Regional agricultural landscape pattern changes along the Yellow River in Henan Province from 1987 to 2002

Agricultural landscape along the riparian zones is designated as important landscape components for partly controlling water quality, biodiversity, as well as for their aesthetic role in landscapes. Therefore, the change of agricultural landscape along the riparian zones is at the top of the agenda for many policy makers and landscape planners. As a basis for conservation management, sufficient information about landscape structure should be provided. In the present study, we reconstructed the former landscape structure and elucidated the changes in landscape patterns during a period of about 15 years. Two sets of maps were used： a landsat-5 TM image （1987） and landsat-7 ETM image （2002）. The frequency index, landscape diversity index and landscape fragmentation index were calculated for analyses. The results showed that： （1） the areas of the irrigated land, river, forest and beach landscape classes presented a decreasing trend while the areas of landscape classes of pool, paddy fields, dry land and construction land increased. （2） Disturbed by human activity, landscape diversity index increased but landscape fragmentation index decreased. In short, Human activities have had important influences on agricultural landscape of the riparian zones along the Yellow River in Henan Province.

Tourist preferences for agricultural landscapes:a case study of terraced paddy fields in Noto Peninsula,Japan

Many agricultural landscapes have been formed through the interaction and co-evolution of nature and people, and represent the living landscapes shaped over time through intensive and continuous human cultivation. Terraced paddy fields are being re-evaluated to take into account the multiple functions they fill beyond only rice cultivation, particularly their contribution to the national biodiversity strategy of Japan. Since the 1990 s, terraced paddy fields have been considered a representative cultural landscape of Japan and, at the same time, multi-stakeholder conservation activities have been conducted throughout Japan to reverse the increasing abandonment of terraces. Shiroyone Senmaida is an outstanding cultural landscape and a major tourist attraction in Noto Peninsula, Ishikawa Prefecture, which was designated through an initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems(GIAHS) pilot site in 2011. It is important to clarify tourist preference for terraced paddy field landscapes to contribute to future policy making toward improved agricultural landscape conservation. A key finding of this study is that tourists visiting toenjoy the agricultural landscape are also concerned on the sustainability of the farming methods and preferred to maintain the naturalness of the landscape. Respondents with higher educational levels and greater concern for the biological and traditional farming knowledge aspects of the rice terraces were also more inclined to favor sustainable farming practices. Tourists preferred to maintain the naturalness and rurality of the agricultural landscape, and indicated that construction of excessive tourist facilities would cause the landscape to deteriorate. It was suggested that the local community and surroundings, including rural settlements, hills, and forests, should also be conserved together with the scenic terrace.

Recreation of Agricultural Landscape for Children with Nature-deficit Disorder

Promoting human health is a basic value of landscape architecture. It is theoretically feasible to rebuild the link between children with nature-deficit disorder and nature via artificially-made natural environment. This paper explored the relationship between children's health and nature from the perspective of landscape architecture theories and practices. First, impact of nature-deficit disorder on children's health; second, basic appeals of children with nature-deficit disorder were sorted out; finally, specialized gardens for children with nature-deficit disorder under the instruction of the above theories were designed.

An Agent-Based Assessment of Land Use and Ecosystem Changes in Traditional Agricultural Landscape of Portugal

This paper presents an assessment of land use changes and their impacts on the ecosystem in the Montado, a traditional agricultural landscape of Portugal in response to global environmental change. The assessment uses an agent-based model (ABM) of the adaptive decisions of farmers to simulate the influence on future land use patterns of socio-economic attributes such as social relationships and farmer reliance on subsidies and biophysical constraints. The application and development of the ABM are supported empirically using three categories of input data: 1) farmer types based on a cluster analysis of socio-economic attributes;2) agricultural suitability based on regression analysis of historical land use maps and biophysical attributes;and 3) future trends in the economic and climatic environments based on the A1fi scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Model sensitivity and uncertainty analyses are carried out prior to the scenario analysis in order to verify the absence of systematic errors in the model structure. The results of the scenario analysis show that the area of Montado declines significantly by 2050, but it remains the dominant land use in the case study area, indicating some resilience to change. An important policy challenge arising from this assessment is how to encourage next generation of innovative farmers to conserve this traditional landscape for social and ecological values.

