1
|
Leban V, Zadnik Stirn L, Pezdevšek Malovrh Š. Investigating potential supply of ecosystem services in cultural landscapes through efficiency analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 74:161-179. [PMID: 38602520 PMCID: PMC11227448 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-01967-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
One of the paramount challenges in natural resource management revolves around the delicate equilibrium between the demand for and the supply of diverse Ecosystem Services (ESs) within a cultural landscape. Recognizing the centrality of cultural landscapes to human well-being, the sustainability of these landscapes hinges upon the health and stability of ecosystems that can effectively provide the required ESs. Over the long term, the sustainable supply of ESs is constrained by the potential supply of ESs. Understanding the potential supply of ESs is crucial for averting compromises to the ecosystems within a landscape. This article introduces a novel perspective on evaluating the ESs of a landscape by means of efficiency analysis. Instead of presenting the potential supply of ESs in absolute terms, we offer a comparative analysis of ESs' relative supply to associated management costs. In principle, the efficiency of Landscape Units (LUs) is defined as the ratio of the potential supply of multiple ESs to the costs associated with land use and land cover management. The resultant efficiency maps serve as hot and cold spot maps, revealing efficient ecosystem compositions that yield multiple ESs. This composition reflects management efforts, incorporating various management costs. Forests emerge as pivotal ecosystems in landscapes, delivering the most ESs at the lowest costs. These efficiency maps offer valuable insights for regional planners, enabling them to enhance the supply of ES in inefficient LUs by studying the ecosystem structure and associated costs of the most efficient LUs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasja Leban
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Večna pot 83, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Lidija Zadnik Stirn
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Večna pot 83, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Pezdevšek Malovrh
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Forestry and Renewable Forest Resources, Večna pot 83, SI-1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lasanta T, Cortijos-López M, Errea MP, Llena M, Sánchez-Navarrete P, Zabalza J, Nadal-Romero E. Shrub clearing and extensive livestock as a strategy for enhancing ecosystem services in degraded Mediterranean mid-mountain areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167668. [PMID: 37820804 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Land abandonment in the Mediterranean mountains since the 20th century has led to a reduction of ecosystem services, due to revegetation and homogenization of the landscape. To counteract these effects, the regional administration of La Rioja in Spain initiated a Plan for Shrub Clearing (PSC) combined with extensive livestock grazing in 1986, which is still in action today. This study analyses the effects of pairing clearing with grazing in an experimental area of the Leza valley (Iberian System) on: (i) the landscape structure and structural diversity; (ii) the production of pasture; (iii) fire control; (iv) soil organic carbon sequestration (also considering soil environmental types); (v) surface water resources. The results show that: (i) a more fragmented landscape with greater diversity is created; (ii) grazing land is almost doubled in alkaline soils and four-fold in siliceous soils; (iii) fires are considerably reduced, with the mean surface fire spread falling from 34.1 ha/year from 1968 to 1985, to 1.2 ha/year between 1986 and 2022; (iv) regenerated post-clearance grazing soils sequester more organic carbon than that of shrublands, especially older clearings on alkaline soils (55.3 % more); (v) clearing increases hydrological connectivity and water resources. The conclusion is that managing the Mediterranean mid-mountains could be a very effective strategy to improve the supply of certain ecosystem services and improve the current socio-economic perspective of these marginal areas in a context of Global Change. The PSC also contributes to local development by increasing livestock numbers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teodoro Lasanta
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Melani Cortijos-López
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - M Paz Errea
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Manel Llena
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Pedro Sánchez-Navarrete
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Javier Zabalza
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| | - Estela Nadal-Romero
- Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología (CSIC), Campus de Aula Dei. Avda. Montaña 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Coclet C, Sorensen PO, Karaoz U, Wang S, Brodie EL, Eloe-Fadrosh EA, Roux S. Virus diversity and activity is driven by snowmelt and host dynamics in a high-altitude watershed soil ecosystem. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:237. [PMID: 37891627 PMCID: PMC10604447 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01666-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Viruses impact nearly all organisms on Earth, including microbial communities and their associated biogeochemical processes. In soils, highly diverse viral communities have been identified, with a global distribution seemingly driven by multiple biotic and abiotic factors, especially soil temperature and moisture. However, our current understanding of the stability of soil viral communities across time and their response to strong seasonal changes in environmental parameters remains limited. Here, we investigated the diversity and activity of environmental soil DNA and RNA viruses, focusing especially on bacteriophages, across dynamics' seasonal changes in a snow-dominated mountainous watershed by examining paired metagenomes and metatranscriptomes. RESULTS We identified a large number of DNA and RNA viruses taxonomically divergent from existing environmental viruses, including a significant proportion of fungal RNA viruses, and a large and unsuspected diversity of positive single-stranded RNA phages (Leviviricetes), highlighting the under-characterization of the global soil virosphere. Among these, we were able to distinguish subsets of active DNA and RNA phages that changed across seasons, consistent with a "seed-bank" viral community structure in which new phage activity, for example, replication and host lysis, is sequentially triggered by changes in environmental conditions. At the population level, we further identified virus-host dynamics matching two existing ecological models: "Kill-The-Winner" which proposes that lytic phages are actively infecting abundant bacteria, and "Piggyback-The-Persistent" which argues that when the host is growing slowly, it is more beneficial to remain in a dormant state. The former was associated with summer months of high and rapid microbial activity, and the latter with winter months of limited and slow host growth. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results suggest that the high diversity of viruses in soils is likely associated with a broad range of host interaction types each adapted to specific host ecological strategies and environmental conditions. As our understanding of how environmental and host factors drive viral activity in soil ecosystems progresses, integrating these viral impacts in complex natural microbiome models will be key to accurately predict ecosystem biogeochemistry. Video Abstract.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clement Coclet
