RETRACTED: A genetic land-cover taxonomic framework to explore evolutionary landscape anthropization in the Canary Islands

Abstract

Context Environmental and landscape anthropization is a global phenomenon that has reached almost every region of the planet due to human overpopulation and modern technological resources. Given the global extent and magnitude of the anthropization process, an interest has arisen in recent decades to estimate it quantitatively. Objectives The aim is to investigate a new system for quantifying landscape anthropization based on the estimation of kinship or similarity between land cover classes (taxonomic distance). We expect that this approach would allow for evolutionary analyses of anthropization over time. Methods A taxonomic tree of physiognomic-genetic relationships between land covers is designed based on the nature-agriculture-urbanism model. The taxonomic distances are applied to the historical Land Cover Anthropization (LCA) of the Canary Islands through a hybrid procedure that combines accurate cartographic and altimetric sources. Results The landscape anthropization was captured through the statistical and spatial aggregation of the 10x10 m resolution cells of the LCA model. In addition to the overall values for the Canary Islands, different historical patterns of anthropization were found between islands, as well as differences according to the degree of protection of natural areas and landscapes. Based on the latter, unprotected natural areas are identified and a preliminary proposal made for the extension of protected natural areas. Conclusions Taxonomic distances between land covers can be useful for measuring gradients of change and anthropization in the landscape. This applied study shows the potential of this new framework. It is a first proposal and therefore suitable for further development and refinement.