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E.R. Diaz-Varela et al. 2010. Multiscale analysis of land use heterogeneity and dissimilarity
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Multiscale analysis of land use heterogeneity and dissimilarity as a
support for planning strategies
Emilio R. Diaz-Varela 1* , Carlos J. Alvarez-López, Manuel F. Marey-Pérez & Pedro
Álvarez-Álvarez 2
1
University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2
University of Oviedo, Spain
Abstract
The analysis of landscape structure is commonly oriented to the comprehension of
pattern:process relationships and the evolution of such across spatial and temporal scales.
Nevertheless, an important – and often neglected – aspect of landscape analysis is its potential
to use the derived information as a support for planning, design and decision making in
landscape management processes. The results of quantitative analysis of the spatial variation of
landscape’s composition and configuration across scales can help to identify areas distinctive
regarding their heterogeneity, thus indicating different needs for spatial planning.
In this work, a methodology is explored for the analysis of forest landscape pattern oriented to
planning applications. In it, a series of sequential steps are taken in order to guide analysis into a
diagnosis useful for decision making. It starts by defining heterogeneity areas at different scales
by means of multiscale approach. It is expected that such an approach, based in a “multi-level”
structural analysis, would be useful for the spatial design of planning strategies.
Keywords: multiscale analysis, landscape metrics, land use heterogeneity, dissimilarity,
landscape ecological planning
1. Introduction
The analysis of the spatial arrangement of landscapes is generally adopted as a major tool for
the comprehension of processes and dynamics of the landscapes, and the relationship among
their constitutive elements. Beyond the utility of pattern analysis for the understanding of
landscapes, it can constitute a strong support of landscape planning strategies. In this work, the
utility of two different landscape indices to analyse heterogeneity in order to derive conclusions
for spatial planning is explored. To do so, simulated landscapes are used to test the behaviour of
the indices at multiple scales, and ideas of their application to real planning cases are derived.
2. Methodology
2.1. Artificial landscapes
Artificial landscapes were generated using Simmap software (Saura, 2003), based on the
Modified Random Clusters Method (MRC) (Saura and Martínez-Millán, 2000). This method
generates more realistic landscapes than other neutral model software (Saura and Martínez-
Millán, 2000), due to the patchy, irregular shape of the results, which made it adequate to
simulate land use planning scenarios. The programme allows to control the degree of patchiness
by the variation in the generation parameters p, n, Ai, and both the Minimum Mapping Unit and
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 982 285 900 ext. 23629 - Fax: +34 982 285 926
Email address: emilio.diaz@usc.es
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.