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| | - Patrick O Sorensen
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ulas Karaoz
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Shi Wang
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Eoin L Brodie
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Emiley A Eloe-Fadrosh
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Simon Roux
- DOE Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Liu W, Wang Z, Li R, Wu T. A bibliometric analysis of mountain ecosystem services, 2000-2019. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:16633-16652. [PMID: 34651277 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16766-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Research on mountain ecosystem services (MES) under the influence of climate change and human activities has gradually become the focus of academic attention in recent years. Here, this study analyzes the research hotspots and frontiers of this field based on metrics including main research forces, core journals and papers, research hotspots and topics by using the methods of bibliometrics and text mining. The results revealed the following: (1) the number of papers is increasing rapidly in recent years. From 2015 to 2019, 929 papers were published, with an average of 185 papers per year. But the average cited times of those papers is declining, dropped from 6.01 in 2016 to 4.2 in 2019. The USA, UK, and China rank the top three of the number of papers. Univ Maryland, Univ Oxford and Univ Wisconsin have the greatest influence, with an average of more than 77 citations per paper; (2) The most cited journals are PNAS, WETLANDS, ECOLOGY, AND SOCIETY, which are cited 191.54, 53.91, and 40.00 respectively. Most papers were published in OA journals including SUSTAINABILITY, WATER, Forests since 2017. Ten core papers undertaking knowledge transfer in this field have been identified; (3) analysis of the keywords found a new trend of integration of natural science and humanities. In two development stages of 2000-2014 and 2015-2019, the research hotspots mainly focused on mountain water resources, forest resources, land resources and the impact of climate change and human activities, and there are obvious differences and characteristics in different stages. The hotspot worthy of attention in the near future is the assessment of mountain ecosystem services capacity and value. This is the first comprehensive visualization and analysis of the research hotspots and trends of mountain ecosystem services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liu
- Cryosphere Research Station on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Zengru Wang
- Cryosphere Research Station on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Ren Li
- Cryosphere Research Station on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Tonghua Wu
- Cryosphere Research Station on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Sciences, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Markevych I, Browning MHEM, Rüdisser J. Natural and built environments and blood pressure of Alpine schoolchildren. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111925. [PMID: 34437849 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early life environments may influence children's blood pressure (BP), but evidence on the combined effects of natural and built environment exposures is scarce. The present study investigates the associations of natural and built environment indicators, traffic noise, and air pollution with BP in children living in Alpine valleys. METHODS In 2004/2005, 1251 school children (8-12 years old) were sampled for a cross-sectional survey in several Austrian and Italian mountain valleys. Children's mothers completed a questionnaire. The outcomes of interest were systolic and diastolic BP measured with a calibrated oscillometric device. Indicators of land cover assigned to the residential and school coordinates within 100 and 1000 m included normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), tree canopy cover, and a broader naturalness indicator titled distance to nature (D2N). The presence of a home garden was also measured via self-report. Imperviousness density served as a proxy for the built environment. Residential air pollution (NO2) and noise (Lden) from traffic were calculated using bespoke modeling. NO2, Lden, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) were treated as mediating pathways. RESULTS Higher NDVI and tree cover levels in residential and school surroundings and home gardens were consistently associated with lower BP. The built environment was associated with higher BP. Counterintuitive inverse associations between NO2 and Lden and BP were also found. Structural equation modeling showed that higher levels of greenspace and presence of a home garden were weakly associated with more outdoor play spaces, and in turn with lower BMI, and ultimately with lower BP. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to natural environments may help maintain normal BP in children, while built environment may increase children's BP. Outdoor play and less adiposity in greener areas may mediate some of these associations. Evidence on air pollution and noise remains controversial and difficult to explain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Psychology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Andrade-Linares DR, Zistl-Schlingmann M, Foesel B, Dannenmann M, Schulz S, Schloter M. Short term effects of climate change and intensification of management on the abundance of microbes driving nitrogen turnover in montane grassland soils. