Data collection for assessment of the natural capital at the regional level: case study of LTSER Trnava region

•Context: The landscape provides not only a living space for all life forms, including humans, but also a spatial base and set of resources for the implementation of individual human activities. Inappropriate implementation of human activities, disrespecting the properties of the landscape's natural resources, causes the degradation of natural resources and, consequently, the human living. •Objectives: The aim of this paper is to develop new methodological procedures and algorithms for effective assessment of natural capital based on the geosystem approach. •Methods: Each territorial unit (geosystem) represents a unique combination of natural assets that create a certain potential for the development of individual activities and eco-stabilization functions. In this study, we developed a new approach and algorithms to assess the natural capital of landscapes for sustainable use. This involves selecting indicators and their functional interpretation, as well as collecting available spatial data and statistics for GIS analysis, synthesis, and modeling. •Results: The methodological procedure consists of the determination of indicators for natural capital assessment, the determination of their functional values and weighting coefficients, the determination of the suitability of the geosystem for the implementation of individual activities based on the value of natural capital, and the determination of restrictions and limiting factors. The set of data on landscape assets can be categorized into abiotic, land cover and biotic, and socio-economic indicators, which can either support human activities or limit them. Options for sustainable use of natural capital were split into two groups of potential activities: (I) natural capital for landscape planning activities and (II) specific activities or functions (e.g., natural capital for energy use, recreation, regulation services). The modeling of eco-stabilizing natural capital in Trnava LTSER pointed to low spatial ecological stability, mainly in the central part of the district. •Discussion: Discussion pointed to strength, novelty and opportunities of implementing methodological approach to natural capital assessment. •Conclusions: As an output of this methodological approach, a comprehensive digital spatial database of landscape-ecological data for the assessment of natural capital and the suitability of its use for socio-economic activities has been created in Slovakia. The database represents a set of consistent spatial information on natural capital assets and other indicators, including land cover and socio-ecological indicators. The methodological approach can be applicable to any territory on the basis of a modification

Country Perspectives on Hay-Making Landscapes as Part of the European Agricultural Heritage

This paper provides an overview of traditional hay-making structures and the related agricultural landscapes in Europe. The information was collected using a standardised questionnaire that was completed by experts from different countries. What all countries had in common was that hay production with its corresponding structures was widespread. However, the scope and importance differed among the countries today. We found differences in type and extent, in degree of awareness, and in the cultural meaning of hay-making structures. The differences were connected with built structures, as well as with other tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The distribution of the broad variety of hay-making-related structures, especially semipermanent ones, has changed throughout history, as well as the hay-making techniques, as a result of agrarian specialisation, land reclamation, and consolidation. Today, in some countries, the relevance of hay-making was mainly connected to horse keeping and landscape management (like in Germany and Hungary), while in others (like Slovakia and Slovenia), it was still predominantly used for cattle and sheep

EU CAP NETWORK - Benefits of HDLFs for on-farm adaption to climate change

The Biodiversity Strategy 2030 objectives include a target for 10% of agricultural land to incorporate landscape features or non-productive areas (European Commission, 2020). In practise and under the proposed Nature Restoration Law (Directorate-General for Environment, 2022), that is currently in the process of political negotiation, these features are divided into four groups (woody, stony, grassy, and wet features), and among others include buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedgerows, individual or groups of trees, tree rows, field margins, patches, ditches, streams, small wetlands, terraces, cairns, stonewalls, small ponds, and cultural features. Many of these features are perennial and are positioned in the agricultural landscape for longer periods. The longevity of features raises a question of their flexibility, adaptability, and long-term functionality in the scope of changing environments and climate changes. Woody features in agricultural landscapes have often been out of the interest of farmers and foresters in the past but better collaboration between the agriculture and forestry sectors is required. HDLFs are a typical example of joint knowledge and action that can mitigate climate change and provide other benefits

Modelling of climate conditions in forest vegetation zones as a support tool for forest management strategy in European beech dominated forests

The regional effects of climate change on forest ecosystems in the temperate climate zone of Europe can be modelled as shifts of forest vegetation zones in the landscape, northward and to higher elevations. This study applies a biogeographical model of climate conditions in the forest vegetation zones of the Central European landscape, in order to predict the impact of future climate change on the most widespread tree species in European deciduous forests—the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.). The biogeographical model is supported by a suite of software applications in the GIS environment. The model outputs are defined as a set of conditions - climate scenario A1B by the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) for a forecast period, for a specified geographical area and with ecological conditions appropriate for the European beech, which provide regional scenarios for predicted future climatic conditions in the context of the European beech’s environmental requirements. These predicted changes can be graphically visualized. The results of the model scenarios for regional climate change show that in the Czech Republic from 2070 onwards, optimal growing conditions for the European beech will only exist in some parts of those areas where it currently occurs naturally. Based on these results, it is highly recommended that the national strategy for sustainable forest management in the Czech Republic be partly re-evaluated. Thus, the presented biogeographical model of climate conditions in forest vegetation zones can be applied, not only to generate regional scenarios of climate change in the landscape, but also as a support tool for the development of a sustainable forest management strategy

Cap. V Planning the future of European agricultural landscapes considering their cultural value and heritage

the main aim of working group 5 was to consider cultural values and heritage in European agriculrtural landscapes. The group catalogued different european views on the cultural values of agricultural landscapes and organised these views into guidelines for people, politicians, scientists and planners