Spatial Analysis of Structural Changes and Floristic Distribution of Forest Landscapes in the Centre-West Region of Burkina Faso

Land use and occupation dynamics impact landscape structure, diversity, richness and balance of vegetation cover. The aim of this study is to describe the process of fragmentation of the forest landscape from 1990 to 2020 and its effects on the degradation of the floristic characteristics of the vegetation in the Central West region of Burkina Faso. To achieve this, satellite data were collected and processed as part of a mapping approach to describing the landscape and the different types of landscape fragmentation. Mapping indices of landscape fragmentation (relative richness, change process, patch zones, Shannon diversity index) were also calculated. These indices were programmed in Idrisi Selva’s Landscape Pattern and change process analysis module. Spatio-temporal analysis revealed that in 1990, the landscape was dominated by natural vegetation formations, covering 66.33% of the territory. By 2020, these had been degraded to 44.80% by farmlands. The mapping analysis of indices also showed that the study area is characterized by four types of landscape fragmentation, including attrition, aggregation, creation and dissection. We also observed an abundant homogeneity, diversity and richness of conservation areas with legal and land tenure status. However, the structure is heterogeneous in landscapes outside protected areas and in areas under human occupation. This shows the crucial role played by conservation areas in preserving and balancing the diversity of vegetative cover in the study area.

Evaluation of Application Value of 30 Introduced Flowering Shrubs in Landscape in Hefei City Based on AHP Method

The application effect of 30 introduced flowering shrubs in landscape in Hefei City was comprehensively evaluated by the analytic hierarchy process(APH).A comprehensive evaluation model was established by using factors such as plant type,resistance and drought tolerance of introduced flowering shrubs.The results show that the application effect of grade-I introduced flowering shrubs(including 12 kinds,e.g.Lantanacamara)was the best(j≥2.6),and that of grade-II introduced flowering shrubs(including 14 kinds,e.g.Abelia×grandiflora‘Francis Mason’)was better(2.2≤j<2.6),while that of grade-III introduced flowering shrubs(including 4 kinds,e.g.Ligustrum×vicaryi)was moderate(j<2.2).The evaluation results can provide reference for the application effect of introduced flowering shrubs in landscape in Hefei City.

Path-dependent speciation in dynamic fitness landscapes

Species is a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology and biodiversity.However,existing species definitions are often influenced by artificial factors or are challenging in practical application,leading to confusion in species classification.Due to uncertain environmental changes and random genetic drift,the fitness expectations of a population may shift,causing species to evolve to a new evolutionary state based on their current instantaneous fitness within a dynamic fitness landscape.This contrasts with the classic static fitness landscape,where fitness expectations are constant.In a dynamic fitness landscape,speciation may exhibit path dependence,where the evolution of traits follows a probabilistic path,creating feedback that shapes evolutionary trajectories.The path-dependent evolutionary mechanism suggests that species survival within an ecosystem is not directly determined by their fitness but by the probability of their evolutionary pathways.This model also indicates that species can coexist with varying probabilities under limited environmental pressures.Consequently,new species,cryptic species,or sympatric species may emerge via path-dependent evolutionary processes.Within this framework,we developed a mathematical species concept,which may guide future species classification methodologies.

Research on Evaluation of Terrace Cultural Landscape Heritage Value from the Perspective of AVC——Take Three Famous Terraces in Southern China for Example

The objective evaluation to the terrace cultural landscape heritage value can provide targeted scientific basis for continuation of terrace culture landscape and establishment of protection measures. On the basis of field investigation, expert consultation and literature review, combined with the AVC （Attraction、Vitality and Ca-pacity）theory and Analytic Hierarchy Process based on Fuzzy Comprehensive Evalu-ation, the terrace cultural landscape heritage protection evaluation system and eval-uation model, which selects 22 indicators from three levels including terrace culture landscape resources attraction, resources vitality and resources bearing capacity were structured. Based on col ection of data, material from field survey of China＆#39;s most representative Yunnan Yuanyang Hani terrace, Hunan Ziquejie terrace and Longsheng Longji terrace and relevant mathematical calculation to determine evalua-tion index weights, organical y combined of qualitative with quantitative analysis, the diversity, reasonableness and accuracy of evaluation system is improved. Compre-hensive result of mathematical statistics showed that the rank of the cultural land-scape heritage value with the three most representative terraces in southern China is： γ（Hani）〉γ（Longji）〉γ（Ziquejie）.

