Land-Use/Landscape Pattern Changes and Related Environmental Driving Forces in a Dong Ethnic Minority Village in Southwestern China

This paper outlines land-use/landscape pattern changes and relationships between land-use change trajectories and environmental variables in the Dong ethnic-minority village of Gaoyou in southwestern China. In the study, landscape metrics were applied to evaluate changes in land use and landscape patterns using GeoEye-1 satellite imagery for 2009/2020 and drone imagery for 2019, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to clarify the relationship between land-use change trajectories and environmental variables. The 10–30% change in land use observed across each time sequence indicated rapid development in the area, resulting in increased fragmentation and reduced aggregation. The findings showed efficient usage of land resources in Gaoyou. Accessibility to land tended to govern the characteristics of land-use change, with natural variables influencing the type of development. The results also indicated that farmers responded quickly to government subsidies promoting tea and camellia plantations, unplanned road construction was causing fragmentation, and official land-use map content differed from the authors’ observations. Accordingly, the government should make integrated long-term plans for the development of ethnic-minority villages and engage in remote-sensor monitoring of local land-use change

Changes in Water network Management since the Meiji Era and Issues Regarding Disaster Prevention at the Foot of Mt. Hira in Shiga Prefecture, Japan

In considering Eco-DRR, it is important to use resources and disaster prevention techniques that make the most of the unique ecosystems of each region. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in the water network and its management methods since the Meiji period in Minamikomatsu, Otsu City, located at the foot of Mt. Hira. Based on a literature survey of maps and documents stored in Minamikomatsu, interviews, and field surveys, a water network map was created for each period, and the changes in the management of the water network and issues related to disaster prevention were analyzed. As a result, we were able to confirm the traditional wisdom and techniques of water use and drainage by controlling water intake. On the other hand, the system of water network management has changed with the development of government, agriculture, tourism, and residential areas, and integrated management has become difficult. In addition, changes in the shape and flow of waterways and their disappearance have impeded and fragmented the flow in downstream areas, creating problems for disaster prevention. In the future, it will be important to secure and regenerate the continuity of water networks for watershed basin water control, and to establish a comprehensive water network management system

Relationships between the Use and Environment of an Unagi-nonedoko-like Green Space in Downtown Kyoto City

It is becoming necessary to consider the effective use of vacant lots that have developed due to the demolition of Kyo-machiya (traditional houses) in Kyoto. These long, narrow lots are called Unagi-no-nedoko (“beds of eel”). Their spatial characteristics might make them unsuitable as green spaces because there is the possibility of creating a dark, small, exclusive, and dangerous atmosphere. Thus, we investigated the influence of the environment of an Unagi–no-nedoko-like green space on user awareness and behavior. The results found that the inner area of the green space was as quiet as an indoor room and was recognized as a “relaxing” environment, which caused users to stay longer. Moreover, users found the whole area “large” and “open.” These findings demonstrate that the spatial characteristics of Unagi-no-nedoko do not necessarily make them uncomfortable as green spaces, and it is possible to use such lots as green spaces in downtown Kyoto

Characterizing the Historical Changes in Land Use and Landscape Spatial Pattern on the Oguraike Floodplain after the Meiji Period

Research on change in land use and landscape pattern is the foundation for studies exploring natural and cultural landscape of a region. This study used GIS software and utilized topographic maps to examine the changes that occurred in the Oguraike floodplain, during the time points of 1888, 1909, 1961, and 2002. The Oguraike floodplain, which was dominated by the landscape of Oguraike Pond and paddy fields in 1888, was dominated by the landscape of urban areas and paddy fields in 2002. Moreover, urban areas, cropland, paddy fields, and grasslands have become concentrated into larger patches, whilst the water bodies have become more fragmented. Overall, there has been a reduction in landscape diversity on the floodplain