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146672. [PMID: 34030328 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Montane grasslands in Europe are exposed to increasing temperatures twice as fast as the global average. Changes in climatic conditions are possibly accompanied by an increase in land use intensity, caused by a prolongation of the vegetation period and the need to improve productivity. Therefore, the investigation of combined effects of climate change and land use intensity is needed to further implement agricultural management strategies. Here we present results from a study performed in the pre-alpine region of southern Germany, where intact plant-soil mesocosms from grasslands, were translocated along an altitudinal gradient, resulting in an increase in soil temperature (moderate treatment: +0.5 K; strong treatment: +1.9 K warming) during the experimental period. Additionally, we applied an extensive or intensive agricultural management (two vs. five times of mowing and slurry application) on the transplanted mesocosms. After an exposure of one year, we measured plant growth and soil properties and quantified abundances of soil microorganisms catalyzing key steps in the nitrogen (N) cycle. Our data indicate, significant interactions between climate change and management. For example, microbial biomass was significantly reduced (-47.7% and -49.8% for Cmic and Nmic respectively), which was further accompanied by lower abundances of N2-fixing bacteria (up to -89,3%), as well as ammonia oxidizing bacteria (-81.4%) under intensive management, whereas N-mineralizing bacteria increased in abundance (up to +139.8%) under extensive management. Surprisingly, the abundances of denitrifying bacteria as well as mean N2O emissions were not affected by the treatments. Overall, our data suggest pronounced shifts in the abundance of microbes driving the N cycle in soil as a result of combined climate change and land use intensification already after a short simulation period of one year.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana R Andrade-Linares
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Marcus Zistl-Schlingmann
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Baerbel Foesel
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Dannenmann
- Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Atmospheric Environmental Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schulz
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Schloter
- Research Unit Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Chair of Soil Science, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bertsch-Hoermann B, Egger C, Gaube V, Gingrich S. Agroforestry trade-offs between biomass provision and aboveground carbon sequestration in the alpine Eisenwurzen region, Austria. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 2021; 21:77. [PMID: 34720739 PMCID: PMC8550091 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-021-01794-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mountain agroecosystems deliver essential ecosystem services to society but are prone to climate change as well as socio-economic pressures, making multi-functional land systems increasingly central to sustainable mountain land use policy. Agroforestry, the combination of woody vegetation with crops and/or livestock, is expected to simultaneously increase provisioning and regulating ecosystem services, but knowledge gaps concerning trade-offs exist especially in temperate industrialized and alpine regions. Here, we quantify the aboveground carbon (C) dynamics of a hypothetical agroforestry implementation in the Austrian long-term socio-ecological research region Eisenwurzen from 2020 to 2050. We develop three land use scenarios to differentiate conventional agriculture from an immediate and a gradual agroforestry implementation, integrate data from three distinct models (Yield-SAFE, SECLAND, MIAMI), and advance the socio-ecological indicator framework Human Appropriation of Net Primary Production (HANPP) to assess trade-offs between biomass provision and carbon sequestration. Results indicate that agroforestry strongly decreases HANPP because of a reduction in biomass harvest by up to - 47% and a simultaneous increase in actual net primary production by up to 31%, with a large amount of carbon sequestered in perennial biomass by up to 3.4 t C ha-1 yr-1. This shows that a hypothetical transition to agroforestry in the Eisenwurzen relieves the agroecosystem from human-induced pressure but results in significant trade-offs between biomass provision and carbon sequestration. We thus conclude that while harvest losses inhibit large-scale implementation in intensively used agricultural regions, agroforestry constitutes a valuable addition to sustainable land use policy, in particular when affecting extensive pastures and meadows in alpine landscapes. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10113-021-01794-y.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bastian Bertsch-Hoermann
- Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Department of Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo), University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudine Egger
- Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Department of Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo), University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria
| | - Veronika Gaube
- Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Department of Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo), University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria
| | - Simone Gingrich
- Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), Department of Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo), University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Schottenfeldgasse 29, 1070 Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Broadbent AAD, Snell HSK, Michas A, Pritchard WJ, Newbold L, Cordero I, Goodall T, Schallhart N, Kaufmann R, Griffiths RI, Schloter M, Bahn M, Bardgett RD. Climate change alters temporal dynamics of alpine soil microbial functioning and biogeochemical cycling via earlier snowmelt. ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:2264-2275. [PMID: 33619353 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-00922-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Soil microbial communities regulate global biogeochemical cycles and respond rapidly to changing environmental conditions. However, understanding how soil microbial communities respond to climate change, and how this influences biogeochemical cycles, remains a major challenge. This is especially pertinent in alpine regions where climate change is taking place at double the rate of the global average, with large reductions in snow cover and earlier spring snowmelt expected as a consequence. Here, we show that spring snowmelt triggers an abrupt transition in the composition of soil microbial communities of alpine grassland that is closely linked to shifts in soil microbial functioning and biogeochemical pools and fluxes. Further, by experimentally manipulating snow cover we show that this abrupt seasonal transition in wide-ranging microbial and biogeochemical soil properties is advanced by earlier snowmelt. Preceding winter conditions did not change the processes that take place during snowmelt. Our findings emphasise the importance of seasonal dynamics for soil microbial communities and the biogeochemical cycles that they regulate. Moreover, our findings suggest that earlier spring snowmelt due to climate change will have far reaching consequences for microbial communities and nutrient cycling in these globally widespread alpine ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arthur A D Broadbent
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| | - Helen S K Snell
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Antonios Michas
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair for Soil Science, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Str 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - William J Pritchard
