The Relationship Between Landscape Diversity and Crops Productivity: Landscape Scale Study

Abstract

The present study evaluates the relationship between the crops productivity and ecosystem diversity. The spatial variability in ecosystem diversity was measured using the Shannon landscape diversity index and distance from biodiversity hotspots that are nature conservation areas. Three crops were selected for the study: soybeans, sunflowers and winter rye. The initial data included the average crops yields in administrative districts within 10 regions of Ukraine. It was found that the studied crops yield dynamics from the mid-90s of the previous century to the current period could be described by a sigmoid curve (log-logistic model). The parameters of the yield model are the following indicators: the minimum level of yield (Lower Limit); maximum level of productivity (Upper limit); the slope of the model, which shows the rate of change in yields over time; ED50 - the time required to achieve half, from the maximum yield level. Our studies have shown that there is a statistically significant regression relationship between the yield parameters of all the studied crops and biodiversity, even at the landscape level. Among the studied crops, soybean shows the strongest regression relationship between yields and indicators of landscape diversity. Sunflower yield is the least dependent on landscape diversity. Most of the established dependencies are nonlinear, which indicates the existence of an optimal level of landscape diversity to achieve the maximum possible crop yields. Therefore, the obtained patterns can be the basis for land-use planning and management, especially while creating new natural protected areas.

Bioclimatic projection of the ecological niche of curly mallow (Malva verticillata) based on the forecast of the dynamics of the geographical range in the context of global climate change

“…The results of our modelling indicate that as a result of global climate change in the near future, the natural range of the species will lose its importance for maintaining the existence of the species, as the climatic conditions in it will become very unfavourable for M. verticillata. Our results are in line with the findings that the climate change in recent years has led to numerous changes in the distribution and abundance of species, as well as to the extinction of some species (Zymaroieva et al, 2021). Based on mid-range climate warming scenarios, 15-37% of species are projected to be "comitted to extinction" by 2050 (Thomas et al, 2004).…”

Phytoindication assessment of the effect of reconstruction on the light regime of an urban park

“…As an alternative hypothesis, we can consider the scenario of increase in the role of interspecific interactions with increase in the species diversity of the community. The diversity is a factor of community stability, and therefore independence from fluctuations in environmental conditions (Thébault & Loreau, 2005;Zymaroieva et al, 2021). The phytoindication concept is based entirely on the ecological niche theory (Hutchinson, 1965).…”

Diversity at Landscape Level to Increase Resilience. A Review

“…As a result, a diverse landscape with a variety of ecosystem elements is more resilient to ecosystem stability than a large-scale landscape that is homogeneous and uniform (Zymaroieva et al, 2021). The ecosystem elements, on the other hand, should be of a particular minimum size to allow for long-term ecosystem functioning.…”