The share of land cover class and the landscape structure. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland using GIS techniques

Abstract

More and more concern on landscape is a resulting from growing conviction of researchers about it’s indicating role in regard to ecosystem functioning. Number of research that confirm influence of landscape changes on biodiversity, climate, soil productivity, human health or quantity and quality of water courses and bodies is increasing. The simplest form of landscape study is an analysis of land cover. The data of this type can be easily treated by statistic methods and illustrated on the map. However, this sort of analysis concern mostly on particular component of landscape, not on the landscape as a whole. In many cases the structure, in terms of configuration and composition of land cover classes, determines landscape functions. Additional factor, usually not taken into account, is geomorphology of study area. The landform and his origin strongly affect landscape and it’s functions. The basic purpose of this study is to present the possibility of employing statistical analysis of numerical maps to describe landscape and predict the consequences of its changes. This paper considers the issue of landscape diversity measured by the share of land cover forms and the distribution of such forms in different geomorphologic forms of the Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland. Author analyzed landscape structure of Wielkopolsko-Kujawska Lowland in 17 landscape types distinguished according to geomorphological division of Krygowski. In each geomorphological unit the share and structure of 16 land cover classes, obtained by data from CORINE Land Cover 2000 generalization, was counted. Analysis affected chosen indicators of patches area, density of their edges, shape, core zones, isolation and connectivity and was supported by Spatial Pattern Analysis Program Fragstats. Depending on the study object the change in various land cover forms entails different ecological consequences. They depend not only on the land cover type but also on its structure. The ability to predict those consequences and counteract adverse phenomena is very important. This study confirms that it is possible to draw conclusions on landscape consequences of land cover changes on the regional level only on the basis of quantitative data. It applies both to the future and the past