Land | July 2024 - Browse Articles

16 pages, 3718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Corticolous Lichen Communities and Their Bioindication Potential in an Urban and Peri-Urban Ecosystem in the Central Region of Colombia

by Miguel Moreno-Palacios, Alfredo Torres-Benítez, Edier Soto-Medina, Marta Sánchez, Pradeep K. Divakar, Iris Pereira and María Pilar Gómez-Serranillos

Land 2024, 13(7), 932; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070932 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The richness, composition, abundance, and correlation with the atmospheric oxide concentrations of the community of corticolous lichens in the urban and peri-urban areas of the city of Ibagué (Colombia) were evaluated, selecting 25 individuals of the four most abundant phorophyte species. Twenty-nine lichen [...] Read more.

The richness, composition, abundance, and correlation with the atmospheric oxide concentrations of the community of corticolous lichens in the urban and peri-urban areas of the city of Ibagué (Colombia) were evaluated, selecting 25 individuals of the four most abundant phorophyte species. Twenty-nine lichen taxa grouped in 13 families and 17 genera were recorded, with a higher lichen coverage and taxa richness in the urban area. A non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis showed the conformation of two lichen communities associated with the urban and peri-urban areas of the city, and variation in composition among the phorophyte species. Exclusive and indicator taxa were found for both zones, as well as associations between variables through the application of a general linear model. Higher concentrations of atmospheric gases CO, SO₂, NO₂, and O₃ were found in the urban zone, and positive/negative relationships with some lichen taxa. There is high variability in the response of the lichen assemblage of urban and peri-urban ecosystems to environmental effects, with substantial or minimal changes in the variables of richness, coverage, and phorophyte association, and according to their interaction with atmospheric oxides, the patterns of potential tolerant and/or sensitive species are formed for their implementation in bioindication studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Ecosystem Services: 5th Edition)

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18 pages, 8073 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MaxEnt-Based Potential Distribution Mapping and Range Shift under Future Climatic Scenarios for an Alpine Bamboo Thamnocalamus spathiflorus in Northwestern Himalayas

by Rajendra K. Meena, Maneesh S. Bhandari, Pawan Kumar Thakur, Nitika Negi, Shailesh Pandey, Rama Kant, Rajesh Sharma, Netrananda Sahu and Ram Avtar

Land 2024, 13(7), 931; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070931 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Thamnocalamus spathiflorus is a shrubby woody bamboo invigorating at the alpine and sub-alpine region of the northwestern Himalayas. The present investigation was conducted to map the potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in the western Himalayas for current and future climate scenario using Ecological [...] Read more.

Thamnocalamus spathiflorus is a shrubby woody bamboo invigorating at the alpine and sub-alpine region of the northwestern Himalayas. The present investigation was conducted to map the potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in the western Himalayas for current and future climate scenario using Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM). In total, 125 geo-coordinates were collected for the species presence from Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK) states of India and modelled to predict the current distribution using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, along with 13 bioclimatic variables selected after multi-collinearity test. Model output was supported with a significant value of the Area Under the “Receiver Operating Characteristics” Curve (AUC = 0.975 ± 0.019), and other confusion matrix-derived accuracy measures. The variables, namely precipitation seasonality (Bio 15), precipitation (Prec), annual temperature range (Bio 7), and altitude (Alt) showed highest level of percentage contribution (72.2%) and permutation importance (60.9%) in predicting the habitat suitability of Th. spathiflorus. The actual (1 km² buffer zone) and predicted estimates of species cover were ~136 km² and ~982 km², respectively. The predicted range was extended from Chamba (HP) in the north to Pithoragarh (UK) in southeast, which further protracted to Nepal. Furthermore, the distribution modelling under future climate change scenarios (RCP 8.5) for year 2050 and 2070 showed an eastern centroidal shift with slight decline of the species area by ~16 km² and ~46 km², respectively. This investigation employed the Model for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate (MIROC6)–shared socio-economics pathways (SSP245) for cross-validation purposes. The model was used to determine the habitat suitability and potential distribution of Th. spathiflorus in relation to the current distribution and RCP 8.5 future scenarios for the years 2021–2040 and 2061–2080, respectively. It showed a significant decline in the distribution area of the species between year 2030 and 2070. Overall, this is the pioneer study revealing the eco-distribution prediction modelling of this important high-altitude bamboo species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Transformation, Climate Change and Agroecosystems Response and Adaptation)

32 pages, 1963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Social Media Users’ Visual and Emotional Preferences of Internet-Famous Sites in Urban Riverfront Public Spaces: A Case Study in Changsha, China

by Yuanyuan Huang and Bohong Zheng

Land 2024, 13(7), 930; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070930 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

With the increasing online exposure of urban public spaces, the new concept of “internet-famous sites” has emerged in China. Social media users are the main contributors to this new phenomenon. To fully understand social media users’ preferences in such kinds of public spaces, [...] Read more.

With the increasing online exposure of urban public spaces, the new concept of “internet-famous sites” has emerged in China. Social media users are the main contributors to this new phenomenon. To fully understand social media users’ preferences in such kinds of public spaces, this article took 27 typical riverfront internet-famous sites (RIFSs) in Changsha City (China) as an example. Through social media platform selection, keyword research, text and image data extraction, visual and emotional symbol coding, and manual calculations of coding frequency, this study investigated social media users’ perception of RIFSs, especially on visual and emotional preferences. The online images and review comments were extracted from the popular Chinese social media platform “Xiaohongshu”. We found that (1) the popularity of each RIFS had a significant head effect and there were far more positive emotions than neutral and negative emotions in review comments. (2) RIFSs in Changsha were divided into five categories: commercial RIFSs, art exhibition RIFSs, historical and cultural RIFSs, ecological recreational RIFSs, and uncultivated RIFSs. Social media users had different visual focuses on each kind of RIFS. (3) Social media users provided specific reasons for their emotional preferences towards different types of RIFSs. This study can provide a new perspective on improving waterfront vitality and offer a targeted and attractive method for waterfront regeneration that is different from traditional methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Landscape Governance in the Age of Social Media (Second Edition))

18 pages, 4584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composite Fingerprint Analysis of Sediment Sources in a Watershed Disturbed by Road Construction in Southeastern Tibet

by Xin Li, Baicheng Zhu, Longxi Cao, Rui Li, Chunlian Bai and Xinjun Wang

Land 2024, 13(7), 929; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070929 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Construction activities such as road projects modify original land uses and intensify soil erosion. Understanding the sediment contributed by these projects and its spatial variation throughout a watershed is critical in terms of guiding conservation. Based on field sampling in a road construction-disturbed [...] Read more.

