Landscape Change and Human Environment

Aziz, Asad; Anwar, Muhammad Mushahid

doi:10.24051/eee/110396

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The overall landscape sustainability score, calculated by summing the scores across all LIs and landscape dimensions, provides a comprehensive assessment [42] that considers the impact of a «change» on the environment [43], society, its economic viability, and landscape perception [44].…”

Section: Scoring and Weightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape Indicators—An Inventive Approach for the Sustainability of Landscapes

Aad,

el Balaa,

Tanios

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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Despite the prerequisite tools of sustainability, there is an arising need to particularly assess landscape sustainability (LS). In this regard, no quantitative approach was identified, neither locally nor internationally. The main objective of this current study is to design a new set of Landscape Indicators (LIs) and a new scheme of LS assessment. Accordingly, an inventive mixed research method was adopted, including different techniques, diverse data categories, and extensive analysis. 15 potential tools were examined, and 51 indicators were prioritized based on an inventive four-dimensional approach to LS. Diverse landscape experts and local stakeholders were consulted to justify the choice of LIs. Site visits and the different aspects of international and local policies were also considered. The new identified set of LIs was applied at Tannourine Cedar Forest Nature Reserve, North Lebanon. While some LIs showed a need for further attention, transformative management was proposed to actively present the unique identity of the reserve and make it a true sustainable Lebanese landscape. Remarkably, this research led to the establishment, for the first time, of an educational tool for landscape sustainability assessment, the LSA tool, that will help decision-makers towards landscape correction, conservation, or even protection.

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Section: Scoring and Weightingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape Indicators—An Inventive Approach for the Sustainability of Landscapes

Aad,

el Balaa,

Tanios

et al. 2024

Sustainability

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“…Land cover plays a significant role in the environment and human life, determining the landscape and character of an area, the species of plants and animals inhabiting a given territory, as well as the economic 1 , 2 and touristic 3 , 4 potential of the lands. Human activity, along with the development of settlements, agriculture, and later industry, has led to transformations in the natural landscape 5 , 6 . The intensification of this intervention is also facilitated by population growth and technological advancement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permanent areas and changes in forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the North European Plain since the eighteenth century—a case study of the Kościan Plain in Poland

Medyńska-Gulij,

Szoszkiewicz,

Cybulski

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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This study investigates the intricate and enduring interplay of historical events, human activities, and natural processes shaping the landscape of North European Plain in western Poland over 230 years. Topographic maps serve as reliable historical data sources to quantify changes in forest, grassland, and wetland areas, scrutinizing their fragmentation and persistence. The primary objectives are to identify the permanent areas of the landscape and propose a universal cartographic visualization method for effectively mapping these changes. Using topographic maps and historical data, this research quantifies land cover changes, especially in forest, grassland, and wetland areas. With the help of retrogressive method we process raster historical data into vector-based information. Over time, wetlands experienced a substantial reduction, particularly in 1960–1982, attributed to both land reclamation and environmental factors. Grassland areas fluctuated, influenced by wetland and drier habitat dynamics. Fragmentation in grassland areas poses biodiversity and ecosystem health concerns, whereas forested areas showed limited fluctuations, with wetland forests nearly disappearing. These findings highlight wetland ecosystems’ sensitivity to human impacts and emphasize the need to balance conservation and sustainable development to preserve ecological integrity. This study advances landscape dynamics understanding, providing insights into historical, demographic, economic, and environmental transformations. It underscores the imperative for sustainable land management and conservation efforts to mitigate human impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity in the North European Plain.

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“…Also, a given landscape is the result of how a population uses it and perceives it [8,9]. At the same time, it is impacted by natural processes and man [10], who has shaped it over millennia by his activities. Hence, landscapes are dynamic and in continuous change [8,11,12], and develop interactively with the human societies occupying it [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing a Tool for Landscape Sustainability Assessment—Using a New Conceptual Approach in Lebanon

Aad,

Nemer

2023

Sustainability

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In the absence of a holistic view of landscape sustainability, credible data and consistent information are needed to help decision-making and support adaptive landscape management. This course of events highlights a strong need for a tool (system of standards and controls) that can be used by multiple stakeholders (such as NGOs, public authorities, cooperatives, associations, higher education institutes, etc.) to analyze the state and sustainability of landscapes, predict any impact of new projects on the landscape, and develop urban and peri-urban planning policies. However, while consolidated tools of assessment exist, they exhibit complexity in their references. Existing assessment tools also lack specificity and are primarily limited to qualitative approaches. Although large sets of indicators are available and can be adopted, it is crucial to select a new set of non-conventional indicators that provide a holistic view of the various dimensions of the landscape. This review article aims primarily to discuss relevant models and prerequisites in order to later develop landscape indicators to complement—and in many cases—replace existing agro-ecological indicators. Landscape indicators will serve as a baseline for the proposed tool, which will employ a mixed methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative indicators. Additionally, various environmental and landscape indicators are presented and compared to identify the best reference to landscape sustainability. Various fields of application for indicators-based tools and the scales on which they can be applied are also considered. In particular, Lebanese landscapes exhibit variability in characteristics and possess a unique identity with genuine natural and built landscapes. Only recently has there been an increasing interest in sustainability assessment, particularly in relation to Lebanese Landscapes. Unfortunately, there is a likely gap in the studies, planning, and policies related to these landscapes. A tool that can evaluate, protect, conserve, and propose concrete solutions for these landscapes are needed more than ever.

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Landscape Change and Human Environment

Cited by 10 publications

References 7 publications

Landscape Indicators—An Inventive Approach for the Sustainability of Landscapes

Landscape Indicators—An Inventive Approach for the Sustainability of Landscapes

Permanent areas and changes in forests, grasslands, and wetlands in the North European Plain since the eighteenth century—a case study of the Kościan Plain in Poland

Developing a Tool for Landscape Sustainability Assessment—Using a New Conceptual Approach in Lebanon

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