The effect of landscape structure on biodiversity: beyond fragment based spatial and conservation

models

Hartel TiborHartel TiborMihai Eminescu Trust, SegesMihai Eminescu Trust, Segesvárvár

Mountain hay meadows - hot spots of biodiversity and traditional culture – 9 June, 2010

“The cultural landscape is an important element of the European identity” (R.H.G. Jongman, 2002, Landscape Research). - high level of biodiversity - high spatial heterogeneity - dynamism - cultural diversity - etc.

Cultural landscapes in Europe

Gyimes – Hidegség patakaVarga Anna

Balaton-felvidék, Monoszló

Varga Anna Szászföld – Neustadt (Újváros)HT

Hátszeg – Demsus (Demsdorf)Dan Cogalniceanu Bucovina – Alina Ionita

ProblemsProblems:: Increased use of Increased use of

chemicalschemicals HomogenizationHomogenization Land use Land use

intensificationintensification Habitat lossHabitat loss Land abandonmentLand abandonment Invasive speciesInvasive species Infrastructure, urban Infrastructure, urban

development etc.development etc.

(Donald et al. (2002) – (Donald et al. (2002) – Agriculture, Agriculture, Ecosystems and EnvironmentEcosystems and Environment).).

Piotr Skórka - Polandhttp://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/10946910.jpg

About the transferability of patch (island) based spatial and conservation models

(ex.) somewhere in France...

MatrixMatrix

-Binary space: habitat versus matrix-Easy to delineate habitats and populations-Island like protected areas (island biogeography), -Fragment based spatial models perform well-Humans are not part of „nature”,-Everything is fixed,-The habitat islands need management, while the “matrix not”.-Land sparing for nature strategy.

In intensively used agricultural landscapes...

Landscape composition and configuration in binary (i.e. habitat versus matrix like – „pattern oriented”) landscape.

Matrix

Matrix

„Habitat”

Source: http://www.birdlife.org/images/raw/agriculture_spray.jpg

This is how the human “umwelt” is visualized

-The habitat versus matrix delimitation is not obvious therefore…-…it is not easy to quantify the habitat and landscape effect (of course, there are exceptions…),-The space is fluid, landscape elements are not fixed,-Potentially huge level of resilience,-Ecological memory!-Humans are part of nature,-Wildlife friendly farming strategy

In traditionally managed landscapes…

Cris – Southern Transylvania

Cris – Southern Transylvania

Where are you matrix?

-How to delineate habitats and populations to use them as management units for conservation?-What is extinction, colonization, connectivity….?.-The fragment based spatial models does not work.-The “matrix” should be managed

Protected

Not protected

Delineating protected areas: help or destroy Delineating protected areas: help or destroy biodiversity?biodiversity?

SCI

SPA

Case study: amphibian occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania)

Weak landscape effect due to ecologically (close to optimal) conditions assured by low intensity land use

Amphibian occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania)Strong pond effects!

(Triturus cristatus)

2005 2010

Corncrake occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania)

132 males in an area of 245 sqkm (2005)

Occurrence and number of nests in Buteo buteo is influenced only by two variables:- Arable land cover (in 2 km2 quadrates)- Orchard cover (2 km2 quadrates)- Forest cover – close to significant effects.

Moga et al. in prep.

Meadows and pastures: many species threatened by land abandonment

2004 2006

2009 2010

Malmkrog – Malancrav - Almakerek

Alternative, complementing approaches

New challenges for conservation biology! Space is not always so fragmented as we (humans) perceive it! The presence of humans in the landscape is not necessarily

bad. Newly proposed spatial models and associated concepts:

Variegation and contour modelsDinamic landscapes – Landscape fluiditity

Good umbrella for these: the High Nature Value Land concept.

Variegation, continua and umwelt models, dynamic landscapes and landscape fluidity

Gradual changes are Gradual changes are consideredconsidered

Allows talking about Allows talking about landscape specieslandscape species

Allows the inclusion of Allows the inclusion of concepts like:concepts like:

- (socio-) ecological (socio-) ecological resilienceresilience

- Ecological memoryEcological memory- Umwelt Umwelt „There „There are

as many surrounding worlds as there are animals’’ (Von Üexküll, 1926)

Including humans in the formula: High Nature Value farmland (in nutshell)

a) A HNV are agricultural lands but:

HNV have a high species richness and spatially extent habitats

HNV have high number of protected species

b) The biodiversity of HNV lands is entirely dependent on the “wildlife friendly” low intensity agricultural works.

Therefore, the HNV concept emphasize the importance of traditional agriculture to conserve biodiversity in farmlands.

Mark Redman, ADEPT, unpubl. data

Protected areas and HNV areas in different countries of Europe

Protected areas in Turkey (it is not Europe…sorry :D)

HNV areas in Turkey

Protected areas in Spain

HNV lands in Spain

Conclusions (a bit beyond science)Conclusions (a bit beyond science) The fragment based spatial ecology and The fragment based spatial ecology and

conservation models may not be entirely conservation models may not be entirely applicable in CEapplicable in CE

The need for new, complementing approaches – The need for new, complementing approaches – with taking humans into considerationwith taking humans into consideration..

Big challenge: to integrate agricultural production Big challenge: to integrate agricultural production with nature and not treating them separatelywith nature and not treating them separately

Are we able to manage our social-ecological Are we able to manage our social-ecological systems in a sustainable way? Are we willing to do systems in a sustainable way? Are we willing to do this? How?this? How?

Special thanks for the following persons Special thanks for the following persons for the clever ideas and conversationsfor the clever ideas and conversations::

Báldi András, Piotr Tryjanowski, Báldi András, Piotr Tryjanowski, Carmen Carmen Gil, Gil, Öllerer Kinga, Dan Cogalniceanu, Jan Öllerer Kinga, Dan Cogalniceanu, Jan W. Arntzen,W. Arntzen, Joern Fischer. Joern Fischer.

The material of this talk is based on the The material of this talk is based on the following workfollowing work::

Thank you for your Thank you for your attentionattention