Exploration of Multi-modal Teaching Methods in Teaching of Agricultural Landscape Planning

Taking the teaching practice of agricultural landscape planning for example,this paper uses the multi-modal teaching idea for teaching design based on traditional lecture-style teaching,including multi-modal teaching materials,multi-modal teaching methods and multi-modal teaching evaluation. The results show that this method can effectively improve students' interest in learning,reinforce the theoretical basis of agricultural landscape planning theory,and improve agricultural landscape planning practical skills. It is the active exploration of multi-modal teaching model and useful complement to traditional classroom teaching.

Evaluation of Probability Distribution Functions for Modeling Forest Tree Diameters on Agricultural Landscapes in Ogun State, Nigeria

The use of probability distribution functions for describing tree diameter at breast height provides useful information for forest resource evaluation and quantification. A series of probability distribution functions have been widely developed and applied for managing forest trees in conventional forest reserves without much consideration for trees outside forest reserves. The aim of this study is to evaluate and propose a suitable probability distribution function for trees in Agricultural landscapes. The study examined 3-parameter lognormal, Lognormal, 3-parameter Gamma, Gamma, 3-parameter Weibull and Weibull distribution functions, using the Maximum Likelihood method for fitting tree diameter at breast height. Three hundred and thirty-two temporary farmlands were randomly selected from which stem diameter of all living trees, with diameter ≥ 10.0 cm, were measured. Results of the statistical analysis showed that the 3-parameter lognormal distribution gave a superior description of the stem diameter with the least values of Anderson Darling (1.627) and Akaike Information Criterion (5962.0) statistics. Hence, the 3-parameter lognormal distribution function was found suitable for the stem diameter of trees in Agricultural landscapes in the study area.

Ecological connectivity in fragmented agricultural landscapes and the importance of scattered trees and small patches

Background:Fragmentation and habitat loss can restrict species movement and reduce connectivity,negatively impacting biodiversity.Characterising the overall connectivity of an area can inform better management of human modified landscapes.Contemporary connectivity modelling methods seldom incorporate fine-scale movement patterns associated with movement between fine-scaled structural connectivity elements such as scattered trees,roadside corridors and small patches of habitat.This study aims to characterise connectivity within the Karuah-Myall catchments,a typical woodland ecosystem that is fragmented by agriculture,using least-cost path analysis and a graph-theoretic approach;it focuses on how fine-scaled vegetation such as scattered trees support connectivity.We mapped scattered(and paddock)trees within this agricultural landscape where the main human modified land use was pasture.We modelled connectivity for a general representative woodland species using an interpatch dispersal distance and gap crossing threshold,and resistance from different land cover types.The gap crossing distance threshold was used to model movement between fine-scaled vegetation features.We compared the least-cost paths modelled with and without scattered trees.Results:Our results show that by excluding scattered trees,least-cost paths across the cleared pasture landscape did not reflect the types of movement patterns typically observed from field studies,such as those associated with a foray-search strategy used by small and medium mammals and birds.The modelling also shows that the KaruahMyall catchments are well connected and provide value to biodiversity beyond the catchment borders,by connecting coastal vegetation to the Great Eastern Ranges national wildlife corridor initiative.Conclusion:Connectivity models that exclude fine-scale landscape features such as scattered trees and small,linear patches risk misrepresenting connectivity patterns.Models of regional-scale connectivity can be influenced by the presence or absence of even the smallest features,such as scattered trees.

Landscape eco planning and design: concepts, a framework approach and case study

s—In the paper, the three main principles of Landscape Ecology are put forward, that is, Holism Principles, Temporal spatial Scales Principles and Level Organization Principles, Eco cybernetic Principles and Mosaic Stable Principles. It is considered that landscape ecological planning & design (LEPD) is guided by landscape ecological theory, and its basic aim is to create a sustainable landscape ecological system (LES). Furthermore, a framework approach of LEDP is established, and a case study with Zhuolu Basin is taken with the concepts and the approach.

