of research demonstrates the positive impact of blue spaces (including oceans, rivers, lakes, wetlands, ponds, etc.) on older adults’ mental health, yet evidence on the potential of blue spaces in a historical environment to promote mental health among older adults remains limited. Therefore, exploring the neighborhood impact of blue space on the mental health of older adults has become a new entry point to provide an age-friendly environment for older adults in the ancient city. This study uses multi-source data such as community questionnaire data, remote sensing images, urban street view images, and environmental climate data of the ancient city of Suzhou, to extract a variety of blue space quantitative indicators, and uses the hierarchical linear model and mediation effect model to explore the neighborhood impact of blue space exposure in the historical environment on older adults, to try to explore the impact path and formation mechanism behind it. The result is that exposure to neighborhood blue space in Suzhou’s historic urban area is significantly related to the mental health of older adults. Additionally, neighborhood blue space exposure improves the mental health of older adults by relieving stress and promoting physical activities and social interaction. The health effects of neighborhood blue space exposure vary among elderly groups with different age and income stratifications, and have a greater impact on the healthy lifestyle and mental health of older adults in younger and lower-income aging groups. Based on a multidisciplinary theoretical perspective, this study enriches the empirical literature on the impact of blue space on the mental health of older adults in historical environments and provides a scientific basis for the regeneration planning of “healthy neighborhoods” and “healthy aging” in historical urban areas.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081328
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1329: Optimizing Maize Productivity and Soil
Fertility: Insights from Tillage, Nitrogen Management, and Hydrochar
Applications
Authors: Waleed Iqbal, Ahmad Khan, Aftab Jamal, Emanuele Radicetti, Mohamed Farouk Elsadek, Mohammad Ajmal Ali, Roberto Mancinelli
First page: 1329
Abstract: Enhancing soil fertility and maize productivity is crucial for sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tillage practices, nitrogen management strategies, and acidified hydrochar on soil fertility and maize productivity. The experiment used a randomized complete block design with split-split plot arrangement and four replications. Main plots received shallow tillage and deep tillage. Subplots were treated with nitrogen (120 kg ha−1) from farmyard manure (FYM) and urea, including control, 33% FYM + 67% urea (MU), and 80% FYM + 20% urea (MF). Acidified hydrochar treatments H0 (no hydrochar) and H1 (with hydrochar, 2 t ha−1) were applied to sub-sub plots. Deep tillage significantly increased plant height, biological yield, grain yield, ear length, grains ear−1, thousand-grain weight, and nitrogen content compared to shallow tillage. MU and MF improved growth parameters and yield over the control. Hydrochar effects varied; H1 enhanced yield components and soil properties such as soil organic matter and nitrogen availability compared to H0. Canonical discriminant analysis linked deep tillage and MU/MF nitrogen management with improved yield and soil characteristics. In conclusion, deep tillage combined with integrated nitrogen management enhances maize productivity and soil properties. These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate tillage and nitrogen strategies for sustainable maize production along with hydrochar addition. These insights guide policymakers, agronomists, and agricultural extension services in adopting evidence-based strategies for sustainable agriculture, enhancing food production, and mitigating environmental impacts. The implication of this study suggests to undertake long-term application of hydrochar for further clarification and validation.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081329
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1330: A Multi-Scenario Analysis of Urban Vitality
Driven by Socio-Ecological Land Functions in Luohe, China
Authors: Xinyu Wang, Tian Bai, Yang Yang, Guifang Wang, Guohang Tian, László Kollányi
First page: 1330
