Human‐induced land degradation and biodiversity of Classical Karst landscape: On the example of enclosed karst depressions (dolines)

Valjavec, Mateja Breg; Zorn, Matija; Čarni, Andraž

doi:10.1002/ldr.3116

Cited by 27 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…Generally, disturbances reduced the number of species that are cool-adapted, moist-adapted and of high conservation importance, reducing the conservation value of dolines. Several other studies have highlighted that climatically diverse habitats are extremely sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances and that their recovery from such disturbances may be slow or incomplete (Stylinski and Allen 1999;Lindenmayer et al 2017;Breg Valjavec et al 2018b). We found that stronger disturbances that have a significant effect on the vegetation structure, such as intensive logging and invasion by Calamagrostis epigejos, can lead to significant declines of cool-adapted, moist-adapted and high-conservation importance plant species in dolines (Figs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Dolines and their unique biota are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbances (De Waele 2009;Breg Valjavec et al 2018b;Jian et al 2018). For instance, road construction, overgrazing and nutrient addition by sheep have seriously threatened plants endemic to dolines in the Greek Archipelago biodiversity hotspot (Egli 1991;Brullo and Giusso del Galdo 2001;Iatroú and Fournaraki 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anthropogenic disturbances alter the conservation value of karst dolines

et al. 2019

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Dolines are depressions in karst landscapes that are of high value for conservation, providing habitats and supporting species not found in the surrounding landscape. This is due to their high microhabitat diversity and ability to decouple microclimate from regional climate changes, making them potential refugia for biodiversity. Nevertheless, local anthropogenic disturbances have had considerable impact on the species composition and vegetation structure of many dolines. Here we investigate the conservation value of dolines in three European karst areas, where different levels and types of anthropogenic disturbances have been shaping the vegetation for centuries, using the number of plant species that are cool-adapted, moist-adapted and of high conservation importance (i.e. vulnerable species) as indicators. We found that anthropogenic disturbances generally have a negative impact, reducing the number of vulnerable species supported by dolines. However, more cooladapted and moist-adapted species were found in some dolines planted with non-native Picea abies than in less disturbed dolines, indicating that anthropogenic disturbances can also have positive consequences for biodiversity. We conclude that anthropogenic disturbances alter the capacity of dolines to support vulnerable species, and that this will impact survival of species in landscapes under global warming. In this context, the effects of various disturbances on species composition and diversity need to carefully considered to determine the best conservation and/or management options.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic disturbances alter the conservation value of karst dolines

et al. 2019

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“…However, by themselves, human impact indicators cannot highlight the mechanisms of environmental change. For example, Breg Valjavec et al (2018b) found that hemeroby indicators were suitable to infer the degradation of Slovenian karst depressions resulting from landfilling. The same authors characterized the same areas by applying moisture, nutrient, and pH Ellenberg indicators (Breg Valjavec et al, 2018a), which provided insight into edaphic effects of landfilling.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sites with higher hemeroby values have distinct, degraded communities of non‐native and weedy (i.e. ruderal) species (Breg Valjavec et al, 2018b). The vegetation of sites in lower hemeroby categories is characteristic of late‐successional communities, some of which can be indicative of past European landscapes (Sukopp, 1969; cf.…”

Section: Introductions To the Human Impact Indicator Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Expert‐based measures of human impact to vegetation

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et al. 2020

Applied Vegetation Science

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Background Human impact has had a profound influence on modern vegetation. Expert‐based vegetation indicator systems have been developed to measure and characterize human impacts on vegetation. Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is a widely used, primarily North American system for assessing degradation and natural quality through species‐based values called coefficients of conservatism. The hemeroby and naturalness indicator value (NIV) systems were independently developed for users to assess human impacts in Europe. Despite the similarities among these indicator systems, there is no mutual recognition among them, and they have developed and operate in relative isolation from one another. Approach We review the FQA, hemeroby, and NIV systems to provide a basic summary of the three systems and to evaluate them, highlighting their nearly identical core mechanics and conceptual commonalities. We also compare and contrast the three systems to less integrative ecological indicator systems that can be used to indirectly measure human impact, notably the Ellenberg system. Findings We describe how FQA and naturalness indicator values, in particular, could be considered twin systems. Despite these core similarities, users of these systems do not cite each other, potentially overlooking benefits from applying methods and concepts from separate systems. The FQA, hemeroby, and NIV systems have unique weaknesses, strengths, and primary applications compared to other ecological indicator systems. Conclusions We conclude by discussing the future role and utility of the three specialized human impact indicator systems for scientists and practitioners. Human impact indicator values may be valuable for use in basic research, but arguably their most important applications are in the practice of conservation, such as monitoring restored ecosystems.

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“…Historic soil contamination within floodplains is essential to consider as related to water resource planning and the construction of large hydraulic infrastructure, such as dams and reservoirs. Breg Valjavec, Zorn, and Čarni (2019) consider this topic in relation to dam and reservoir planning for the Sava River (Slovenia). Their study concerns problems of floodplain gravel pits infilled with polluted waste and the potential for increased groundwater flow because of dam impoundment.…”

Section: Historic Human Impacts On Modern Environmental Processes Andmentioning

confidence: 99%