Land cover along hiking trails in a nature tourism destination: the Azores as a case study

Pavão, Diogo C.; Porteiro, João; Ventura, Maria A.; Silva, Lurdes Borges; Medeiros, Ana Beatriz de Almeida; Moniz, Ana Isabel Damião de Serpa Arruda; Moura, Mónica; Moreira, Francisco

doi:10.1007/s10668-021-01356-6

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…Forests also play an important role as recreation areas for the local population through the network of recreational forest areas [168], but also though the extensive network of hiking trails which crosses different forest types and is an important tourism resource [169].…”

Section: Carbon Stock In Leaf Littermentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

Silva¹,

Pavão²,

Elias³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Assessment of forest ecosystems and their services is seen as a key action for the advancement of biodiversity objectives, and to inform the development and implementation of related policies and planning. We assessed biodiversity, structure and carbon stocks in a gradient of three forest types (Natural Forest-NF; Exotic Woodland-EW and Production Forest-PF) in three of the Azores islands. We used biodiversity indices and found that NF harbored the highest plant biodiversity levels and PF the lowest. Diversity levels were lower for structural than for taxonomic data, particularly for PF. The highest tree carbon stock was found at EW in one of the islands, while PF consistently exhibited relatively high tree carbon stocks in the three islands. The largest soil carbon stocks were found at EW, while leaf litter carbon stocks were higher at PF. We concluded that NF play a fundamental role as biodiversity hotspots but have lower relevance as carbon stocks. PFs provide economic assets and act as carbon sinks, while EWs play a major role as carbon sinks in soil, but also at tree level in the oldest forests. A full quantification of forest value would also include ecosystem services such as water protection, recreation and aesthetic value.

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Section: Carbon Stock In Leaf Littermentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

Silva¹,

Pavão²,

Elias³

et al. 2021

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Naturalness is one of the dimensions of human perception of the environment [36]. In addition, naturalness is a subjective concept with aesthetic and biophysical dimensions [36,37]. However, it can be quantified through scientific assessment, for example, based on the number of native versus non-native species in a forest [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, naturalness is a subjective concept with aesthetic and biophysical dimensions [36,37]. However, it can be quantified through scientific assessment, for example, based on the number of native versus non-native species in a forest [37]. In outdoor recreation, naturalness relates to protected nature, nature-based recreational experiences, or wildlife [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This method is in line with those applied by hiking federations, such as the European Rambler's Association that issues trail quality seals, such as the "Leading Quality Trails-Best of Europe", and that, to certify them, relies on the quality seal acquisition guide proposed by the "Deutsche Wanderverband Service". The collection and evaluation of these factors have traditionally been based on fieldwork, relying mainly on observation and perception, but in recent decades, these methods have been supplanted by geographic information systems (GIS) [37,[42][43][44][45].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Calculating and Mapping the Naturalness of Peri-Urban Greenways

Callau

Albert

Martínez

2023

Forests

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Peri-urban forests often have extensive greenway networks that allow for outdoor recreation. However, information associated with these greenways often does not include their degree of naturalness, which is usually reduced to descriptions of the flora and fauna and often overlooks the factors that reduce naturalness. Therefore, in some cases, the naturalness of these greenways is lower than expected. Quantifying their naturalness would be helpful, especially for hikers interested in appreciating and enjoying nature. Additionally, this information would help outdoor recreation managers to design trails or decide which ones to promote as “greenways”. The objectives of this study are (1) to design a method to calculate and map the naturalness of greenways using two approaches, one based on perceptual fieldwork and the other on geographic information systems (GIS); (2) to apply the designed method to a specific greenway; and (3) to compare both methodological approaches. The results show that, for the greenway studied, the naturalness scores obtained are low in all three types of analyses used. Around 70% of the greenway sections in the GIS visibility analysis and 80% in the GIS proximity analysis have a low naturalness index. In comparison, this value is reduced to 40% with the fieldwork analysis. Although the results of the GIS approach (proximity and visibility) generate naturalness indices and spatial patterns that are very similar, they differ significantly from those derived from the fieldwork analysis. The discussion of the results suggests that the three methodologies used are valid for analyzing the degree of naturalness of the trails. However, if used together, it could add flexibility to the type of variables incorporated in the analysis.

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“…Moreover, this also contributes to avoid soil erosion 43 , 44 due to torrential discharges and earthquakes, which are common in the Archipelago throughout the year 45 . Forests also play an important role in recreation areas for the local population through the network of recreational forest areas 46 , but also through the extensive network of hiking trails which crosses different forest types being an important tourism resource 47 . Moreover, the production forest dedicated to C. japonica is presently responsible for 1400 jobs, and for a revenue of 12 million euros annually 48 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

Silva

Pavão

Elias

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Assessment of forest ecosystems and their services is seen as a key action for the advancement of biodiversity objectives, and to inform the development and implementation of related policies and planning. The Azorean forest is important for timber production, the protection of soil and water resources, and for its recreational and aesthetic value. However, its role in carbon accumulation has not been fully addressed. We assessed plant diversity, forest structure and carbon stocks in a gradient of three forest types (Natural Forest-NF; Exotic Woodland-EW and Production Forest-PF) in three of the Azores islands. We used biodiversity indices and found that NF harbored the highest plant diversity levels and PF the lowest. Diversity levels were lower for structural than for taxonomic data, particularly for PF. The highest tree carbon stock was found at EW in one of the islands, while PF consistently exhibited relatively high tree carbon stocks in the three islands. The largest soil carbon stocks were found at EW, while leaf litter carbon stocks were higher at PF. We concluded that NF play a fundamental role as plant diversity hotspots but have lower relevance as carbon stocks what might be associated with montane environmental conditions. PFs provide economic assets and act as carbon sinks, while EWs play a major role as carbon sinks in soil, but also at tree level in the oldest forests.

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Land cover along hiking trails in a nature tourism destination: the Azores as a case study

Cited by 9 publications

References 87 publications

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

Calculating and Mapping the Naturalness of Peri-Urban Greenways

Taxonomic, structural diversity and carbon stocks in a gradient of island forests

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