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Lindsay Newbold
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Irene Cordero
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Tim Goodall
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Nikolaus Schallhart
- Faculty of Biology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruediger Kaufmann
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstr. 25, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Robert I Griffiths
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Environment Centre Wales, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2UW, UK
| | - Michael Schloter
- Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair for Soil Science, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Str 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
| | - Michael Bahn
- Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Richard D Bardgett
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Michael Smith Building, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Thierry H, Parrott L, Robinson B. Next steps for ecosystem service models: integrating complex interactions and beneficiaries. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Accounting for ecosystem services (ES)—the ways in which society and people directly benefit from ecological processes and functions—is crucial for developing sustainable landscape management approaches that consider the interrelationship between people and nature. Previous research has produced models that estimate the provision of potential ES by landscapes to help inform policy and stakeholder decision-making. However, most modelling efforts do not consider the delivery of ES to specific human populations or communities, making it difficult to evaluate any possible human welfare implications from alternative land use planning scenarios. In this paper, we first explore the recent state of science of ES modelling from the perspective of ES provision and delivery to the people that benefit from them. Second, we propose the addition of some essential aspects of complexity using the classic social–ecological system framework, crucial for developing models to inform pragmatic decision-making. Our propositions are illustrated using simplified examples inspired by sea otter conservation in the seascapes of British Columbia. Integrating these concepts in future ES models should serve as a baseline for future management approaches that more adequately capture the important implications of landscape scenarios on human well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Thierry
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B9, Canada
| | - Lael Parrott
- The Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Brian Robinson
- Department of Geography, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0B9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tourists and Local Stakeholders’ Perception of Ecosystem Services Provided by Summer Farms in the Eastern Italian Alps. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12031095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the Alps, summer farms are temporary units, where cattle are moved during summer to graze on Alpine pastures, which provide multiple ecosystem services (ESs), many of which do not have a market value. This study aimed at understanding and comparing the perceptions of summer farms and of the associated ESs by local stakeholders and tourists in a study area of the province of Trento in the eastern Italian Alps. Thirty-five online questionnaires and two focus groups were realized with local stakeholders involved in the dairy value-chain. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 405 tourists in two representative summer farms. The perceptions of summer farms differed between local stakeholders, who mainly focused on provisioning ESs, and tourists, who mainly focused on cultural and regulating ESs. Both categories of actors rated positively eight different ESs associated with summer farms, but demonstrated a lack of knowledge of specific regulating ESs. This study showed that discussion among the different actors is required to increase mutual knowledge and to grasp the diversity of links between summer farms and ESs, in order to support public policies and private initiatives for promoting summer farm products and the sustainable development of mountain regions.
Collapse
|
11
|
Braun D, de Jong R, Schaepman ME, Furrer R, Hein L, Kienast F, Damm A. Ecosystem service change caused by climatological and non-climatological drivers: a Swiss case study. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2019; 29:e01901. [PMID: 30980439 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers of ecosystem change and their effects on ecosystem services are essential for management decisions and verification of progress towards national and international sustainability policies (e.g., Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Sustainable Development Goals). We aim to disentangle spatially the effect of climatological and non-climatological drivers on ecosystem service supply and trends. Therefore, we explored time series of three ecosystem services in Switzerland between 2004 and 2014: carbon dioxide regulation, soil erosion prevention, and air quality regulation. We applied additive models to describe the spatial variation attributed to climatological (i.e., temperature, precipitation and relative sunshine duration) and non-climatological drivers (i.e., random effects representing other spatially structured processes) that may affect ecosystem service change. Obtained results indicated strong influences of climatological drivers on ecosystem service trends in Switzerland. We identified equal contributions of all three climatological drivers on trends of carbon dioxide regulation and soil erosion prevention, while air quality regulation was more strongly influenced by temperature. Additionally, our results showed that climatological and non-climatological drivers affected ecosystem services both negatively and positively, depending on the regions (in particular lower and higher altitudinal areas), drivers, and services assessed. Our findings highlight stronger effects of climatological compared to non-climatological drivers on ecosystem service change in Switzerland. Furthermore, drivers of ecosystem change display a spatial heterogeneity in their influence on ecosystem service trends. We propose an approach building on an additive model to disentangle the effect of climatological and non-climatological drivers on ecosystem service trends. Such analyses should be extended in the future to ecosystem service flow and demand to complete ecosystem service assessments and to demonstrate and communicate more clearly the benefits of ecosystem services for human well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Braun
- Department of Geography, Remote Sensing Laboratories, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Rogier de Jong
- Department of Geography, Remote Sensing Laboratories, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Michael E Schaepman
- Department of Geography, Remote Sensing Laboratories, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Reinhard Furrer