Construction activities such as road projects modify original land uses and intensify soil erosion. Understanding the sediment contributed by these projects and its spatial variation throughout a watershed is critical in terms of guiding conservation. Based on field sampling in a road construction-disturbed watershed in southeastern Tibet, a composite fingerprint analysis was conducted to explore the contributions of different sources to the deposited sediment. The results showed that 10 factors, including Al₂O₃, TFe₂O₃, Sn, total phosphorous (TP), Cr, Na₂O, Mn, W, SiO₂, and Sr, formed an optimum composite fingerprint combination. The multivariate mixed model revealed that the average contribution percentage rates of sediment deposited along the main channel were as follows: bank material (52.52%) > roads (33.02%) > forest and grassland (14.46%). The contribution percentage of road-related sediment fluctuated from the beginning point along the channel and was significantly correlated with factors such as the flow length to the channel (R = −0.6), road segment slope (R = 0.66), and ratio of the road length to the channel length (R = 0.65). The flow length to the channel was the most important factor affecting the road sediment contribution and a decreasing logarithmic function was established to describe the effect. These results have clarified how road construction spatially affects sediment at the watershed scale. They can therefore offer guidance for evaluating the environmental impact of human activities and supporting efforts in watershed soil and water conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Soil-Sediment-Water Systems)

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24 pages, 15876 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Landslide Detection Using the Unsupervised Domain-Adaptive Image Segmentation Method

by Weisong Chen, Zhuo Chen, Danqing Song, Hongjin He, Hao Li and Yuxian Zhu

Land 2024, 13(7), 928; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070928 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

After a landslide, swift and precise identification of the affected area is paramount for facilitating urgent rescue operations and damage assessments. This is particularly vital for land use planners and policymakers, enabling them to efficiently address hazard mitigation, the resettlement of those affected [...] Read more.

After a landslide, swift and precise identification of the affected area is paramount for facilitating urgent rescue operations and damage assessments. This is particularly vital for land use planners and policymakers, enabling them to efficiently address hazard mitigation, the resettlement of those affected by the hazards, and to strategize land planning in the impacted regions. Despite the importance, conventional methods of monitoring landslides often fall short due to their restricted scope and the challenges associated with data acquisition. This study proposes a landslide detection method based on unsupervised multisource and target domain adaptive image segmentation (LUDAS) that is capable of achieving robust and generalized landslide mapping across multiple sources and target domains. Specifically, LUDAS consists of two phases. In the first phase, we introduce an unsupervised interdomain translation network to align the styles of multiple source domains to multiple target domains, generating pseudotarget domain data. Our interdomain translation network is capable of style transfer between any two domains. Through careful design of the network structure and loss functions, we ensure effective style transfer while preserving the content structure of the source domain images. In the second phase, the landslide segmentation model is trained in a supervised manner using annotated data from multiple source domains and multiple pseudotarget domains, resulting in a model with strong generalization capabilities that can adapt to multiple source and target domains. Finally, through extensive qualitative and quantitative analysis experiments, our study confirms that the proposed domain-adaptive segmentation model not only achieves exceptional landslide segmentation performance across multiple target domains but also, due to its good generalizability and transferability, has great potential for application in the emergency response to landslide. This capability can provide strong support for post-disaster emergency rescue, disaster assessment, and land planning in areas with scarce data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Innovations – Data and Machine Learning)

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20 pages, 1892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feature-Differencing-Based Self-Supervised Pre-Training for Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Detection in High-Resolution Remote Sensing Images

by Wenqing Feng, Fangli Guan, Chenhao Sun and Wei Xu

Land 2024, 13(7), 927; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070927 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Land-use and land-cover (LULC) change detection (CD) is a pivotal research area in remote sensing applications, posing a significant challenge due to variations in illumination, radiation, and image noise between bi-temporal images. Currently, deep learning solutions, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), represent the [...] Read more.

Land-use and land-cover (LULC) change detection (CD) is a pivotal research area in remote sensing applications, posing a significant challenge due to variations in illumination, radiation, and image noise between bi-temporal images. Currently, deep learning solutions, particularly convolutional neural networks (CNNs), represent the state of the art (SOTA) for CD. However, CNN-based models require substantial amounts of annotated data, which can be both expensive and time-consuming. Conversely, acquiring a large volume of unannotated images is relatively easy. Recently, self-supervised contrastive learning has emerged as a promising method for learning from unannotated images, thereby reducing the need for annotation. However, most existing methods employ random values or ImageNet pre-trained models to initialize their encoders and lack prior knowledge tailored to the demands of CD tasks, thus constraining the performance of CD models. To address these challenges, we introduce a novel feature-differencing-based framework called Barlow Twins for self-supervised pre-training and fine-tuning in CD (BTCD). The proposed approach employs absolute feature differences to directly learn unique representations associated with regions that have changed from unlabeled bi-temporal remote sensing images in a self-supervised manner. Moreover, we introduce invariant prediction loss and change consistency regularization loss to enhance image alignment between bi-temporal images in both the decision and feature space during network training, thereby mitigating the impact of variation in radiation conditions, noise, and imaging viewpoints. We select the improved UNet++ model for fine-tuning self-supervised pre-training models and conduct experiments using two publicly available LULC CD datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed approach outperforms existing SOTA methods in terms of competitive quantitative and qualitative performance metrics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applying Earth Observation Data for Urban Land-Use Change Mapping)

22 pages, 14203 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Implementation of Ecological Control Line Planning (ECLP): A Case Study of Wuhan Metropolitan Development Zone

by Chun Li, Huihui Yang, Zhiyong Wang and Shuiyu Yan

Land 2024, 13(7), 926; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070926 (registering DOI) - 26 Jun 2024

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Abstract

China’s unprecedented rapid urbanization has encroached upon ecologically sensitive areas. Since 2013, Wuhan, a central urban hub in China, has adopted Ecological Control Line Planning (ECLP) to regulate urban growth and preserve ecological integrity. This study evaluates how ECLP is implemented in the [...] Read more.

China’s unprecedented rapid urbanization has encroached upon ecologically sensitive areas. Since 2013, Wuhan, a central urban hub in China, has adopted Ecological Control Line Planning (ECLP) to regulate urban growth and preserve ecological integrity. This study evaluates how ECLP is implemented in the Wuhan Metropolitan Development Zone (WMDZ), a critical region for harmonizing urban expansion with ecological preservation. The assessment integrates two fundamental aspects—conformity and utilization—with evaluations across spatial and ecological dimensions. This methodology builds a technical framework for rapid identification and detailed analysis of planning effects through LULC statistics and landscape connectivity index monitoring. The findings reveal that the ECLP is spatially conformable and utilizable, successfully curbing urban expansion and channeling development towards the urban growth boundary (UGB) and ecological development area (EDA). However, ECLP has not significantly mitigated the decline in ecological connectivity. Details include the following: (1) The general spatial consistency of the ECLP was 88.53%, with the EDA and ecological baseline area (EBA) achieving 85.18% and 88.98%, respectively. (2) Most of the increase in impervious land within ecological lines originated from agricultural and water areas, with only 7.02 km² of land transitioning to non-agricultural and non-ecological uses. (3) The integral index of connectivity (IIC) exhibited a more rapid deterioration post-ECLP implementation, suggesting the disruption or degradation of critical connectivity pathways or patches within the ecological network. (4) Core ecological patches experienced significant losses inside and outside the UGB, with losses within the UGB being 2.51 times greater. The findings underscore the importance of ecological connectivity in implementing ecological space protection planning and the need for the flexible governance of areas where protection and development conflicts arise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Sustainable Development and Coordinated Governance of Urban and Rural Areas under the Guidance of Ecological Wisdom)