Analysis of Landscape Vitality of Historical and Cultural Blocks Based on AHPFuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Method:A Case Study of Daopashi Street in Anqing City

Historical and cultural blocks are witnesses of history and inheritors of culture. As one of the main spaces for outdoor interaction in historical and cultural blocks, the improvement of its vitality is of great significance for the improvement of residential environment and the better inheritance of history and culture. Taking Daopashi Street in Anqing City as an example, an evaluation model of landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks was constructed from three aspects of viewing function, store status and service facilities, and analytic hierarchy process was used to determine the index weight and vaguely evaluate the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks. The results show that through the comparison of weight, architectural style(0.317), the practicability of service facilities(0.168) and plant landscape(0.165) had a significant impact on the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks,and the landscape spatial vitality of historical and cultural blocks in Daopashi Street in Anqing City was at a good level.

Landscape Ecology:Coupling of Pattern,Process,and Scale

Landscape ecology provides new theoretical frameworks and methodologies for understanding complex ecological phenomena at multiple scales.Studies of landscape ecology focus on understanding the dynamics of eco-logical patterns and processes,and highlight the integration of multiple disciplines.In this paper,we discussed the problems and challenges that landscape ecology is currently facing,emphasizing the limitations of current methods used to describe dynamic landscape patterns and processes.We suggested that the focus should be on the integration of ground-based observation,mobile monitoring,transect survey,and remote-sensing monitoring,as well as improved coupling of experimental and model simulations.In addition,we outlined the research frontiers in landscape ecology,including scaling,integrated pattern and process modeling,and regional synthesis.Lastly,a brief review of pat-tern-process-scale coupling studies in China was provided.We concluded by pointing out that pattern-process-scale interactions,correlations between natural,economic,and social processes,and the coupling of human and natural systems will be major research areas in landscape ecology in the future.

Evaluation of urban river landscape design rationality based on AHP

An evaluation model for the rationality of the landscape design of urban rivers was established with the analytic hierarchy process （AHP） method so as to provide a foundation for updating the landscape design of urban rivers. The evaluation system was divided into four layers, including the target layer, the comprehensive layer, the element layer, and the index layer. Each layer was made of different indices. The evaluation standards for each index were also given in this paper. This evaluation model was proved tenable through its application to the landscape design rationality evaluation of the Weihe River in Xinxiang City of Henan Province. The results show that the water quality, space, activity, facility, community, width of vegetation, sense of beauty and water content are among the most influential factors and should be considered the main basis for evaluating the rationality of the landscape design of urban rivers.

Impacts of tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie,a hill station in the lower Himalayan range of India

Tourism in mountainous regions is a significant source of revenue generation. However, it has also been associated with many adverse environmental consequences. This study aims at assessing the negative impacts of the incessant upsurge in tourism development on the physical environment of Mussoorie, a well-known mountain tourist destination in India. The impact indicators for the region were identified and assessed by qualitative and quantitative analysis of field observations. The observations indicated the aggravation of traffic congestion, atmospheric pollution, undisposed solid waste, water scarcity and infrastructure unavailability as the prevalent issues, especially during the peak tourist months. The extent of the consequential damage to the environment was evaluated by conducting an assessment of tourism-induced human disturbance on the natural landscape of the town. Slope, slope aspect, vegetation cover, road network and drainage network were incorporated as thedetermining landscape attributes to prepare thematic maps of landscape quality(perceivable intrinsic properties) and landscape fragility(vulnerability to anthropogenic disturbances) using GIS technique. An absorption capacity map was finally prepared to characterize the study area into regions of different conservation needs. The results identified the need for planning appropriate preservation strategies for different tourist places in the town. The study can be used by the policy makers for implementing the regulatory measures against potential disturbances due to mass-tourism.