Abstract: Urban Vitality (UV) is a critical indicator for measuring sustainable urban development and quality. It reflects the dynamic interactions and supply–demand coordination within urban systems, especially concerning the human–land relationship. This study aims to quantify the UV of Luohe City, China, for the year 2023, analyze its spatial characteristics, and investigate the driving patterns of socio-ecological land functions on UV intensity and heterogeneity under different scenarios. Utilizing multi-source data, including human mobility data from Baidu Location-Based Services (LBSs), Landsat-9, MODIS, and diverse geo-information datasets, we conducted factor screening and comprehensive assessments. Firstly, Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs) were employed to identify typical activity patterns, and the Urban Vitality Index (UVI) was calculated based on Human Mobility Intensity (HMI) data. Subsequently, a framework for quantity–quality–structure assessments weighted and aggregated sub-indicators to evaluate the Land Social Function (LSF) and Land Ecological Function (LEF). Following the screening process, a Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) was applied to analyze the scale and driving relationships between UVI and the land assessment sub-indicators. The results were as follows: (1) The UV distribution in Luohe City was highly uneven, with high vitality areas concentrated within the built-up regions. (2) UV showed significant correlations with both LSF and LEF. The influence of LSF on UV was stronger than that of LEF, with the effectiveness of LEF relying on the well-established provisioning of LSF. (3) Artificial Surface Ratio (ASR) and Corrected Night Lights (LERNCI) were identified as key drivers of UV across multiple scenarios. Under the weekend scenario, the Green Space Ratio (GSR) and the Vegetation Quality (VQ) notably enhanced the attractiveness of human activities. (4) The impacts of drivers varied at the urban, township, and street scales. The analysis focuses on factors with significant bandwidth changes across multiple scenarios: VQ, Remote-Sensing-based Ecological Index (RSEI), GSR, ASR, and ALSI. This study underscores the importance of socio-ecological land functions in enhancing urban vitality, offering valuable insights and data support for urban planning.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081330
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1331: Comparative Analysis of Machine-Learning Models
for Soil Moisture Estimation Using High-Resolution Remote-Sensing Data
Authors: Ming Li, Yueguan Yan
First page: 1331
Abstract: Soil moisture is an important component of the hydrologic cycle and ecosystem functioning, and it has a significant impact on agricultural production, climate change and natural disasters. Despite the availability of machine-learning techniques for estimating soil moisture from high-resolution remote-sensing imagery, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and optical remote sensing, comprehensive comparative studies of these techniques remain limited. This paper addresses this gap by systematically comparing the performance of four tree-based ensemble-learning models (random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), light gradient-boosting machine (LightGBM), and category boosting (CatBoost)) and three deep-learning models (deep neural network (DNN), convolutional neural network (CNN), and gated recurrent unit (GRU)) in terms of soil moisture estimation. Additionally, we introduce and evaluate the effectiveness of four different stacking methods for model fusion, an approach that is relatively novel in this context. Moreover, Sentinel-1 C-band dual-polarization SAR and Sentinel-2 multispectral data, as well as NASADEM and geographical code and temporal code features, are used as input variables to retrieve the soil moisture in the ShanDian River Basin in China. Our findings reveal that the tree-based ensemble-learning models outperform the deep-learning models, with LightGBM being the best individual model, while the stacking approach can further enhance the accuracy and robustness of soil moisture estimation. Moreover, the stacking all boosting classes ensemble-learning model (SABM), which integrates only boosting-type models, demonstrates superior accuracy and robustness in soil moisture estimation. The SHAP value analysis reveals that ensemble learning can utilize more complex features than deep learning. This study provides an effective method for retrieving soil moisture using machine-learning and high-resolution remote-sensing data, demonstrating the application value of SAR data and high-resolution optical remote-sensing data in soil moisture monitoring.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081331
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1332: Review of Modeling Approaches at the Freshwater
and Saltwater interface in Coastal Aquifers
Authors: Mamoon Ismail, Soni M. Pradhanang, Thomas Boving, Sophia Motta, Brendan McCarron, Ashley Volk
First page: 1332
Abstract: Around 40% of the world’s population depends on coastal aquifers for freshwater supply but natural and anthropogenic drivers threaten groundwater availability. Of these drivers, saltwater intrusion (SWI) is one of the most critical and is increasingly affecting coastal areas worldwide. Interest in coastal aquifers has significantly increased, as demonstrated by the growing number of publications in which researchers describe various approaches to illuminate the importance of coastal aquifers, specifically with regard to SWI. The state of research and knowledge of the coastal SWI issue has been reviewed herein. The review includes a discussion of select geophysical and field methods and tools which can inform the numerical modeling of coastal aquifers. MODFLOW was identified as the most often used numerical modeling platform. Further, while many research sites, particularly in the United States, were identified where field studies and geophysical methods, mostly geoelectric ones, added important value to the numerical modeling of the SWI process in the coastal zone, in some regions of the world, data scarcity was identified as the main challenge. Overall, numerical modeling, combined with geophysical methods, is a valuable tool for studying SWI and managing coastal water resources.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081332