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21 pages, 2292 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Land Use on Water Resources in the Gulf Cooperation Council Region

by Basant Helal, Maram Ali, Tarig Ali, Idowu Peter Odeleye, Maruf Mortula and Rahul Gawai

Land 2024, 13(7), 925; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070925 (registering DOI) - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries experience a harsh environment with low precipitation and high evaporation rates. This presents a significant challenge of water scarcity and water quality degradation which is exacerbated by land use practices. Agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization are impacting the [...] Read more.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries experience a harsh environment with low precipitation and high evaporation rates. This presents a significant challenge of water scarcity and water quality degradation which is exacerbated by land use practices. Agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization are impacting the management of water resources. This paper examines the state of water resources in the GCC countries and presents the impact of land use practices. A detailed analysis of the relationship between land use and groundwater is conducted with a focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The results indicate a drop in agricultural activities, an increase in bare land and urban areas, depletion of groundwater, and water quality degradation. These changes were attributed to excessive agricultural and industrial uses, climate change, and rapid urbanization. The findings show the need for sustainable land use practices and water resources management. Further research addressing the impact of land use on water in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, and evaluating the effectiveness of policy, is essential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Water Resources and Land Use Planning II)

24 pages, 17475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Land-Use/Cover Change Dynamics Using Spatiotemporal Data Fusion Model and Google Earth Engine in Jilin Province, China

by Zhuxin Liu, Yang Han, Ruifei Zhu, Chunmei Qu, Peng Zhang, Yaping Xu, Jiani Zhang, Lijuan Zhuang, Feiyu Wang and Fang Huang

Land 2024, 13(7), 924; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070924 (registering DOI) - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Jilin Province is located in the northeast of China, and has fragile ecosystems, and a vulnerable environment. Large-scale, long time series, high-precision land-use/cover change (LU/CC) data are important for spatial planning and environmental protection in areas with high surface heterogeneity. In this paper, [...] Read more.

Jilin Province is located in the northeast of China, and has fragile ecosystems, and a vulnerable environment. Large-scale, long time series, high-precision land-use/cover change (LU/CC) data are important for spatial planning and environmental protection in areas with high surface heterogeneity. In this paper, based on the high temporal and spatial fusion data of Landsat and MODIS and the Google Earth Engine (GEE), long time series LU/CC mapping and spatio-temporal analysis for the period 2000–2023 were realized using the random forest remote sensing image classification method, which integrates remote sensing indices. The prediction results using the OL-STARFM method were very close to the real images and better contained the spatial image information, allowing its application to the subsequent classification. The average overall accuracy and kappa coefficient of the random forest classification products obtained using the fused remote sensing index were 95.11% and 0.9394, respectively. During the study period, the area of cultivated land and unused land decreased as a whole. The area of grassland, forest, and water fluctuated, while building land increased to 13,442.27 km² in 2023. In terms of land transfer, cultivated land was the most important source of transfers, and the total area share decreased from 42.98% to 38.39%. Cultivated land was mainly transferred to grassland, forest land, and building land, with transfer areas of 7682.48 km², 8374.11 km², and 7244.52 km², respectively. Grassland was the largest source of land transfer into cultivated land, and the land transfer among other feature types was relatively small, at less than 3300 km². This study provides data support for the scientific management of land resources in Jilin Province, and the resulting LU/CC dataset is of great significance for regional sustainable development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Multi-Scale Geographic Environmental Monitoring: Theory, Methodology and Applications)

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21 pages, 13551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Clarification of the Boundaries of Lands of Historical and Cultural Heritage and Determination of Their Protection Zones by Remote Sensing Methods

by Borys Chetverikov, Volodymyr Hlotov and Krzysztof Bakuła

Land 2024, 13(7), 923; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070923 (registering DOI) - 25 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Determining precise boundaries and protective zones for historical and cultural objects enables their effective preservation. This article presents the framework for establishing protective zones around historical and cultural heritage sites existing in Ukraine, using the example of the Citadel defensive complex located in [...] Read more.

Determining precise boundaries and protective zones for historical and cultural objects enables their effective preservation. This article presents the framework for establishing protective zones around historical and cultural heritage sites existing in Ukraine, using the example of the Citadel defensive complex located in Lviv (Ukraine). It proposes general and detailed conceptual models for the combined application of remote and non-invasive methods for investigating historical and cultural heritage sites. It introduces the theory of integrating radar satellite imaging with ground-based georadar imaging. Additionally, it presents a software module that has been developed to analyze collected data on two-dimensional historical and cultural heritage objects, refine their boundaries, and establish protective zones around them. The result of the work is the determination of extremum points of vertical displacement on the territory of the historical and cultural heritage site “Lviv Citadel” in Ukraine using SAR, and the construction of a map of vertical displacements. A classification of these points was carried out, after which two of them were investigated using GPR for anomalies. Artifacts from World War II were discovered at each of these points. Using the developed software module, updated boundaries of the site were constructed, taking into account the underground artifacts and protective zones. Full article

32 pages, 3387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage Evaluation of the Carob Tree MTAS in the Territory of Valencia: Analysis and Social Perception of the Ecosystem Services and Values from Cultivating It

by Sandra Mayordomo-Maya and Jorge Hermosilla-Pla

Land 2024, 13(7), 922; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070922 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 256

Abstract

The concept of Multifunctional Territorialized Agrifood Systems (MTASs) arose as an alternative to global hegemonic models in the 21st century. This study intends to identify the main ecosystem values and services generated by the MTAS of the carob tree in the territory of [...] Read more.

The concept of Multifunctional Territorialized Agrifood Systems (MTASs) arose as an alternative to global hegemonic models in the 21st century. This study intends to identify the main ecosystem values and services generated by the MTAS of the carob tree in the territory of Valencia, which is one of the most characteristic dryland fruit tree species farmed in the Mediterranean. To do so, a multi-criteria quantitative evaluation system has been used that enables values to be assigned to the kinds of significance placed on MTASs. For this purpose, a questionnaire was carried out with 268 local inhabitants. The global score obtained is 7.6 points, indicating a high heritage value. Some of the criteria with the best scores are related to the authenticity of the carob tree and its social and historical values since this crop is a testament to ancestral techniques and traditions. Furthermore, this Mediterranean crop provides numerous ecosystem services and has multiple properties and applications, mainly in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The local population has scored the vulnerability value with only 4.1 points as a consequence of the progressive abandonment of the cultivated area in recent decades. Therefore, greater involvement from social stakeholders is essential in order to preserve this crop. Full article

8 pages, 1415 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Sustainable Development and Transformative Change in Tibet, China, from 1951 to 2021

by Ruoxin Yan and Ruishan Chen

Land 2024, 13(7), 921; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070921 - 24 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet) has undergone significant economic development, poverty alleviation, and improvements in social indicators like life expectancy and healthcare over the past seventy years since its establishment within the People’s Republic of China in 1951, particularly since the 1980s. This [...] Read more.

The Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet) has undergone significant economic development, poverty alleviation, and improvements in social indicators like life expectancy and healthcare over the past seventy years since its establishment within the People’s Republic of China in 1951, particularly since the 1980s. This article tracks 16 social, economic, and ecological indicators for the past several decades, as well as levels of economic assistance provided to Tibet by other Chinese provinces and the Chinese central government. The results show that since 1951, Tibet has developed rapidly, with nearly all the socioeconomic indicators improved, and the speed of change has been much faster than other provinces in China. Environmental indicators also show a significant improvement regarding biodiversity conservation and tree coverage. However, despite progress in many aspects within Tibet, indicators such as the illiteracy rate and uneven development between urban and rural areas still lag significantly behind the national average. This report provides crucial insights into Tibet’s rapid development and existing disparities, aiming to guide targeted governmental interventions for reducing inequality and driving transformative change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interrelations in Urban–Rural Transects: Planning Sustainable Transformations for Human Wellbeing)

26 pages, 3260 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Radiometric and Categorical Change to Create High-Accuracy Maps of Historical Land Cover Change in Watersheds of the Great Lakes Basin

by Andrew F. Poley, Laura L. Bourgeau-Chavez, Jeremy A. Graham, Dorthea J. L. Vander Bilt, Dana Redhuis, Michael J. Battaglia, Robert E. Kennedy and Nancy H. F. French

Land 2024, 13(7), 920; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070920 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 215

Abstract

Great Lakes Basin landscapes are undergoing rapid land cover and land use (LCLU) change. The goal for this study was to identify changes in land cover occurring in the Great Lakes Basin over three time periods to provide insights into historical land cover [...] Read more.

Great Lakes Basin landscapes are undergoing rapid land cover and land use (LCLU) change. The goal for this study was to identify changes in land cover occurring in the Great Lakes Basin over three time periods to provide insights into historical land cover changes occurring on a bi-national watershed scale. To quantify potential impacts of anthropogenic changes on important yet vulnerable Great Lakes Wetland ecosystems, the historical changes in land cover over time are assessed via remote sensing. The goal is to better understand legacy effects on current conditions, including wetland gain and loss and the impacts of upland ecosystems on wetland health and water quality. Three key time periods with respect to Great Lakes water level changes and coastal wetland plant invasions were mapped using Landsat-derived land cover maps: 1985, 1995, and 2010. To address change between the three time periods of interest, we incorporate both radiometric and categorical change analysis and open-source tools available for assessing time series data including LandTrendr and TimeSync. Results include maps of annual land cover transition from 1985 to 1995 and 1995 to 2010 basin-wide and by ecoregion and an assessment of the magnitude and direction of change by land cover type. Basin-wide validated change results show approximately 776,854 ha of land changed from c.1980–1995 and approximately 998,400 ha of land changed from c.1995–2010. Both time periods displayed large net decreases in both deciduous forest and agricultural land and net increases in suburban cover. Change by ecoregion is reviewed in this study with many of the change types in central plains showing change in and out of agriculture and suburban land covers, the mixed wood plain ecoregion consisted of a mixture of agricultural, suburban, and forestry changes, and all top five change types in the mixed wood shield consisted of various stages of the forestry cycle for both time periods. In comparison with previous LCLU change studies, overall change products showed similar trends. The discussion reviews why, while most changes had accuracies better than 84%, accuracies found for change from urban to other classes and from other classes to agriculture were lower due to unique aspects of change in these classes which are not relevant for most change analyses applications. The study found a consistent loss in the deciduous forest area for much of the time studied, which is shown to influence the aquatic nitrogen implicated in the expansion of the invasive plant Phragmites australis in the Great Lakes Basin. This underscores the importance of LCLU maps, which allow for the quantification of historical land change in the watersheds of the Great Lakes where invasive species are expanding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digital Mapping for Ecological Land)

20 pages, 2730 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Localized Sustainable Development Goals Changes and Their Response to Ecosystem Services—A Case of Typical Southern Hilly Regions in China

by Chang You, Shidong Zhang, Wenshu Liu and Luo Guo

Land 2024, 13(7), 919; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070919 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 219

Abstract

Sustainability has become an indispensable core consideration when nations formulate their development policies. This study delves into the dynamic correlations between ecosystem services (ESs) and localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a typical hilly region in southern China. Various ESs were computed using [...] Read more.

Sustainability has become an indispensable core consideration when nations formulate their development policies. This study delves into the dynamic correlations between ecosystem services (ESs) and localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a typical hilly region in southern China. Various ESs were computed using the InVEST model, while spatial econometric models were employed to assess ES responses to SDG targets at the county, sectoral, and overall spatial levels. The findings revealed the following. (1) From 2005 to 2020, there were differences in the development rates of various SDG targets in Ganzhou. Except for SDG 15, which declined, the development of the other targets showed an overall increasing trend. The development of the various SDG targets was relatively balanced, but SDG 9 and SDG 7 had the highest growth rates, ranging from 9.4% to 10.7% and 9.4% to 10.3%, respectively. The comprehensive SDG assessment index exhibited significant spatiotemporal variation, with a general trend of higher values in the north and lower values in the south. (2) The local ES showed a delayed response to SDG 1 and SDG 2, but there was a significant positive response to SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 6, SDG 8, and SDG 9. However, responses to SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15 showed regional differences. This study not only provides valuable insights for sustainable development in Ganzhou and other regions of China but also offers Chinese perspectives and experiences that may inform global efforts towards SDG implementation. This study fills the gap in existing research by constructing a localized SDG indicator system and quantifying each SDG indicator, further exploring the response of the ES to each SDG in the region. Looking ahead, we anticipate further research to deepen the understanding of the relationship between ESs and SDG targets on a broader geographical scale and over longer timeframes, aiming to provide a more robust scientific foundation for building a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Land-Space Ecological Restoration (LSER) Policy for Sustainable Development Goals)

17 pages, 1147 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Integrated Watershed Management Interventions on Land Use/Land Cover of Yesir Watershed in Northwestern Ethiopia

by Abebaw Andarge Gedefaw, Mulutesfa Alemu Desta and Reinfried Mansberger

Land 2024, 13(7), 918; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070918 - 24 Jun 2024

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Abstract

Since 2002, numerous sustainable land management (SLM) interventions have been implemented in Ethiopia, such as agroforestry, area closure, forage development, gully rehabilitation, and conservation agriculture. In addition, watershed-based developments contributed comprehensively to a better use of existing natural resources. This study determined the [...] Read more.