Flow or Fence: Learning, Preserving, and Redefining the Riverfront Cultural Landscape

The Chao Phraya River and the network of canals or “klongs” are the origin of Bangkok’s nick-name “Venice of the East”. Its amphibian nature of lower delta area where used to be covered by the sea around 5000 years ago provides a water-based settlement for the citizens. Rivers as an agricultural irrigation system are also used for daily consumption, transportation, and drainage channels. Bangkok was established in 1782 as the capital of Thailand by King Rama I of the Chakri Dynasty. The location is on a flood plain delta of the Chao Phraya River with the same consideration as the up north old capital Ayutthaya;the river is performed as a natural defense against enemies and also provides a water-based settlement for the citizens. The worst flood in Thailand’s history occurred during the 2011 monsoon season;July to November;that became the severest flood disaster hit parts of the capital city of Bangkok and resulted in a total of 815 deaths and 65 of Thailand’s 77 provinces were declared flood disaster zones, and over 20,000 square kilometers (7700 square miles) of farmland was damaged. The most affected areas were the recent capital Bangkok and the old capital Ayutthaya. The major causes were not only from the natural disaster but also water management failures from the human disaster. The studies aimed to include the survey of after-flood areas, reviewing the history of the waterfront communities and their attitudes toward development and changes, then discussed threats and crisis to the cultural landscape, the cause and effects of the disaster, the theoretical framework of the best management practices and the resolutions models proposed by the involved authorities. Whilst, history also gives us a sense of identity and traditional wisdom, the paper tried to find a paradigm shift and invented best practices for future generation flood protection using “the meaning and spirit of cultural landscape” model.

The effects of climate and land use change on the potential distribution and nesting habitat of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal

Climate change and land use change pose a threat to the world’s biodiversity and have significant impacts on the geographic distribution and composition of many bird species,but little is known about how they affect threatened large-sized waterbird species that rely on agricultural landscapes.To address this gap,we investigated how climate and land use changes influence the distribution and nesting habitats of the globally vulnerable Lesser Adjutant(Leptoptilos javanicus) in Nepal.Between 2012 and 2023,we collected distribution data from 24 districts and nesting site information from 18 districts.In a nation-wide breeding survey conducted in 2020,we documented a total of 581 fledglings from 346 nests in 109 colonies.The ensemble model predicted a current potential distribution of 15%(21,637 km2) and a potential nesting habitat of 13%(19,651 km2) for the species in Nepal.The highest predicted current suitable distribution and nesting habitat was in Madhesh Province,while none was predicted in Karnali Province.The majority of this predicted distributional and nesting habitat falls on agricultural landscapes(>70%).Our model showed a likely range expansion of up to 15%(21,573 km2) for the distribution and up to 12%(17,482 km2) for the nesting habitat under SSP5-8.5 scenarios for the 2070s.The range expansion is expected to occur mainly within the current distribution and breeding range(Tarai and some regions of Siwalk),particularly in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces,and extend to the northern portions(Siwalik and Mid-hill regions) in other provinces.However,the current Protected Areas and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas are inadequate for providing optimal habitats for the species.Although the model suggests range expansion,the use of such novel habitats is primarily contingent on the availability and protection of large-sized trees(particularly Bombax ceiba,observed in 65% of colonies) in agricultural regions where nesting occurs.Therefore,our research suggests that agricultural landscapes should be prioritized in management plans for the conservation of the Lesser Adjutant in Nepal.

The Impacts of Sugarcane Expansion on Wildlife in the State of Sao Paulo,Brazil

Brazil has become one of the top producers and exporters of food, fibre, and bionergy in the world.The expansion of livestock and soybean production in the Amazon basin appears to be independent of the sugarcane expansion in southeastern Brazil whereas the impact of sugarcane expansion over areas of soybean plantation in previous Cerrado biome is still unknown. However, the expansion of sugarcane production in the state of S?o Paulohas been shown to cause an increase in the local abundance of rodents and result in the emergence of infectious diseases such as hantaviruses and leptospirosis in humans. In addition, with an increase in the use of agrochemicals there will be an increase in euthrophication of watercourses and soil pollution. Considering that S?o Paulo has a population of approximately 40 million people, these local impacts are relevant. Environmental law should be improved and enforced in Brazil to ensure that sugarcane production is not only economically profitable but also environmentally responsible.

