Assessing landscape structure and pattern fragmentation in semiarid ecosystems using patch-size distributions

Spatial vegetation patterns are recognized as sources of valuable information that can be used to infer the state and functionality of semiarid ecosystems, particularly in the context of both climate and land use change. Recent studies have suggested that the patch‐size distribution of vegetation in drylands can be described using power‐law metrics, and that these scale‐free distributions deviate from power‐law linearity with characteristic scale lengths under the effects of increasing aridity or human disturbance, providing an early sign of desertification. These findings have been questioned by several modeling approaches, which have identified the presence of characteristic scale lengths on the patch‐size distribution of semiarid periodic landscapes. We analyze the relationship between fragmentation of vegetation patterns and their patch‐size distributions in semiarid landscapes showing different degree of periodicity (i.e., banding). Our assessment is based on the study of vegetation patterns derived from remote sensing in a series of semiarid Australian Mulga shrublands subjected to different disturbance levels. We use the patch‐size probability density and cumulative probability distribution functions from both nondirectional and downslope analyses of the vegetation patterns. Our results indicate that the shape of the patch‐size distribution of vegetation changes with the methodology of analysis applied and specific landscape traits, breaking the universal applicability of the power‐law metrics. Characteristic scale lengths are detected in (quasi) periodic banded ecosystems when the methodology of analysis accounts for critical landscape anisotropies, using downslope transects in the direction of flow paths. In addition, a common signal of fragmentation is observed: the largest vegetation patches become increasingly less abundant under the effects of disturbance. This effect also explains deviations from power‐law behavior in disturbed vegetation which originally showed scale‐free patterns. Overall, our results emphasize the complexity of structure assessment in dryland ecosystems, while recognizing the usefulness of the patch‐size distribution of vegetation for monitoring semiarid ecosystems, especially through the cumulative probability distributions, which showed high sensitivity to fragmentation of the vegetation patterns. We suggest that preserving large vegetation patches is a critical task for the maintenance of the ecosystem structure and functionality

Structural and functional control of surface-patch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in Mediterranean dry reclaimed slope systems

Connectivity has emerged as a useful concept for exploring the movement of water and sediments between landscape locations and across spatial scales. In this study, we examine the structural and functional controls of surfacepatch to hillslope runoff and sediment connectivity in three Mediterranean dry reclaimed mining slope systems that have different long-term development levels of vegetation and rill networks. Structural connectivity was assessed using flow path analysis of coupled vegetation distribution and surface topography, providing field indicators of the extent to which surface patches that facilitate runoff and sediment production are physically linked to one another in the studied hillslopes. Functional connectivity was calculated using the ratio of patch-scale to hillslope-scale observations of runoff and sediment yield for 21 monitored hydrologically active rainfall events. The impact of the dynamic interactions between rainfall conditions and structural connectivity on functional connectivity were further analysed using general linear models with a backward model structure selection approach. Functional runoff connectivity during precipitation events was found to be dynamically controlled by antecedent precipitation conditions and rainfall intensity and strongly modulated by the structural connectivity of the slopes. On slopes without rills, both runoff and sediments for all events were largely redistributed within the analysed hillslopes, resulting in low functional connectivity. Sediment connectivity increased with rainfall intensity, particularly in the presence of rill networks where active incision under high-intensity storm conditions led to large non-linear increases in sediment yield from the surface-patch to the hillslope scales. Overall, our results demonstrate the usefulness of applying structuraland functional-connectivity metrics for practical applications and for assessing the complex links and controlling factors that regulate the transference of both surface water and sediments across different landscape scales

Soil-derived Nature's Contributions to People and their contribution to the un Sustainable Development Goals

This special issue provides an assessment of the contribution of soils to Nature's Contributions to People (NCP). Here, we combine this assessment and previously published relationships between NCP and delivery on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to infer contributions of soils to the SDGs. We show that in addition to contributing positively to the delivery of all NCP, soils also have a role in underpinning all SDGs. While highlighting the great potential of soils to contribute to sustainable development, it is recognized that poorly managed, degraded or polluted soils may contribute negatively to both NCP and SDGs. The positive contribution, however, cannot be taken for granted, and soils must be managed carefully to keep them healthy and capable of playing this vital role. A priority for soil management must include: (i) for healthy soils in natural ecosystems, protect them from conversion and degradation; (ii) for managed soils, manage in a way to protect and enhance soil biodiversity, health and sustainability and to prevent degradation; and (iii) for degraded soils, restore to full soil health. We have enough knowledge now to move forward with the implementation of best management practices to maintain and improve soil health. This analysis shows that this is not just desirable, it is essential if we are to meet the SDG targets by 2030 and achieve sustainable development more broadly in the decades to come. This article is part of the theme issue 'The role of soils in delivering Nature's Contributions to People'. © 2021 The Author(s)