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S. Frank et al. 2010. A regionally adaptable approach of landscape assessment using landscape metrics
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A regionally adaptable approach of landscape assessment using
landscape metrics within the 2D cellular automaton “Pimp your
landscape”
Susanne Frank * , Christine Fürst, Carsten Lorz, Lars Koschke & Franz Makeschin
Institute for Soil Science and Site Ecology, TU Dresden, Germany
Abstract:
We propose an easily applicable and regionally adaptable approach to quantify ecological
functioning at landscape level using landscape metrics within the modified 2D cellular
automaton Pimp your landscape. In addition to a basic evaluation of land use types, a
consideration of landscape patterns is essential to evaluate ecological functions and services.
Starting point of the here presented approach is the aggregation of land use types according to
the degree of hemeroby. With regard to the concept of habitat connectivity, a cost- distanceprocedure
allows identifying functionally connected natural areas in a next step. Further
indicators to assess ecological functioning were taken into account. Intensity of land use, habitat
connectivity and habitat variety can be quantified using here presented set of metrics. We found
that the assessment of landscape structure related ecosystem services requests a combination of
landscape metrics on the one hand and scientific and normative assumptions on the other.
Keywords: landscape metrics, Pimp Your Landscape, biodiversity, habitat connectivity,
landscape fragmentation
1. Introduction
Numerous adaptation strategies concerning effects of Climate Change on agriculture and
forestry have been developed during the last decades (e.g. Rosenberg 1992; Molden 2007;
Zomer et al. 2008; Allen et al. 2010). Also, various studies on effectiveness of such measures
took place (e.g. Goria and Gambarelli 2004; Adger et al. 2007; Van den Berg and Feinstein
2009). Visualization tools that support integrated landscape planning are still rare. Therefore,
the interactive planning tool Pimp Your Landscape was developed (Fuerst et al. 2008). It allows
both, evaluation and visualization of land use scenarios. This web-based tool supports multicriteria
decision making and participatory processes in land use management at landscape level.
It enables even the inexperienced user to design a landscape by mouse click. Basic information
of land use classification is provided by the European wide available data set Corine Landcover
2000 (CLC 2000). To evaluate complex interactions between land use types (LUTs), it is
necessary to divide the landscape continuum into spatially distinct units, which can interact and
communicate. To reflect complex spatial interactions, a modified 2D cellular automaton with
Moore-neighborhood was used as development basis for Pimp Your Landscape (Fuerst et al.
2008). So far, landscape structure related aspects of landscape ecology, such as habitat
connectivity and landscape fragmentation cannot be appraised with the cellular automaton
approach. In consequence, an evaluation procedure has to be developed to take landscape
structure into account. Within Pimp Your Landscape, several ecosystem services are assessed
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 (0)35203 38-31377 - Fax: -31388
Email address: Susanne.Frank@tu-dresden.de
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.