A research on development of agritourism in China-a case study of Beijing

Agritourism is a new kind of industry which combined agriculture with tourism and started from the 1970s with the development of agricultural economy and meeting the demand of touring consumption. It is an important way to exploit natural resources sufficiently, change the simplistic structure and promote the high efficient agriculture. It provides a new space for people to enjoy themselves and appreciate rural scenery. In light of its function, it can be classified into sightseeing, dietetics, shopping, recreation, leisure, health and vocationing. At present, most agritourism is concentrated at the suburbs of big cities, comparative developed regions along the seashore, scenic spots nationalities inhabited areas and regions of special agriculture. Beijing is a metropolis where tourism is comparatively well developed with advantageous conditions. Agricultural landscape is the theoretical base of agritourism. So it is important to construct agricultural landscape and artificial landscape is the premise to develop agritourism.

Rescuing agroforestry as strategy for agriculture in Southern Brazil

Knowledge about agricultural ecosystems, as well as about ecological and social interactions that occur in an agricultural context, is essential to promote a balanced environment for production. Incorporating the forest landscape into farming systems has promoted the development of integrated production systems such as agroforestry. However, many aspects of the relationship between farming and the forest landscape have changed since the modernization of agriculture introduced by the Green Revolution. The objectives of this review are：（1） to contribute to the understanding of the changes in cultivation strategies and in the dynamics of agricultural systems,particularly in the context of farming in Santa Catarina State, Brazil;（2） to contribute to the understanding of agroforestry systems as a strategy to reintroduce the element of forestry into agricultural production systems; and（3） to compile a list of forest plant species that could be used in agroforestry. The approach adopted in this manuscript seeks to highlight the potential of agroforestry systems to conserve natural resources and thereby to support agricultural development by connecting environmental conservation with income for farmers.

SWOT Analysis on the Development of Modern Ecological Land-scape Agriculture:A Case Study of Baiquan Ecological Park

With Baiquan Ecological Park in Yi County as the case,the basic conditions are analyzed from the aspects of area,population,natural resources,socio-economic and industrial development.SWOT analysis of the development of modern ecological landscape agriculture is carried out.It is pointed out that for developing modern ecological landscape agriculture in Western Qing Tombs region,it is necessary to give priority to protecting the ecological environment,highlight the characteristics and style of modern agriculture,consider the existing landscape elements,and comprehensively develop the integrated pattern of ecology,landscape and modern agriculture.

Landscape genetic analyses reveal host association of mitochondrial haplotypes in the Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis

Crop expansion often leads to high pest pressure.These pests may have fitness trade-offs related to host use,and some host-associated genotypes may benefit and increase in frequency.However,evidence concerning the effect of host availability on spatial distribution and frequency of mitochondrial haplotypes is scarce.We studied genetic variation of the Asian corn borer,Ostrinia furnacalis(Guenée),across a large area during 2 years(2016 and 2017).Mitochondrial sequence data were obtained from 530 individuals collected from 79 locations in Shandong Province,China.In total,155 haplotypes were found based on the combined cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(COI)and COII genes.Three haplotypes(H2,H12,and H23)were dominant,whereas most of the other haplotypes occurred in low frequency.A haplotype network showed that the 155 haplotypes can be grouped into three clusters.Haplotype clusters seemed to be randomly distributed.The frequency of H12(in Cluster 1)was positively correlated with maize crop proportion,but negatively correlated with other crops(primarily vegetables,oilseed crops,and cotton)at all spatial scales(1-,3-,and 5-km radius).Cluster 2 had haplotype H23,and this cluster was negatively correlated with semi-natural habitats.Cluster 3 had no dominant haplotype and was not affected by landscape factors.We conclude that H12 may be a maize-associated haplotype.Further study is needed to verify the possibility that the carriers of this haplotype may possess some fitness trade-offs.Our study highlights the importance of host availability in O.furnacalis haplotype distribution and frequency.