- Departments of Mathematics and Computational Science, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
| | - Lars Hein
- Environmental Systems Analysis Group, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, Wageningen, 6700, The Netherlands
| | - Felix Kienast
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Damm
- Department of Geography, Remote Sensing Laboratories, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zurich, 8057, Switzerland
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, Dübendorf, 8600, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lavorel S, Grigulis K, Leitinger G, Kohler M, Schirpke U, Tappeiner U. Historical trajectories in land use pattern and grassland ecosystem services in two European alpine landscapes. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 2019; 17:2251-2264. [PMID: 31427884 PMCID: PMC6699994 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-017-1207-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Land use and spatial patterns which reflect social-ecological legacies control ecosystem service (ES) supply. Yet, temporal changes in ES bundles associated with land use change are little studied. We developed original metrics to quantify synchronous historical variations in spatial patterns of land use and ES supply capacity, and demonstrated their use for two mountain grassland landscapes. Consistent with other European mountains, land use dynamics from the nineteenth century until the mid-twentieth century resulted in increased landscape heterogeneity, followed by homogenisation. In the persistently grassy landscape of Lautaret in France, landscape multifunctionality-the provision of multiple ES-coincided with greatest landscape heterogeneity and within-patch diversity in ecosystem services in the 1950-1970s. In the more complex Austrian landscape, where since the nineteenth century intensive production has concentrated in the valley and steep slopes have been abandoned, grassland landscape-level multifunctionality and spatial heterogeneity across grasslands have decreased. Increasing spatial heterogeneity across grasslands until the 1970s was paralleled at both sites by increasing fine-grained spatial variability for individual ES, but subsequent landscape simplification has promoted coarse-grained ES patterns This novel analysis of landscape-scale turnover highlighted how spatial patterns for individual ES scale to multiple grassland ES, depending on the nature of land use spatial variability. Under current socio-economic trends, sustaining or re-establishing fine-grained landscapes is often not feasible, thus future landscape planning and policies might focus on managing landscape and regional-scale multifunctionality. Also, the trends towards decreasing cultural ES and increasing regulating ES suggest a contradiction with current social demand and regional policies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Lavorel
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, UMR 5553 CNRS–Université Grenoble Alpes, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Karl Grigulis
- Laboratoire d’Ecologie Alpine, UMR 5553 CNRS–Université Grenoble Alpes, CS 40700, 38058 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Georg Leitinger
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marina Kohler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Uta Schirpke
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Drususallee 1, 39100 Bozen, Italy
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Drususallee 1, 39100 Bozen, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Schirpke U, Kohler M, Leitinger G, Fontana V, Tasser E, Tappeiner U. Future impacts of changing land-use and climate on ecosystem services of mountain grassland and their resilience. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES 2019; 26:79-94. [PMID: 31110934 PMCID: PMC6525093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Although the ecosystem services provided by mountain grasslands have been demonstrated to be highly vulnerable to environmental and management changes in the past, it remains unclear how they will be affected in the face of a combination of further land-use/cover changes and accelerating climate change. Moreover, the resilience of ecosystem services has not been sufficiently analysed under future scenarios. This study aimed to assess future impacts on multiple mountain grassland ecosystem services and their resilience. For a study area in the Central Alps (Stubai Valley, Austria), six ecosystem services were quantified using plant trait-based models for current and future conditions (in 2050 and 2100) considering three socio-economic scenarios. Under all scenarios, the greatest changes in ecosystem services were related to the natural reforestation of abandoned grassland, causing a shift from grassland to forest services. Although the high resilience potential of most ecosystem services will be maintained in the future, climate change seems to have negative impacts, especially on the resilience of forage production. Thus, decision makers and farmers will be faced with the higher vulnerability of ecosystem services of mountain grassland. Future policies should consider both socio-economic and environmental dynamics to manage valuable ecosystem services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uta Schirpke
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marina Kohler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Leitinger
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Veronika Fontana
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Erich Tasser
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
A Framework for the Integration of Nature-Based Solutions into Environmental Risk Management Strategies. SUSTAINABILITY 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/su11020489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mountainous areas are expected to face increasing societal pressure due to mass tourism and the rising intensity and frequency of natural hazards triggered by climate change. Therefore, the development of proper strategies for the management of environmental risks will be crucial to ensure their liveability. Against this backdrop, concepts such as territorial resilience and Social–Ecological Systems (SES) can support the prioritisation of protective efforts. This paper presents a conceptual framework to be applied to areas subject to natural hazards. Its aim is to support the integration of different measures, with a special focus on protection forests and other Nature-based Solutions, into current risk management strategies. The framework considers (i) the definition of SES boundaries; (ii) the identification of the main goals to be achieved; (iii) the quantification of the supply and demand of the ecosystem protection service; and (iv) the development of risk management strategies able to include the management of protection forests among the adopted solutions. This framework is intended as a tool to be adopted by local and regional decision-makers as a tool to identify the areas at risk, to recognise the potential role of protection forests, and to operationalise the concept of resilience through the deployment of “grey-green” strategies.