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1333: Spatiotemporal Dynamics in Bird Species
Assembly in the Coastal Wetlands of Sicily (Italy): A Multilevel
Analytical Approach to Promote More Satisfactory Conservation Planning
Authors: Alessandro Ferrarini, Claudio Celada, Marco Gustin
First page: 1333
Abstract: The Sicilian wetlands (Italy) are seriously threatened by human activities and ongoing climate change. The loss of these wetlands as migratory stepping stones could severely hamper the migratory flow of many bird species along the central Mediterranean. Targeted actions for the conservation of the avifauna require thorough knowledge of the utilization that waterbirds make of these habitats. Aiming to inform planning for more satisfactory bird habitat management and bird diversity preservation along the Mediterranean migratory bird flyway, in this study, we inventoried the avian metacommunity of the coastal wetlands in Sicily during the most critical period of the year (July–September) and used a multilevel analytical framework to explore the spatiotemporal dynamics in bird species assemblages. We recorded 73 bird species, of which almost 90% were migratory and 30 belonged to Annex I of the Birds Directive. At the metacommunity level, we found that all the biodiversity metrics were low in July and approximately doubled in the successive sampling sessions (August–September), where they showed little if any change. At the community level, we detected two main clusters of wetlands with regard to species richness, of which one (wetlands Baronello, Gela, Gornalunga, and Roveto) was characterized by higher levels of species richness in nearly all the sampling dates. The pattern of species richness in the Sicilian wetlands was most similar between the first and second half of August, while July was very dissimilar from all the other sampling dates. At the guild level, we found a significant increase during July–September in the number of the species belonging to the “Mediterranean” migration guild and the “divers from the surface” and “surface feeders” foraging guilds. At the species level, we detected a significant temporal sequence of the occurrence of waterbird species: two species were only early dwellers in July, ten species were only late dwellers in September, and twenty-six species made use of the Sicilian wetlands all summer long. The spatial distribution of the waterbird species differed significantly between any pair of sampling dates. Overall, the Little Grebe, the Spotted Redshank, and the Little Tern were the bird species with the highest site infidelity; by contrast, the Black Stork, the Broad-billed Sandpiper, the European Golden Plover, the Common Shelduck, and the Black-necked Grebe changed their spatial distribution among wetlands the least during July–September. Our study allowed us to detect (1) the wetlands and (2) the waterbird species to which the priority for conservation should be assigned, as well as (3) the exact time span during July–September when conservation measures should be mandatory, and not only advisable. These results provide a broader insight of the space–time patterns in bird species assembly in the coastal wetlands of Sicily during the critical summer period.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081333
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1334: Pursuing Urban Sustainability in Dynamic
Balance Based on the DPSIR Framework: Evidence from Six Chinese Cities
Authors: Xueying Yang, Zhongqi Yang, Lili Quan, Bin Xue
First page: 1334
Abstract: Amidst the mounting global challenges associated with climate change and resource depletion, achieving sustainable development is paramount. Focusing on cities as vital scenarios for pursuing sustainability, this research measured urban sustainability and identified its obstacles. Employing the DPSIR (Driver–Pressure–State–Impact–Response) framework, we establish a metric system with 25 indicators to assess the urban sustainability of six innovation zones in China and identify their developmental impediments to sustainability with an obstacle model. The core findings of the study are as follows: First, over the five-year period, all six cities demonstrated a consistent increase in their urban sustainability levels except for Shenzhen, which experienced a decline from its top position among these cities due to a decrease in its score from 0.44296 to 0.36942 in 2017. Second, there was consistent urban sustainability progress in five cities, with the exception of Shenzhen, from 2016 to 2020. Third, inadequate government response emerges as a primary obstacle across all six cities, marked by shortcomings in public expenditure, R&D investment, and healthcare. Every year, all six cities experienced more than 60% obstacle degrees in terms of response, with the exception of Shenzhen in 2016. The urban sustainability pursuit model we developed bridges urban sustainability theory with practical interventions, promoting adaptive governance. In addition, this study provides scholars and policymakers with a comprehensive approach to gauging urban sustainability, recognizing obstacles, and designing strategies for a sustainable urban future.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081334