Multifunctional Landscape Actor-Network Construction from the Perspective of Rural Tourism Experiences

During the construction of multifunctional landscape(MFL) actor-network, economic, social, and ecological functions presented significant differences, which resulted from the different roles and effects of various heterogeneous actors according to the tourism experience. In Hekou Village at the border area between China and North Korea, the roles and effects of heterogeneous actors during the MFL actor-network construction were analyzed by means of the analytic network process(ANP), which verified the Groundings-Entrepreneurship-Markets(GEM) theoretical framework of the MFL actor-network that assumed tourism experiences were core actors, and economic, social, and ecological landscape actors acted as support. Research results showed that in the MFL actornetwork construction, social and economic functions of landscapes were strong, while ecological and tourism experience functions were weak and that folk customs and land utilization were key actors of the MFL actor-network construction. In the MFL actor-network construction, actors played different roles and had different effects on the network. Intelligence facilities and rurality were critical to drive the MFL actor network translation process and pass through "obligatory passage point". By changing the interaction mode and intensity of the actors, the MFL actor-network could be promoted.

Evaluation of Plant Landscape in Residential Areas Based on AHP and TOPSIS

Taking 6 residential areas in Nyingchi of Tibet as research objects,from aesthetic effect,ecological function and leisure service,this paper established the evaluation indicator system for plant landscape in residential areas using AHP,and calculated the weight of indicators using the judgment matrix. Besides,it calculated the ideal solution and closeness degree of matrix using TOPSIS,and established the evaluation method and preference method for plant landscape in residential areas. The results show that the indicators of seasonal variation,environmental benefit and per capita green space mattered most in the landscape evaluation of residential areas. The richness of flowering plant is weak in the landscape evaluation. From the comprehensive evaluation of residential areas,Nyingchi Garden District and Xingfu District have excellent plant landscape,Jialong Garden District and Shangcheng Garden District have general plant landscape,and Sun City District and Niyang Garden District have poor plant landscape.

Topographic controls on the annual runoff coefficient and implications for landscape evolution across semiarid Qilian Mountains, NE Tibetan Plateau

The combination of different topographic and climatic conditions results in varied precipitation-runoff relations, which in turn influences hillslope erosion, sediment transport and bedrock incision across mountainous landscapes. The runoff coefficient is a suitable tool to represent precipitation-runoff relations, but the spatial distribution of the runoff coefficient across tectonically active mountains in semi-arid environments has received little attention because of limited data availability. We calculated annual runoff coefficients over 22 years for 26 drainage basins across the semi-arid Qilian Mountains based on:(i) annual discharge records;and(ii) the China Meteorological Forcing Dataset to enhance our understanding of the precipitation-runoff processes. The mean annual runoff coefficients show no obvious spatial trends. When compared to potential controlling factors, mean annual runoff coefficients are highly correlated with mean slope rather than any climatic characteristics(e.g., mean annualprecipitation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index). The slope-dependent runoff coefficient could theoretically have enhanced the topographic control on erosion rates and dampen the influence of precipitation. The enhanced discharge for drainage basins with less precipitation but steep topography in the western Qilian Mountains will enable fluvial incision to keep pace with ongoing uplift caused by the northward growth of the Qilian Mountains. The geomorphic implications are that tectonic rather than climatic factors are more significant for long-term landscape evolution in arid and semi-arid contexts.

The Geosystem Analysis of Exogenesis of High-Mountain Landscapes of the Basin of the River Girdymanchay in Azerbaijan

For the geological systems, assessment of influencing exogenous relief forming processes having essential impact on development of landscape status arises need of development of various field and image interpretation methods for creation of scenarios of possible changes of a geo-ecological situation in various massif having harmful consequences, by identification of relationships of cause and effect. It was analyzed possibilities of prognosis of the changes of the geo-ecological situation in high-mountainous of Great Caucasus with use of the geological, geomorphologic, climate and landscape materials, data of digital processing of the photo images and visual observation. Also the possibilities of forecasting of change of landscape structure of highlands in natural area of Great Caucasus with use of various data were analyzed. It was defined the main differences of relief situation, hydro meteorological conditions in the various parts of high-mountainous geo systems?in which exogenic processes were shown, character and intensity of land using which had the influence to the slope slides. These data allowed revealing the main distinctions of factors of a relief situation?in which were shown exodynamic relief and landscape forming processes, character and intensity of the land use, to some extent influencing on descent of landslides and area of their destructive.