Since 2002, numerous sustainable land management (SLM) interventions have been implemented in Ethiopia, such as agroforestry, area closure, forage development, gully rehabilitation, and conservation agriculture. In addition, watershed-based developments contributed comprehensively to a better use of existing natural resources. This study determined the impact of Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) on land use/land cover for the Yesir watershed in Northern Ethiopia. Supervised image classification algorithms were applied to a time series of Landsat 5 (2002) and Landsat 8 (2013 and 2022) images to produce land use/land cover maps. A Geographic Information System was applied to analyze and map changes in land use/land cover for settlements, agricultural land, grazing land, and land covered with other vegetation. In focus group discussions, the time series maps were analyzed and compared with the integrated watershed management practices to analyze their impacts. The results document that integrated watershed management practices have contributed to a significant change in land use/land cover in the study area over the past 20 years. The quantitative analysis of land use/land cover between the years 2002 and 2022 only revealed a downward trend in agricultural land. Considering the value of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as a biophysical feature for the increase of green mass, this indicator also documents an improvement in land use/land cover with regard to sustainable land management and consequently poverty alleviation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Land Use and Land Cover Mapping)

24 pages, 2539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction Land Transfer Scale and Carbon Emission Intensity: Empirical Evidence Based on County-Level Land Transactions in Jiangsu Province, China

by Wenying Li, Keqiang Wang, Hongmei Liu, Yixuan Zhang and Xiaodan Zhu

Land 2024, 13(7), 917; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070917 - 24 Jun 2024

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Abstract

The expansion of the construction land scale has been vital in supporting rapid economic development and meeting social needs. However, the spatial heterogeneity in the effect of construction land scale on carbon emission intensity at the county level remains underexplored. Therefore, comprehensively investigating [...] Read more.

The expansion of the construction land scale has been vital in supporting rapid economic development and meeting social needs. However, the spatial heterogeneity in the effect of construction land scale on carbon emission intensity at the county level remains underexplored. Therefore, comprehensively investigating the relation between the construction land transfer scale and carbon emission intensity holds substantial research value. Using panel data from 2007 to 2021, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of carbon emission intensity and the effect of construction land scale on carbon emission intensity at the county level in Jiangsu Province, China. The findings reveal that carbon emission intensity at the county level in Jiangsu Province generally exhibits a continuous downward trend over time and a spatial distribution characterized by a gradual decrease from the southern counties to the central and northern counties. Moreover, there is a significant positive relation between the construction land transfer scale and carbon emission intensity, a conclusion supported by robustness tests. Furthermore, mediating analysis indicates that reduction of the construction land transfer scale exhibits a significant promoting effect on green technology innovation and industrial structure upgrading, which, in turn, has a significant inhibitory effect on carbon emission intensity. The impact of the construction land transfer scale from different sources, supply methods, types, and of county economic strength on carbon emission intensity has significant heterogeneity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Land Use under the Target of Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutralization)

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26 pages, 26578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Towards Just and Integrated Energy Transition in Taiwan: A Socio-Spatial Perspective

by Kuan-Ting Liu and Marcin Dąbrowski

Land 2024, 13(7), 916; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070916 - 24 Jun 2024

Viewed by 248

Abstract

Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing [...] Read more.

Energy justice remains relatively under-researched outside of the Western context, especially in Asia. This paper addresses that gap by investigating the process of energy transition in Taiwan through the socio-spatial lens and institutional points of view. The paper underscores the urgency of recognizing and addressing the overlooked social injustices across different territories, advocating an integrated planning approach that incorporates a just energy transition perspective to reduce the uneven negative impacts of deploying renewable energies across communities and regional territories. Drawing on a case study of the Changhua region, the paper identifies conflicts arising from the rapid deployment of renewable energy, such as land use changes that displace farming activities and negatively affect rural stakeholders. The findings suggest the need to urgently address the gap between top–down goals in energy transition and bottom–up considerations to raise awareness and prevent injustices that risk deepening the existing socio-economic inequities. This paper also proposes a new framework for both new research and policy for (just) energy transition, incorporating distributional, procedural, and recognitional concerns together with a critical view on the cross-scale and cross-sectoral integration as part of the spatial planning process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Strategic Spatial Planning in Urban and Regional Sustainability Transitions)

19 pages, 6146 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Soil Organic Carbon Content in Complex Vegetation Areas Based on CNN-LSTM Model

by Zhaowei Dong, Liping Yao, Yilin Bao, Jiahua Zhang, Fengmei Yao, Linyan Bai and Peixin Zheng

Land 2024, 13(7), 915; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070915 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 423

Abstract

Synthesizing bare soil pictures in regions with complex vegetation is challenging, which hinders the accuracy of predicting soil organic carbon (SOC) in specific areas. An SOC prediction model was developed in this study by integrating the convolutional neural network and long and short-term [...] Read more.

Synthesizing bare soil pictures in regions with complex vegetation is challenging, which hinders the accuracy of predicting soil organic carbon (SOC) in specific areas. An SOC prediction model was developed in this study by integrating the convolutional neural network and long and short-term memory network (CNN-LSTM) algorithms, taking into consideration soil-forming factors such as climate, vegetation, and topography in Hainan. Compared with common algorithmic models (random forest, CNN, LSTM), the SOC prediction model based on the CNN-LSTM algorithm achieved high accuracy (R² = 0.69, RMSE = 6.06 g kg⁻¹, RPIQ = 1.96). The model predicted that the SOC content ranged from 5.49 to 36.68 g kg⁻¹, with Hainan in the central and southern parts of the region with high SOC values and the surrounding areas with low SOC values, and that the SOC was roughly distributed as follows: high in the mountainous areas and low in the flat areas. Among the four models, CNN-LSTM outperformed LSTM, CNN, and random forest models in terms of R² accuracy by 11.3%, 23.2%, and 53.3%, respectively. The CNN-LSTM model demonstrates its applicability in predicting SOC content and shows great potential in complex areas where obtaining sample data is challenging and where SOC is influenced by multiple interacting factors. Furthermore, it shows significant potential for advancing the broader field of digital soil mapping. Full article

28 pages, 842 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contractual Mechanisms in National Park Management: A Multi-Task Principal–Agent Model

by Mingxin Lin and Zuomin Wen

Land 2024, 13(7), 914; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070914 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 366

Abstract

In the management of national parks, the principal–agent relationship is key to efficient and effective management. Based on multi-task principal–agent theory, this study examines the dual functions of central government incentives and guidance and the objectives of local National Park Administration offices in [...] Read more.

