Landscape Transformation in Mining Wastelands

Mining provides a wealth of mineral raw materials to human beings, while also causes serious damage to environment and ecology. For decades, landscape renovation in mining wastelands has become a multi-disciplinary research focus. However, compared with the developed countries, China has disadvantages of the relevant theoretical researches developing slowly with lacking supporting technology. According to the design principle of ＂reservation and utilization＂, we reviewed and summarized the methods of landscape transformation in mining wastelands, furthermore, using the way of researching successful cases at home and abroad. In lined with the specific circumstances in China, the target of landscape transformation and basic theories as methods of strategy was developed. Finally, the overall thinking and suggestions were put forward for the development of landscape transformation in mining wastelands.

Landscape Upgrading and Transformation of Old Urban Parks from the Perspective of Place Attachment:A Case Study of Nanchang Bayi Park

On the basis of combing the relevant theories of place attachment, the planning framework of upgrading and reconstruction of old parks based on place attachment was put forward. Taking Nanchang Bayi Park as an example, the methods and key points of landscape improvement and transformation of old urban parks based on place attachment were explained to provide new ways and references for the renewal of old urban parks.

Humus horizon development during natural forest succession process in the Polish Carpathians

As a result of socio-economic changes and land abandonment,the main ecological driver of the Carpathian landscape is the progression of the natural forest succession process.Thus,aspects of this process have become worthy of attention,especially in the context of carbon sequestration and the management of protected areas.Soil processes,especially within the topsoil,are some of the most susceptible to change,due to the accumulation of organic matter during such land-use transformations.The purposes of this study were to investigate the differences in topsoil development using the A Horizon Development Index(ADI)and to study the composition of humic substances and advanced organic matter humification in different land-use areas in selected Carpathian national parks,i.e.Bieszczady,Magura and Pieniny National Parks in southern Poland.Additionally,a goal of this study was to compare the ADI and the spectroscopic coefficients of humic substances as indicators of the degree of humus horizon shaping as well as advanced organic matter humification.In total,ten transects were selected,each consisting of three different land-use areas:semi-natural meadow,successional forest and old-growth forest.Soil colour was determined in fresh and air-dried samples using the Munsell colour chart.In air-dried soil samples p H,soil texture,total organic carbon and total nitrogen were measured.Humic substances were extracted and further characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy.The ADI confirmed the influence of natural forest succession on soil colour darkening and the development of the uppermost soil layer.Spectroscopic analyses of humic substances showed two different patterns depending on soil depth.In the 0–10 cm layer,natural forest succession reduced the rate of the humification process and decreased the degree of maturity of fulvic acids;in the 10–20 cm layer,it led to an increase in the rate of the humification process and a decrease in the content of humic and fulvic acids at the beginning of the transformation.The comparison of two different indicators of soil development–the ADI and the spectroscopic coefficients of humic substances(Q_(4/6),Q_(2/4),Q_(2/3),Δlog K)–indicated that these indexes are based on different features of soil and cannot be used interchangeably.

The Scramble for LandmSaving the Remains of Rural Space in Switzerland

In 2012 and 2013, the Swiss population voted on two separate yet related issues concerning spatial planning. In 2012 a restriction on second homes was introduced into the Constitution, in 2013 referendum the planning law was revised. Both issues wanted to restrict disproportionate building activities, and were accepted after a heated debate. This outcome mirrors a change in popular attitude towards constructions in the countryside and so-called ＂cold beds＂ （second homes used for a short time only）, but also towards the disfiguration of the （rural） landscape in general. At the same time it revealed two social rifts： between urban populations （that are increasingly migrating towards rural landscapes） and rural regions that want to obtain a similar level of living as the urban majority, and between lowland and mountain regions. The results of the referenda show that the population is very much concerned about the future of our landscape and environment. The paper discusses the two referenda and their implications for Switzerland in general and for regions that are considered marginal. Its focus lies on the political aspects of the two issues, which not only concern marginality but also are a challenge for national cohesion and direct democracy.

How Does the Blue C Stock Vary in Restored and Degraded Wetlands Across Land Cover Mosaics? Evidences from Medinipur Coastal Plain, India

Coastal wetlands are of paramount importance as major reservoirs of blue carbon(C),playing a crucial role in providing nature-based solutions to mitigate climatic changes.This research aimed to analyse the dynamics of total blue C(TBC)and its components;viz.soil organic C(SOC),below ground C,and above ground C;as well how they are influenced by land use/land cover(LULC)categories and wetland situations.Subsequently,study were identified as one restored wetland and another degraded wetland in the Medinipur Coastal Plain,India.The LULC categories were analyzed using Pleiades 1A and 1B satellite imagery,corresponding to the restored and degraded wetland,respectively.The quantification of SOC was based on point-specific sample data collected from both wetlands(nr=250;nd=84).Above ground biomass(AGB)was appraised employing allometric relationships involving field-measured dendrometric variables.Below ground biomass values were calculated using indirect allometric equations that take into account the AGB values.Integrating all the components,TBC stock of the restored and degraded wetlands were estimated at 246710.91 Mg and 7865.49 Mg,respectively.In the restored wetland,dense mangrove and open mangrove exhibited higher concentrations of blue C components,while other LULC categories demonstrated moderate to low densities.In the degraded wetland,the open mangrove category rechigh densities of C pools,whereas herbaceous vegetation,bare earth and sand,and waterbody exhibited lower concentrations.The results portrayed significant disparities(P<0.05)in blue C pools among different LULC categories in both wetlands.Furthermore,it was evident that wetland type and LULC category had notable(P<0.001)impacts on TBC dynamics,both individually and in combination.Overall,this research may aid in effective management of coastal wetlands as blue C sinks,emphasizing their significance as essential elements of climate mitigation strategies.

It is time to change land use and landscape management in the Czech Republic

The identity of man-made landscapes is based on the balance among their ecological,cultural,and economic dimensions.Since the 1950s,short-term economic benefits have globally often outweighed long-term interests.This results in decreased landscape quality manifested as increased erosion of agricultural land,decreased water retention capacity,increased landscape uniformity,and loss of biodiversity.A new phenomenon influencing the condition of man-made landscapes is climate change.Extreme fluctuations of temperature and precipitation have been causing repeated floods and also periods of drought in Europe.Landscapes damaged by inappropriate management are unable to offset these impacts.It is necessary to stop this development by changing land use and management methods to restore the balance among landscape functions.For the Czech Republic,we propose to develop a long-term landscape vision and to formulate a responsible landscape policy with regional strategic goals,including subsidies and penalties(carrots and sticks),based on the principles of the European Landscape Convention.To promote ecological stability,we recommend allocating funds from the Common Agricultural Policy to both the restoration and maintenance of valuable habitats.Landscape research and management(based on habitat/species monitoring in cooperation with stakeholders)must be strengthened in order to play a proper role in the transformation.It is time for clear communication with the public and the training of state officials and land users in spatial and landscape planning.To fill this gap in interdisciplinary cooperation,we call for the establishment of a platform on sustainable landscape management in the Czech Republic.