Runoff separation and eco-hydrological function in the typical landscape zones combining hydrochemical and isotopic tracers:a review

The study on the coupling relationship and hydrology mechanism between ecosystem and hydrological process in a basin has recently become the international research frontier in hydrology.Runoff separation is still an important subject and possibly cutting edge process in hydrology.This paper summarizes the progress of national and international research,and comments on the advantages and disadvantages of recent,diverse base flow separation methods.This paper also presents research on hydrological process and eco-hydrological function in different landscape zones,combining isotopic technology with hydrochemical methods.Based on the runoff separation of different water bodies,this paper probes into the coupling relationship and hydrology mechanism between ecosystem pattern and eco-hydrological process,and makes analysis on water conservation,regulation and storage mechanism,and eco-hydrological function in different landscape zones.This report also examines future trends in research on hydrological process and eco-hydrological function in mountainous areas.

Suitability Evaluation of Garden Landscape in Chizhou Residential Area

Through the field survey of construction of garden landscape in residential areas,combined with the analytic hierarchy process( AHP),this paper established a reasonable and feasible suitability evaluation system for garden landscape in residential areas. Researches indicated that the environment of garden landscape in residential areas of Chizhou City in Anhui province remains at the level of intermediate and lower level,and there are great differences between different areas. In the later period of the construction,it is recommended to strengthen the construction of soft physical environment for new residential areas,and speed up the improvement of the physical environment of the residential areas already built and under construction,so as to create a livable space with beautiful environment,excellent ecology,deep community culture,and outstanding regional characteristics.

Deciphering of Space Images of the Inder Salt-Dome Upland in ENVI 4.7 Program

Space images play an important role in the Earth study as they bring the main information received from the Space Flyer Units (SFU) to help researchers. Space images’ deciphering gives the opportunity to study the territory and to plot different maps. On the basis of the space image obtained from Landsat 5TM (30 m resolution, 01.09.2012 year), we managed to get a picture of the modern relief of the northern part of Inder lake. When comparing the space image with topographic maps of 1985, we succeeded to identify the dynamics of landforms change on the studied area, what has been shown on the drawn map of the relief of the Inder salt dome uplift. 14 classes, corresponding to a particular type of terrain or to a landscape complex, have been distinguished on the studied area. Inder salt dome uplift is a paradynamic conjugation, consisting of highly karsted Inder Mountains corresponding to large diapir uplift, and of the Inder Lake having a large ellipsoidal shape. Geomorphologically, the investigated territory is located on the left bank of Zhaiyk River, and presents a salt dome uplift in the form of a plateau-like hill raised above the surrounding surface from 12 to 40 m. The maximum height reaches 42.5 m (g. Suatbaytau). The crest of the Inder salt dome is composed of Low Permian sediments (rock salt with anhydrite, potassiummagnesium salts), and has an area of about 210 km2. Inder lake’s basin is represented by a tectonic depression, which is the local basis of erosion and is a drainage place of the Inder uplift karstic water. The lake area is 150 km2. Depending on the climatic conditions, the water level can vary.

Methodological Framework for a Multi-Scale Study on Hydrological Processes and Soil Erosion in Subtropical Southeast China

This paper introduces and illustrates the concepts of geoecological process combinations and geographical or landscape dimensions by outlining the methodology of a Sino-German cooperative project in Southeast China and presents the first results of the modelling process for the catchment scale. The project equipped a catchment in subtropical Southeast China from plot scale to catchment scale in order to study the hydrological and soll erosion processes. Distinct spatial differences in principal water and soil material fluxes were quantified. Deep drainage peaks occurred in May, June and July and even in August and November. Measurements in erosion plots as well as sedimentary deposits revealed that there was soil erosion connected with overland flow. Consistent with the results from the regular catenary variations of soil colors, textural stratification and hydrograph analysis, there was also a clear indication of interflow from measured soil moisture data. The experimental set up has the potential to further deepen the understanding of small-scale processes involved in lateral water fluxes and soil erosion. The expected results and interpretations will lead to a further integration of the collected data. In the future, to understand matter transfer in and between landscape ecological units, agricultural influence on nutrient status and flux data will be incorporated.