In the management of national parks, the principal–agent relationship is key to efficient and effective management. Based on multi-task principal–agent theory, this study examines the dual functions of central government incentives and guidance and the objectives of local National Park Administration offices in environmental conservation and reasonable resource utilization. First, this study constructs a multi-task principal–agent model for central and local governments within the national park management system and identifies effective contractual mechanisms. Second, this study examines the relationship between the intensity of central government incentives and the ecological conservation atmosphere coefficient. Third, by integrating the three stages of national park management system advancement, this study explores the central government’s incentive strategies at different stages. The findings indicate that local governments receive limited ecological conservation support, underscoring the need for long-term central government incentives. The findings also confirm that the effective management of national parks by local governments can only be achieved by eliminating external uncertainties, reducing the variable costs of innovative advancements, and controlling risk aversion in local National Park Administration processes. In addition, this study includes empirical data for sensitivity analyses to understand the robustness of the model under different scenarios. This study offers valuable insights and practical suggestions for enhancing national park management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Navigating the Balance: The Role of National Parks in Ecological Conservation and Socioeconomic Development)

29 pages, 24895 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“It Will Be a Desert”: Extreme Weather and the Effects of Climate Catastrophe on Vulnerable Riparian Spaces in Nairobi, Kenya

by Olivia Howland

Land 2024, 13(7), 913; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070913 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 357

Abstract

Urban riparian spaces are notoriously vulnerable, and pressure on water resources is growing. In the context of a fast-growing urban population and a lack of state-level structures and services to deal with water and sanitation, these spaces—including both land and water—are rapidly being [...] Read more.

Urban riparian spaces are notoriously vulnerable, and pressure on water resources is growing. In the context of a fast-growing urban population and a lack of state-level structures and services to deal with water and sanitation, these spaces—including both land and water—are rapidly being degraded. Ongata Rongai, a satellite town in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area, is one of these spaces. Traditional livelihoods exist cheek-by-jowl with modern life; livestock are watered at the rivers, lions frequent the riverbanks, large commercial farms extract water for crops, industrial factories release heavy metal contaminants into the rivers, and rapidly constructed poor-quality apartment blocks with no provision for human waste release untreated sewage and dump trash into the rivers. Compounding these anthropogenic impacts is that of climate change. Riparian spaces have become sites where humans and animals fight for access to water and riparian space, and rain becomes less reliable or frequent, yet at other times, these spaces experience flash flooding and catastrophic water levels leading to the destruction of land. This study explores the dynamics of a rapidly changing riparian environment which finds itself dominated by urbanity, under the increasing pressure of anthropogenic climate change using a One Health perspective. This study contributes much needed human voices to a growing body of literature led by indigenous Kenyan scholars, calling for urgent structural level action to conserve urban riparian zones for the benefit of human and non-human actors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Land and Water Systems)

21 pages, 14335 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Cultural Landscape in Shaping the Urban Spatial Context of Changzhou (1843–2021) from a Spatial Syntax Perspective

by Jie Bai, Wenzheng Zhang, Roland Chih-Hung Lin, Chunyan Zhang, Tao Xu and Padma Sundar Maharjan

Land 2024, 13(7), 912; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070912 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 232

Abstract

Changzhou is a city situated in the eastern region of China and serves as a pivotal juncture of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, the Grand Canal of China. The study employed spatial syntax foreground and background network analysis to examine the cultural [...] Read more.

Changzhou is a city situated in the eastern region of China and serves as a pivotal juncture of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, the Grand Canal of China. The study employed spatial syntax foreground and background network analysis to examine the cultural landscape characteristics and determinants of the urban spatial context in Changzhou, influenced by the Grand Canal, with a focus on rivers, streets, and social networks. The findings revealed that: (1) Foreground network construction: serving as the fundamental framework of urban space, street and river networks exhibited distinct functionalities in terms of structural configuration, functional organization, and potential impact. (2) Background network construction: social networks identified through spatial structure recognition demonstrated sustainable characteristics, as their layout was not directly correlated to the foreground network but contributed to the identification of the identity and the traits of social networks. (3) Dual network adaptability to contemporary urban space: it was imperative to redefine the role of river networks to augment their potential impact in shaping scenic leisure systems. This study provides novel insights into preserving and acknowledging the urban spatial context while offering valuable references for safeguarding regional cultural landscapes. Full article

22 pages, 657 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Urban Construction Land Expansion on Carbon Emissions from the Perspective of the Yangtze River Delta Integration, China

by Xing Niu, Fenghua Liao, Zixuan Mi and Guancen Wu

Land 2024, 13(7), 911; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070911 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 229

Abstract

Regional integration plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic advancement of various global regions and is closely linked with the expansion of construction land. This expansion is a major contributor to urban carbon emissions. Utilizing a geographical regression discontinuity design (GRDD), this paper [...] Read more.

Regional integration plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic advancement of various global regions and is closely linked with the expansion of construction land. This expansion is a major contributor to urban carbon emissions. Utilizing a geographical regression discontinuity design (GRDD), this paper estimates the impact of urban construction land expansion on carbon emissions and explores the underlying mechanisms within the regional integration process of the Yangtze River Delta (YRD), China. The findings reveal that urban construction land expansion significantly influences carbon emissions, displaying an inverted “U”-shaped pattern. Furthermore, this expansion affects carbon emissions through the transformation of industrial structures, shifts in consumption patterns, and enhancements in scientific and technological investments. Our findings span the performance of the Yangtze River Delta from its early development stages to a relatively mature phase. This paper also partially reveals how the Yangtze River Delta, with both megacities and large- to medium-sized cities, manages urban construction land expansion during the integration process and strives for low-carbon emissions reduction. These results can provide green growth recommendations that balance socio-economic development, low-carbon emissions, and social equity not only for other urban agglomerations in China but also for similar regions in other developing countries by altering construction land utilization patterns. Full article

30 pages, 9516 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Back to the Village: Assessing the Effects of Naturalness, Landscape Types, and Landscape Elements on the Restorative Potential of Rural Landscapes

by Hanbin Shen, Xuecong He, Jing He, Danming Li, Mingjie Liang and Xubin Xie

Land 2024, 13(7), 910; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070910 - 23 Jun 2024

Viewed by 243

Abstract

Abstract: Rural landscapes are acknowledged for their potential to restore human health due to natural characteristics. However, modern rural development has degraded these environments, thereby diminishing the restorative potential of rural landscapes. Few studies have systematically analyzed the impact of naturalness, landscape types, [...] Read more.

Abstract: Rural landscapes are acknowledged for their potential to restore human health due to natural characteristics. However, modern rural development has degraded these environments, thereby diminishing the restorative potential of rural landscapes. Few studies have systematically analyzed the impact of naturalness, landscape types, and landscape elements on restorativeness using both subjective and objective measurements. This study investigated the restorative effects of various rural landscapes in Guangzhou, employing electroencephalography and eye-tracking technologies to record physiological responses and using the Restorative Components Scale and the Perceived Restorativeness and Naturalness Scale to evaluate psychological responses. The results indicated the following: (1) There was a significant positive correlation between perceived naturalness and restorativeness, surpassing the impact of actual naturalness. (2) Different landscape types had varying impacts on restorativeness at the same level of perceived naturalness. Natural forest landscapes, artificial forest landscapes, and settlement landscapes exhibited the most substantial restorative effects among the natural, semi-natural, and artificial landscapes examined, respectively. (3) Restorative properties varied across landscape elements: trees and water significantly enhanced restorativeness, whereas constructed elements reduced it. Findings from this study can provide support for policymakers to make informed decisions regarding the selection and arrangement of rural landscape types and elements to enhance mental health and well-being. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Multisensory Landscapes: 2023 Visual Resource Stewardship Conference)

23 pages, 5034 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Revealing Topsoil Behavior to Compaction from Mining Field Observations

by Anne C. Richer-de-Forges, Dominique Arrouays, Zamir Libohova, Songchao Chen, Dylan E. Beaudette and Hocine Bourennane

Land 2024, 13(7), 909; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070909 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 375

Abstract

Soils are a finite resource that is under threat, mainly due to human pressure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to produce maps of soil properties, functions and behaviors that can support land management and various stakeholders’ decisions. Compaction is a major threat [...] Read more.