Collapse
|
15
|
Kohler M, Stotten R, Steinbacher M, Leitinger G, Tasser E, Schirpke U, Tappeiner U, Schermer M. Participative Spatial Scenario Analysis for Alpine Ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2017; 60:679-692. [PMID: 28620759 PMCID: PMC5602087 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-017-0903-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Land use and land cover patterns are shaped by the interplay of human and ecological processes. Thus, heterogeneous cultural landscapes have developed, delivering multiple ecosystem services. To guarantee human well-being, the development of land use types has to be evaluated. Scenario development and land use and land cover change models are well-known tools for assessing future landscape changes. However, as social and ecological systems are inextricably linked, land use-related management decisions are difficult to identify. The concept of social-ecological resilience can thereby provide a framework for understanding complex interlinkages on multiple scales and from different disciplines. In our study site (Stubai Valley, Tyrol/Austria), we applied a sequence of steps including the characterization of the social-ecological system and identification of key drivers that influence farmers' management decisions. We then developed three scenarios, i.e., "trend", "positive" and "negative" future development of farming conditions and assessed respective future land use changes. Results indicate that within the "trend" and "positive" scenarios pluri-activity (various sources of income) prevents considerable changes in land use and land cover and promotes the resilience of farming systems. Contrarily, reductions in subsidies and changes in consumer behavior are the most important key drivers in the negative scenario and lead to distinct abandonment of grassland, predominantly in the sub-alpine zone of our study site. Our conceptual approach, i.e., the combination of social and ecological methods and the integration of local stakeholders' knowledge into spatial scenario analysis, resulted in highly detailed and spatially explicit results that can provide a basis for further community development recommendations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Kohler
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Rike Stotten
- Department of Sociology, Mountain Agricultural Research Centre, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Melanie Steinbacher
- LEADERRegion Kufstein und Umgebung-Untere Schranne-Kaiserwinkl, Prof.-Sinwel-Weg 2, 6330, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Georg Leitinger
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Erich Tasser
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Uta Schirpke
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Markus Schermer
- Department of Sociology, Mountain Agricultural Research Centre, University of Innsbruck, Universitätsstrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Steinwandter M, Schlick‐Steiner BC, Seeber GUH, Steiner FM, Seeber J. Effects of Alpine land-use changes: Soil macrofauna community revisited. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:5389-5399. [PMID: 28770076 PMCID: PMC5528212 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although soil invertebrates play a decisive role in maintaining ecosystem functioning, little is known about their structural composition in Alpine soils and how their abundances are affected by the currently ongoing land-use changes. In this study, we re-assessed the soil macrofauna community structure of managed and abandoned Alpine pastureland, which has already been evaluated 14 years earlier. Our results confirm clear shifts in the community composition after abandonment, in that (1) Chilopoda and Diplopoda were recorded almost exclusively on the abandoned sites, (2) Coleoptera larvae and Diptera larvae were more abundant on the abandoned than on the managed sites, whereas (3) Lumbricidae dominated on the managed sites. By revisiting managed and abandoned sites, we infer community patterns caused by abandonment such as changes in the epigeic earthworm community structure, and we discuss seasonal and sampling effects. Our case study improves the still limited understanding of spatio-temporal biodiversity patterns of Alpine soil communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Steinwandter
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEurac ResearchBozen/BolzanoItaly
| | | | - Gilg U. H. Seeber
- Institute of Political ScienceUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | | | - Julia Seeber
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEurac ResearchBozen/BolzanoItaly
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Egarter Vigl L, Tasser E, Schirpke U, Tappeiner U. Using land use/land cover trajectories to uncover ecosystem service patterns across the Alps. REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 2017; 17:2237-2250. [PMID: 32009851 PMCID: PMC6959402 DOI: 10.1007/s10113-017-1132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Managing multiple ecosystem services (ES) in agricultural landscapes is a challenging task, especially in regions with complex topographical and agro-ecological conditions. These challenges require ES assessment approaches that go beyond the case study level and provide multi-temporal information at a transnational level. We used a spatiotemporal approach to examine the impact of specific land use/land cover (LULC) trajectories on eight ES for the past 150 years. We show how a spatially explicit ES upscaling procedure, from case study to an Alpine-wide level, based on topographical, agro-ecological and socioeconomic parameters, can improve our understanding of ES dynamics and bundles. Our results indicated that the provision of multiple ES was not stable during the 150 years surveyed, mainly depending on the prevailing land management type and the biophysical conditions. ES bundle mapping enabled us to identify landscapes with consistent socioecological characteristics that are most likely to either enhance or diminish the provision of specific types of services. By introducing a spatiotemporal perspective into ES assessment, we provide clear evidence of the dynamic nature of ES provision and contribute to identifying processes and drivers behind these interactions. Our results emphasize that mountain ES supply is particularly sensitive to long-term LULC change, to biophysical characteristics and to regional socioeconomic conditions. They indicate the benefit of integrating of ES bundles into environmental policies at national and transnational level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Egarter Vigl