Spatial Process of Green Infrastructure Changes Associated with Rapid Urbanization in Shenzhen,China

Through a case study of Shenzhen City,China,this study focused on a quantitative method for analyzing the spatial processes involved in green infrastructure changes associated with rapid urbanization.Based on RS,GIS and SPSS statistics software,the approach includes selection of the square analysis units and representative landscape metrics,quantification of the change types of landscape metrics in all analysis units through two indices and hierarchical cluster analysis of the above analysis units with different landscape metric change types(i.e.spatial attributes).The analyses verify that there is a significant sequence of continuous changes in green infrastructure in Shenzhen.They are the perforation,the segmentation,the fragmentation,the evanescence and the filling-in processes,which have a good spatio-temporal correspondence with urbanization and reflect the synthetic influence of urban planning,government policies and landforms.Compared with other studies on quantifying the spatial pattern,this study provides an alternative probe into linking the spatial pattern to spatial processes and the corresponding ecological processes in the future.These spatio-temporal processes offer many opportunities for identifying,protecting and restoring key elements in an urban green infrastructure network for areas in the early stages of urbanization or for non-urbanized areas.

ANALYSIS ON SPATIAL DIFFERENCE OF LAND USECHANGE BASED ON PHYSICAL AND CULTURALLANDSCAPE ATTRIBUTES──A Case Study at Mongolian AutonomousCounty of Qian Gorlos, Jilin Province

Land use changes are regarded as landscape pattern change driven by many interactive natural and social-economic factors. Different combination of physical geographical elements induced the difference of spatio-temporal pattern of land use change. There are four physical geographical regions in Mongolian Autonomou County of Qian Gorlos of Jilin Province. Based on spatial analysis and statistical analysis, we conclude that the primary pattern of land use and the tendency of land use changes are all different in four physical geographical regions. During 1987 – 1996, the dominant land use change processes were from grassland or forest to arableland, from unused land to paddy and grassland to unused land. Though land use change is mainly affected by social and economic condition in short period, the composite characters of physical geographical elements controls land use dynamic process. The relationship between land use dynamic process and the character of physical geographical units differ in different regions. Possible human impacts on land use change are explored with application of buffer areas of series distance along main roads and radius around main settlements. A few models are built to describe the relationship between land use spatial change rates and distance to road and settlements. According to our result, the relationship with the proximity to roads was a negative liner function, with the change rate decreasing rapidly when moving away from roads. Within a distance of less 7.5km from main traffic lines, land use changes occur red more. The bulk of grassland was apt to be opened up for cultivation around the settlements and the transformation from dryland to paddy occurred within the distance of 1km away from settlements.

Selection and Evaluation of Road Landscape Trees in Binzhou University

Several quantitative and qualitative indexes were selected for road landscaping in universities, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to construct an evaluation system for the selection of road landscaping trees for universities. Such an evaluation system was also used to objectively and comprehensively appraise present ornamental tree species in Binzhou University, and select species fit for its road landscaping, plant furnishings in Binzhou University were also analyzed.

Optimizing Rank of Landscape Planning Works of Urban Wetland Park

Classifying and ranking the huge amounts of landscape planning works of urban wetland park is always difficult due to the multi-functions （ecological, leisure, educational and disaster prevention） of the urban wetland park. Therefore, an optimizing rank system is urgently needed. Analytic Hierarchy Process （AHP） and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution （TOPSIS） models were used to rank the planning works of 30 urban wetland park based on four mainly factors, which included landscape ecological planning, landscape planning, ecological planning and economic planning. The study indicated that the AHP- TOPSIS model had good discrimination in the classification and ranking of landscape planning works of urban wetland park and it was also applicable to the planning works of other urban greenbelts.