Soils are a finite resource that is under threat, mainly due to human pressure. Therefore, there is an urgent need to produce maps of soil properties, functions and behaviors that can support land management and various stakeholders’ decisions. Compaction is a major threat to soil functions, such as water infiltration and storage, and crops’ root growth. However, there is no general agreement on a universal and easy-to-implement indicator of soil susceptibility to compaction. The proposed indicators of soil compaction require numerous analytical determinations (mainly bulk density measurements) that are cost prohibitive to implement. In this study, we used data collected in numerous in situ topsoil observations during conventional soil survey and compared field observations to usual indicators of soil compactness. We unraveled the relationships between field estimates of soil compactness and measured soil properties. Most of the quantitative indicators proposed by the literature were rather consistent with the ordering of soil compactness classes observed in the field. The best relationship was obtained with an indicator using bulk density and clay (BDr₂) to define three classes of rooting limitation. We distinguished six clusters of topsoil behaviors using hierarchical clustering. These clusters exhibited different soil behaviors to compaction that were related to soil properties, such as particle-size fractions, pH, CaCO₃ and organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity, and some BDr₂ threshold values. We demonstrate and discuss the usefulness of field observations to assess topsoil behavior to compaction. The main novelty of this study is the use of large numbers of qualitative field observations of soil profiles and clustering to identify contrasting behavior. To our knowledge, this approach has almost never been implemented. Overall, analysis of qualitative and quantitative information collected in numerous profiles offers a new way to discriminate some broad categories of soil behavior that could be used to support land management and stakeholders’ decisions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land – Observation and Monitoring)

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22 pages, 6887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Human Activity Expansion on Habitat Quality in the Yangtze River Basin

by Chenchen Bian, Liyan Yang, Xiaozhen Zhao, Xiaowei Yao and Lang Xiao

Land 2024, 13(7), 908; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070908 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 366

Abstract

Globally, natural habitats have suffered tremendous damage from human activities, a phenomenon that is increasingly evident in basin regions. The management of natural habitats in basin regions is dependent on understanding of the various impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. Despite the [...] Read more.

Globally, natural habitats have suffered tremendous damage from human activities, a phenomenon that is increasingly evident in basin regions. The management of natural habitats in basin regions is dependent on understanding of the various impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. Despite the various studies that have been conducted on the effects of human activities on habitats in basin regions, there is still a lot of doubt regarding the impact of these activities on the quality of basin ecosystems. To fill this gap, this study employs a series of spatial analysis methods and logistic regression modeling to delve into the spatial and temporal patterns of human activities and habitat quality in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) as well as the differences in the impacts of human activities on habitat quality in the sub-basins of the YRB. The findings indicate a 0.408% decline in the overall environmental quality of the YRB area from 2000 to 2020, accompanied by a 15.396% surge in human activities. Notably, the southeastern Qilian Mountains and the mountainous regions in the northwestern sector of the Sichuan Basin emerge as pivotal areas for habitat quality restoration. Conversely, the southwestern Qilian Mountains and the urban clusters in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) face significant habitat quality deterioration. Spatial regression analyses reveal a noteworthy trend: the burgeoning human activities in the Yangtze River region pose a substantial threat to habitat recovery efforts. Further differential analyses focusing on the upper, middle, and lower basin segments underscore that human activities exert the most pronounced impact on habitat quality within the lower basin region, while the upper basin experiences the least influence. The implications of this study are manifold. It furnishes valuable policy insights for the comprehensive management and targeted preservation of habitats across the YRB. By delineating areas of habitat restoration and degradation and highlighting the differential impacts of human activities across basin segments, this research lays a solid foundation for informed decision making in habitat conservation and ecosystem management within the YRB. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urbanization and Ecological Sustainability)

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28 pages, 2584 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urban Geomorphology Methods and Applications as a Guideline for Understanding the City Environment

by Alessia Pica, Luca Lämmle, Martina Burnelli, Maurizio Del Monte, Carlo Donadio, Francesco Faccini, Maurizio Lazzari, Andrea Mandarino, Laura Melelli, Archimedes Perez Filho, Filippo Russo, Leonidas Stamatopoulos, Corrado Stanislao and Pierluigi Brandolini

Land 2024, 13(7), 907; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070907 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 266

Abstract

Cities all over the world have developed on different geological-geomorphological substrates. Different kinds of human activities have operated for millennia as geomorphic agents, generating numerous and various erosion landforms and huge anthropogenic deposits. Considering the increasing demand for land and the expansion of [...] Read more.

Cities all over the world have developed on different geological-geomorphological substrates. Different kinds of human activities have operated for millennia as geomorphic agents, generating numerous and various erosion landforms and huge anthropogenic deposits. Considering the increasing demand for land and the expansion of the built-up areas involving and disturbing any kind of natural system inside and surrounding the actual urban areas, it is not negligible how important the dynamics of the urban environment and its physical evolution are. In this context, this manuscript addresses insights into eight case studies of urban geomorphological analyses of cities in Italy, Greece, and Brazil. The studies are based on surveying and mapping geomorphological processes and landforms in urban areas, supporting both geo-hazard assessment, historical evolution, and paleomorphologies, as well as disseminating knowledge of urban geoheritage and educating about the anthropogenic impact on urban sustainability. We hypothesize that urban geomorphological analysis of several case studies addresses the physical environment of modern cities in a multi-temporal, multidisciplinary, and critical way concerning global changes. Thus, this study aims to illustrate and propose a novel approach to urban geomorphological investigation as a model for the understanding and planning of the physical urban environment on a European and global scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)

30 pages, 8136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating Spatial Criteria for the Urban Landscape Assessment of Mass Housing Heritage: The Case of the Central Zone of New Belgrade

by Dragana Ćorović, Marija Milinković, Nevena Vasiljević, Dezire Tilinger, Sandra Mitrović and Zlata Vuksanović-Macura

Land 2024, 13(7), 906; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070906 - 22 Jun 2024

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Abstract

This study addressed problems related to the protection, reconstruction, and revitalisation of modern heritage, particularly the regeneration of mass housing estates built after WWII and facing the contemporary perils of urban decay and deterioration. It presented interdisciplinary research investigating the possibility of extending [...] Read more.