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, BZ Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Erich Tasser
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, BZ Italy
| | - Uta Schirpke
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, BZ Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute for Alpine Environment, Eurac Research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, BZ Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Schirpke U, Timmermann F, Tappeiner U, Tasser E. Cultural ecosystem services of mountain regions: Modelling the aesthetic value. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2016; 69:78-90. [PMID: 27482152 PMCID: PMC4962904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Mountain regions meet an increasing demand for pleasant landscapes, offering many cultural ecosystem services to both their residents and tourists. As a result of global change, land managers and policy makers are faced with changes to this landscape and need efficient evaluation techniques to assess cultural ecosystem services. This study provides a spatially explicit modelling approach to estimating aesthetic landscape values by relating spatial landscape patterns to human perceptions via a photo-based survey. The respondents attributed higher aesthetic values to the Alpine landscape in respect to areas with settlements, infrastructure or intensive agricultural use. The aesthetic value of two study areas in the Central Alps (Stubai Valley, Austria and Vinschgau, Italy) was modelled for 10,215 viewpoints along hiking trails according to current land cover and a scenario considering the spontaneous reforestation of abandoned land. Viewpoints with high aesthetic values were mainly located at high altitude, allowing long vistas, and included views of lakes or glaciers, and the lowest values were for viewpoints close to streets and in narrow valleys with little view. The aesthetic values of the reforestation scenario decreased mainly at higher altitudes, but the whole area was affected, reducing aesthetic value by almost 10% in Stubai Valley and 15% in Vinschgau. Our proposed modelling approach allows the estimation of aesthetic values in spatial and qualitative terms for most viewpoints in the European Alps. The resulting maps can be used as information and the basis for discussion by stakeholders, to support the decision-making process and landscape planning. This paper also discusses the role of mountain farming in preserving an attractive landscape and related cultural values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Uta Schirpke
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Timmermann
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Erich Tasser
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Smiraglia D, Ceccarelli T, Bajocco S, Salvati L, Perini L. Linking trajectories of land change, land degradation processes and ecosystem services. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 147:590-600. [PMID: 26654561 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.11.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Land Degradation (LD) is a complex phenomenon resulting in a progressive reduction in the capacity of providing ecosystem services (ES). Landscape transformations promoting an unsustainable use of land often reveal latent processes of LD. An evaluation carried out in respect to the different ecosystem services is nowadays regarded as the most appropriate approach for assessing the effects of LD. The aim of this study is to develop an evaluation framework for identifying the linkages between land changes, LD processes and ES and suggesting Sustainable Land Management (SLM) options suited to reverse (or mitigate) LD impact. A SWOT analysis was carried out with the aim to identify internal and external factors that are favorable (or unfavorable) to achieve the proposed SLM actions. The study areas are the Fortore valley and the Valpadana, in Italy. The main trajectory identified for the Fortore valley is related to land abandonment due to population aging and the progressive emigration started in the 1950s. The most relevant LD processes are soil erosion and geomorphological instability, affecting regulating services such as natural hazard and erosion control. SLM options should consider interventions to contrast geomorphological instability, the promotion of climate smart agriculture and of typical products, and an efficient water resources management. The main trajectories identified for Valpadana are related to urban expansion and farmland abandonment and, as a consequence, land take due to anthropogenic pressure and woodland expansion as the main LD process. The reduction of food production was identified as the most relevant provisioning service affected. SLM should envisage best practices finalized to water saving and soil consumption reduction: efficient irrigation solutions, climate smart agriculture and zero sealing practices. This study highlights the diagnostic value of the suggested approach where LD processes are elicited from land change trajectories determining specific impacts on ES and providing operational support for the implementation of SLM options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Smiraglia
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria- Research Unit for Climatology and Meteorology applied to Agriculture (CRA-CMA), Via del Caravita 7/a, 00186 Rome, Italy.