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1335: Optimization of Land Use Structure Based on the
Coupling of GMOP and PLUS Models: A Case Study of Lvliang City, China
Authors: Zhen Wang, Anya Zhong, Quanzhi Li
First page: 1335
Abstract: Reasonable land use planning and management efficiently allocates land resources, promotes socio-economic development, protects the ecological environment, and fosters sustainable development. It is a crucial foundation for achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Optimizing land use is key to land use planning and management. Four scenarios are established: an economic development scenario (EDS), an ecological protection scenario (EPS), a natural development scenario (NDS), and a coordinated development scenario (CDS). This study simulates land use patterns under these scenarios through the coupling of the GMOP and PLUS models. It analyzes the land use efficiency transformation index, landscape ecological index, comprehensive land use benefits, and ecosystem service value (ESV) for each pattern. The optimal land use pattern is determined by balancing these factors. The results indicated that under the CDS, the areas of wasteland, grassland, forest land, water bodies, construction land, and unused land in Lvliang City were 6724.29 km2, 6664.74 km2, 6581.84 km2, 126.94 km2, 1017.33 km2, and 0.42 km2, respectively. This represented the optimal land use plan for Lvliang City. The plan minimized human interference with the landscape pattern, achieved the highest land use efficiency transformation index, and reached a reasonable balance between land use benefits and ESV. The research findings provide valuable insights and decision support for regional land use planning, territorial space planning, and related policy formulation.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081335
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
- Land, Vol. 13, Pages 1336: Ecosystem Health Assessment of the Manas River
Basin: Application of the CC-PSR Model Improved by Coupling Coordination
Degree
Authors: Ruiming Xiao, Yuxuan Qiao, Xiaobin Dong, Huize Ren, Xuechao Wang, Peng Zhang, Qiaoru Ye, Xiaomin Xiao
First page: 1336
Abstract: In the context of high-quality development, scientifically and objectively assessing regional ecosystem health (EH) is important for ecological civilization. However, the commonly used EH assessment framework typically neglects intrinsic connections, mutual adaptability, and coordination among interrelated indicators. The coupling coordination model was utilized to improve the classic pressure–state–response assessment (PSR) model. The carbon footprint, water footprint, landscape pattern, and response status of the Manas River Basin were used to construct a medium-scale regional EH assessment framework linking natural ecosystems with human socioeconomic elements. A quantitative assessment was conducted on the EH conditions of the Manas River Basin from 2000 to 2020. Over the past 21 years, the EH conditions of the Manas River Basin have fluctuated upward. The ecosystem health index (EHI) increased from 0.18 to 0.37. Compared with the conventional PSR model, the coupling coordination pressure–state–response model (CC–PSR) better reflected the fluctuations in EH conditions caused by “pressure”, “state”, and “response” level changes. In the early stage (2000–2006), increasing human activity strongly pressured the regional ecosystem, limiting EH improvements. The increase in “pressure” was reflected in the increasing trends of the water footprint, carbon footprint, and ecological footprint. During the middle to late period (2009–2020), as the “response” level improved, the regional EH condition continued to increase, and the EHI stabilized between 0.29 and 0.38. Ecosystem resilience improvements and human afforestation projects enhanced the “response” level, but their impacts were noticeably delayed. Over the past 21 years, regional landscape diversity, landscape connectance, and landscape contagion have remained high. The well-maintained landscape pattern has laid the foundation for consolidating and improving the regional EH. The EHI is increasing; its fluctuations stem from periodic fluctuations in the regional water yield and carbon sequestration capacity, which are constrained by the basin climate and vegetation coverage. This study provides a scientific model for basin EH assessment.
Citation: Land
PubDate: 2024-08-22
DOI: 10.3390/land13081336
Issue No: Vol. 13, No. 8 (2024)