This study addressed problems related to the protection, reconstruction, and revitalisation of modern heritage, particularly the regeneration of mass housing estates built after WWII and facing the contemporary perils of urban decay and deterioration. It presented interdisciplinary research investigating the possibility of extending and complementing the heritage assessment methodology and broadening the scope of the criteria by including mass housing landscape values. Starting with a close reading of the key theoretical positions embedded in the conceptualisation and construction of New Belgrade, we investigated a set of holistic and time-based criteria, followed by contemporary methodologies for landscape quality assessment. The investigation was based on an urban landscape approach to heritage assessment and focuses on the Central Zone of New Belgrade, declared a heritage site in 2021. The interaction of the theoretical underpinnings of modern architecture and urban planning with urban landscape discourse, coupled with historically and theoretically relevant knowledge and data, resulted in an investigation of landscape-based criteria for further mass housing assessment. Finally, we presented the findings of the landscape quality assessment of the transformations of the Central Zone. This perspective could be used to extend the possibilities of this approach in order to 1) tackle the “thickness” of temporality related to (urban) landscapes; 2) rethink and redefine the applied heritage assessment approach; 3) open the assessment procedure to a wider range of stakeholders, particularly nonexperts and the local community; and 4) re-actualise the position and role of experts in the sense of communicating knowledge in a completely new context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Landscape Transformation vs. Heritage)

16 pages, 1252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Land Transfer Contract and Farmers’ Straw-Returning Behavior: Evidence from Rural China

by Ruisheng Li, Bin Huang, Shaoquan Liu and Dingde Xu

Land 2024, 13(7), 905; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070905 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 316

Abstract

Straw return is a crucial method for utilizing agricultural waste as a resource. Against the backdrop of increasing straw production in China, most scholars focus only on the behavioral decision of whether farmers choose to transfer land. However, few studies have touched on [...] Read more.

Straw return is a crucial method for utilizing agricultural waste as a resource. Against the backdrop of increasing straw production in China, most scholars focus only on the behavioral decision of whether farmers choose to transfer land. However, few studies have touched on the specific content of the land transfer contract and its impact on farmers’ behavior. This paper innovatively starts from the perspective of land transfer contracts to explore the impact of land transfer contracts on straw return in terms of standardization, stability, and profitability and to make theoretical contributions to the rational use of straw and the protection of arable land resources. Using data from the 2020 China Rural Revitalization Survey (CRRS) database, this study empirically analyzed the effects of different elements of land transfer contracts on straw returns to the field. The results show that: (1) Written transfer contracts are more effective than verbal contracts in encouraging farmers to adopt the straw return behavior. (2) Fixed-term contracts are more stable and can effectively promote farmers' adoption of straw return technology. (3) The remunerative transfer method is more profitable and can effectively encourage farmers to adopt straw return technology compared to the non-remunerative transfer method. (4) Farmers in mountainous areas or with smaller areas of farmland have a lower probability of adopting straw return technology. Therefore, the important role of remunerative, fixed-term, written land transfer contracts in the process of straw return should be emphasized, and the adoption rate of straw return should be increased through differentiated policy guidance and comprehensively promoting the sustainable development of agriculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Urban Contexts and Urban-Rural Interactions)

28 pages, 18338 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Geomorphic Change Detection of Landslides Using UAV Multi-Temporal Imagery in the Himalayas, Pakistan

by Naseem Ahmad, Muhammad Shafique, Mian Luqman Hussain, Fakhrul Islam, Aqil Tariq and Walid Soufan

Land 2024, 13(7), 904; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070904 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 232

Abstract

Multi-temporal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and topographic data were used to characterize and evaluate the geomorphic changes of two active landslides (Nara and Nokot) in Pakistan. Ortho-mosaic images and field-based investigations were utilized to assess the geomorphological changes, including the Topographic Wetness [...] Read more.

Multi-temporal unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and topographic data were used to characterize and evaluate the geomorphic changes of two active landslides (Nara and Nokot) in Pakistan. Ortho-mosaic images and field-based investigations were utilized to assess the geomorphological changes, including the Topographic Wetness Index, slope, and displacement. Volumetric changes in specific areas of the landslides were measured using the Geomorphic Change Detection (GCD) tool. The depletion zone of the Nara landslide was characterized by failures of the main scarps, resulting in landslides causing erosional displacements exceeding 201.6 m. In contrast, for the Nokot landslide, the erosional displacement ranged from −201.05 m to −64.98 m. The transition zone of the slide experienced many slow earth flows that re-mobilized displaced material from the middle portion of the landslide, ultimately reaching the accumulation zone. Volumetric analysis of the Nara landslide indicated overall erosion of landslide material with a volume of approximately 4,565,274.96 m³, while the accumulated and surface-raising material volume was approximately 185,544.53 m³. Similarly, for the Nokot landslide, the overall erosion of landslide material was estimated to be 6,486,121.30 m³, with an accumulated volume and surface-raising material of 117.98 m³. This study has demonstrated the efficacy of the GCD tool as a robust and repeatable method for mapping and monitoring landslide dynamics with UAVs over a relatively long time series. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing Application in Landslide Detection and Assessment)

19 pages, 1830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Empowering Rural Development: Evidence from China on the Impact of Digital Village Construction on Farmland Scale Operation

by Shaoyang Zhao, Mengxue Li and Xiang Cao

Land 2024, 13(7), 903; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/land13070903 - 21 Jun 2024

Viewed by 305

Abstract

In the global context of rural development in developing countries, the integration of digital technology into agriculture has emerged as a pivotal strategy for modernizing rural areas and boosting agricultural productivity. A focal point of policy initiatives, digital village construction aims to harness [...] Read more.

In the global context of rural development in developing countries, the integration of digital technology into agriculture has emerged as a pivotal strategy for modernizing rural areas and boosting agricultural productivity. A focal point of policy initiatives, digital village construction aims to harness digital technology to empower rural development. Despite widespread recognition of its potential benefits for agricultural development, empirical evidence on its specific impacts, particularly on farmland scale operation, remains scarce. This study investigates the relationship between digital village construction and farmland scale operation in China, leveraging data from Sichuan Province’s rural revitalization strategy and Peking University’s Digital Village Index. Our analysis reveals a significant enhancement in farmland scale operation, particularly in non-poverty and non-border villages, after addressing potential endogeneity in the estimation. Mechanism analysis demonstrates that digital village construction drives scaled operation and management through improved agricultural production efficiency, the establishment of agricultural industry systems, and the advancement of agricultural engineering projects. However, its impact varies across village types, underscoring potential disparities in rural development. These findings suggest that continued investment in digital village construction is essential to stimulate rural development, focusing on leveraging digital technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and providing targeted support for remote and underserved rural areas to bridge the digital gap and foster inclusive growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Land Socio-Economic and Political Issues)

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