| | - T Ceccarelli
- Alterra Wageningen UR, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - S Bajocco
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria- Research Unit for Climatology and Meteorology applied to Agriculture (CRA-CMA), Via del Caravita 7/a, 00186 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Salvati
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria-Centre for the Study of Plant-Soil Interactions (CRA-RPS), Via della Navicella 2-4, 00184 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Perini
- Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agraria- Research Unit for Climatology and Meteorology applied to Agriculture (CRA-CMA), Via del Caravita 7/a, 00186 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Fondevilla C, Àngels Colomer M, Fillat F, Tappeiner U. Using a new PDP modelling approach for land-use and land-cover change predictions: A case study in the Stubai Valley (Central Alps). Ecol Modell 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2015.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
21
|
Leitinger G, Ruggenthaler R, Hammerle A, Lavorel S, Schirpke U, Clement J, Lamarque P, Obojes N, Tappeiner U. Impact of droughts on water provision in managed alpine grasslands in two climatically different regions of the Alps. ECOHYDROLOGY : ECOSYSTEMS, LAND AND WATER PROCESS INTERACTIONS, ECOHYDROGEOMORPHOLOGY 2015; 8:1600-1613. [PMID: 26688705 PMCID: PMC4681121 DOI: 10.1002/eco.1607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzes the impact of droughts, compared with average climatic conditions, on the supporting ecosystem service water provision in sub-watersheds in managed alpine grasslands in two climatically different regions of the Alps, Lautaret (French Alps) and Stubai (Austrian Alps). Soil moisture was modelled in the range of 0-0.3 m. At both sites, current patterns showed that the mean seasonal soil moisture was (1) near field capacity for grasslands with low management intensity and (2) below field capacity for grasslands with higher land-use intensity. Soil moisture was significantly reduced by drought at both sites, with lower reductions at the drier Lautaret site. At the sub-watershed scale, soil moisture spatial heterogeneity was reduced by drought. Under drought conditions, the evapotranspiration to precipitation ratios at Stubai was slightly higher than those at Lautaret, indicating a dominant 'water spending' strategy of plant communities. Regarding catchment water balance, deep seepage was reduced by drought at Stubai more strongly than at Lautaret. Hence, the observed 'water spending' strategy at Stubai might have negative consequences for downstream water users. Assessing the water provision service for alpine grasslands provided evidence that, under drought conditions, evapotranspiration was influenced not only by abiotic factors but also by the water-use strategy of established vegetation. These results highlight the importance of 'water-use' strategies in existing plant communities as predictors of the impacts of drought on water provision services and related ecosystem services at both the field and catchment scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Leitinger
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEuropean Academy of Bolzano/BozenBolzano/BozenItaly
| | | | - Albin Hammerle
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Sandra Lavorel
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie AlpineUniversité Joseph FourierGrenobleFrance
| | - Uta Schirpke
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEuropean Academy of Bolzano/BozenBolzano/BozenItaly
| | | | - Pénélope Lamarque
- Laboratoire d'Ecologie AlpineUniversité Joseph FourierGrenobleFrance
| | - Nikolaus Obojes
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEuropean Academy of Bolzano/BozenBolzano/BozenItaly
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute of EcologyUniversity of InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
- Institute for Alpine EnvironmentEuropean Academy of Bolzano/BozenBolzano/BozenItaly
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Sensitivity Analysis of a Land-Use Change Model with and without Agents to Assess Land Abandonment and Long-Term Re-Forestation in a Swiss Mountain Region. LAND 2015. [DOI: 10.3390/land4020475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
|
23
|
Grêt-Regamey A, Weibel B, Bagstad KJ, Ferrari M, Geneletti D, Klug H, Schirpke U, Tappeiner U. On the effects of scale for ecosystem services mapping. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112601. [PMID: 25549256 PMCID: PMC4280228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecosystems provide life-sustaining services upon which human civilization depends, but their degradation largely continues unabated. Spatially explicit information on ecosystem services (ES) provision is required to better guide decision making, particularly for mountain systems, which are characterized by vertical gradients and isolation with high topographic complexity, making them particularly sensitive to global change. But while spatially explicit ES quantification and valuation allows the identification of areas of abundant or limited supply of and demand for ES, the accuracy and usefulness of the information varies considerably depending on the scale and methods used. Using four case studies from mountainous regions in Europe and the U.S., we quantify information gains and losses when mapping five ES - carbon sequestration, flood regulation, agricultural production, timber harvest, and scenic beauty - at coarse and fine resolution (250 m vs. 25 m in Europe and 300 m vs. 30 m in the U.S.). We analyze the effects of scale on ES estimates and their spatial pattern and show how these effects are related to different ES, terrain structure and model properties. ES estimates differ substantially between the fine and coarse resolution analyses in all case studies and across all services. This scale effect is not equally strong for all ES. We show that spatially explicit information about non-clustered, isolated ES tends to be lost at coarse resolution and against expectation, mainly in less rugged terrain, which calls for finer resolution assessments in such contexts. The effect of terrain ruggedness is also related to model properties such as dependency on land use-land cover data. We close with recommendations for mapping ES to make the resulting maps more comparable, and suggest a four-step approach to address the issue of scale when mapping ES that can deliver information to support ES-based decision making with greater accuracy and reliability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne Grêt-Regamey
- Planning of Landscape and Urban Systems, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Weibel
- Planning of Landscape and Urban Systems, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kenneth J. Bagstad
- U.S. Geological Survey, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, P.O. Box 25046, MS 980, Denver, Colorado, 80225, United States of America
| | - Marika Ferrari
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Davide Geneletti
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano 77, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Hermann Klug
- Interfaculty Department of Geoinformatics – Z_GIS, University of Salzburg, Schillerstr. 30, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Uta Schirpke
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Tappeiner
- Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
- Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
van Oudenhoven AP, de Groot RS. Trade-offs and synergies between biodiversity conservation, land use change and ecosystem services. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE, ECOSYSTEM SERVICES & MANAGEMENT 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/21513732.2013.796150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rudolf S. de Groot
- a Environmental Systems Analysis Group , Wageningen University , Wageningen , The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|