Moth diversity in three biofuel crops and native prairie in Illinois

The expanding demand for biofuel feedstock may lead to large-scale con- scription of land for monoculture production ofbiofuel crops with concomitant substantial negative impacts on biodiversity. We compared moth diversity in light-trap samples from corn, miscanthus, switchgrass and native prairie, to determine whether there is an observ- able relationship between plant species diversity and moth abundance and diversity. Moth alpha diversity was highest in prairie and was higher in switchgrass than in the other two biofuel crops. Beta diversity generally was low among the biofuel crops, and prairie shared lower beta diversity with switchgrass than with corn or miscanthus. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences in moth abundance per species among treatments. The alpha and beta diversity index findings are consistent with those of other studies on arthro- pods in biofuel crops and provide evidence to suggest that large-scale conversion of acreage to biofuel crops may have substantial negative effects on arthropod biodiversity both within the cropping systems and in the surrounding landscape.

三峡库区腹地山区农业景观格局动态变化与转型

Analyzing the agricultural landscape patterns in mountainous areas is critical to clarify the dynamic changes and development direction of agricultural landscapes.This also plays a significant role in the rational planning and management of agricultural land.A theoretical framework for agricultural landscape pattern transitions in mountainous areas is proposed to fill the gap of current research with an empirical study in the Caotangxi Watershed,Three Gorges Reservoir Area(TGRA),China.The transition characteristics of agricultural landscape patterns from 2000 to 2018 as represented by sloping farmland,abandoned land,and orchards are analyzed from a holistic-local perspective.The results indicate that the orchards expanded along river valleys,and abandoned land expanded at high elevations,which led to reduced sloping farmland.This phenomenon gives regional landscape differences at the holistic and local levels.Namely,it enhances the region’s holistic landscape diversity but causes fragmentation and aggregation of landscape patches in local areas.The agricultural landscape pattern transitions within the farming range in the study area are manifested primarily in four modes:sloping farmland-orchard conversion type(FOCT),comprehensive conversion type(CCT),partially abandoned type(PAT),and wholly abandoned type(WAT).Each transition mode reveals different development stages of the mountainous agricultural landscape patterns.In general,the agricultural landscape pattern transition is driven by socioeconomic factors in mountainous areas of the TGRA and is bidirectional.This attribute is expressed as the transition from the traditional grain-planting landscape with an even distribution to the eco-economic win-win orchard in valleys and transitions from sloping farmland to abandoned land in high-elevation areas.Overall,the results of this study reveal the uniqueness of agricultural landscape pattern evolutions in China’s mountainous areas in recent decades,which has enlightened the in-depth understandings of rural land use and agricultural ecosystems in mountainous areas of the TGRA,as well as improvements in rural developments and ecological environments.

Occurrence of an endangered grassland butterfly is mainly driven by habitat heterogeneity,food availability,and microclimate

The Marsh Fritillary(Euphydryas aurinia)was once widespread in large parts of Central Europe.However,in the course of the last century,populations of the butterfly largely collapsed.Here,we surveyed patch and microhabitat occupancy and its drivers in one of the last vital populations in calcareous grasslands.Our study revealed that environmental conditions at the landscape and habitat level determined the occurrence of E.aurinia in a montane agricultural landscape with low land-use intensity.Patch occupancy increased with the cover of Devil's-bit Scabious(Succisa pratensis)grasslands in the surroundings of the patches,habitat heterogeneity and host-plant cover.Microhabitat occupancy was driven by a warm microclimate and high availability of host plants.In the well-connected landscape of nutrient-poor grasslands,patch occupancy of E.aurinia was driven by parameters defining a high habitat quality.Habitat heterogeneity very likely buffers E.aurinia populations against environmental stochasticity and,hence,enhances long-term viability.For the gregariously feeding caterpillars of E.aurinia,host-plant biomass is essential.Due to their more luxuriant growth,S.pratensis plants were clearly preferred,although the Glossy Scabious(Scabiosa lucida)was also widespread.Additionally,the growth of large Succisa plants was favored by soil humidity and grassland abandonment.To cope with the adverse macro-and mesoclimatic conditions of the study area,females of the butterfly selected host plants growing in extraordinarily warm microhabitats for oviposition.To secure long-term viability of E.aurinia populations,we recommend creating mosaics of traditionally managed grasslands and early stages of abandonment within the patches.