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Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes

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A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Landscape Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 December 2020) | Viewed by 51943

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. John E. Quinn

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Guest Editor

Biology Department, Furman University, Greenville, SC 29613, USA
Interests: conservation biology; managed ecosystems; soundscape ecology; agroecosystems; ecosystem services modeling; ecosystem value

Dr. Daniel Hanks

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Guest Editor

Forestry and Environmental Conservation Department, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
Interests: conservation biology; landscape scale conservation; aquatic ecology

Dr. Karen Allen

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Guest Editor

Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, South Carolina, SC 29613, USA
Interests: social-ecological systems; ecological economics; conservation policy; conservation values

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Given the global and regional rates of biodiversity loss and the related processes of land use and land cover change, researchers and practitioners must explore both localized case studies and broader, more generalizable patterns to effectively leverage the best practices to reverse these trends. Thus, for this Special Issue of Land, we are seeking the submission of manuscripts that link landscape-scale conservation with relevant governance structures, approaches, and strategies to address the challenge of reconciling context-dependent relational values with global conservation imperatives (e.g., Table 2, Allen et al., 2019). In particular, we are seeking papers that consider the ways that governance, policy, and values interact and promote multifunctional landscapes that foster social-ecological integrity, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation.

In this thematic Special Issue, landscape conservation provides an interesting spatial extent for observing generalizable ecological terrestrial and aquatic processes while still providing the granularity to understand the local context. The diversity of human value systems that shape policy and governance structures, combined with the call to understand these value systems as relational, and context-dependent (IBPES), necessitates the understanding of research done at a landscape scale. The understanding and promotion of a spectrum of relational values may provide additional policy alternatives that result in an increased ability to meet conservation goals locally, regionally, and globally.

For this Special Issue, we invite papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:

Landscape-scale governance to link terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity conservation initiatives;
Relational values and landscape conservation;
Processes for decision making in landscape conservation;
Evaluation of policy outcomes and impacts on landscape conservation;
Metrics for understanding multifunctional landscapes;
Nature’s contributions to people at landscape scales.

[1] Allen, K. Quinn, C., English, C., and Quinn J.E. 2018. Relational values in agroecosystem governance. Curr. Opin. Environ. Sust. 2018, 35, 108–115, doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2018.10.026

Guest Editors

Dr. John E. Quinn
Dr. Daniel Hanks
Dr. Karen Allen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

landscape conservation
conservation policy
relational values
IPBES
interdisciplinary
multifunctional landscapes
conservation evidence
coupled human–natural systems

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

6 pages, 598 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes

by John E. Quinn and Karen E. Allen

Land 2021, 10(5), 478; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10050478 - 2 May 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2537

Abstract

Landscape-scale conservation provides a suitable spatial extent for identifying impactful ecological and social processes while providing the necessary granularity to understand local context [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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Research

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20 pages, 5342 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying the Landscape’s Ecological Benefits—An Analysis of the Effect of Land Cover Change on Ecosystem Services

by J. Carl Ureta, Lucas Clay, Marzieh Motallebi and Joan Ureta

Land 2021, 10(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10010021 - 29 Dec 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4677

Abstract

The increasing pressure from land cover change exacerbates the negative effect on ecosystems and ecosystem services (ES). One approach to inform holistic and sustainable management is to quantify the ES provided by the landscape. Using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, this study quantified the sediment retention capacity and water yield potential of different land cover in the Santee River Basin Network in South Carolina, USA. Results showed that vegetated areas provided the highest sediment retention capacity and lowest water yield potential. Also, the simulations demonstrated that keeping the offseason crop areas vegetated by planting cover crops improves the monthly ES provision of the landscape. Retaining the soil within the land area prevents possible contamination and siltation of rivers and streams. On the other hand, low water yield potential translates to low occurrence of surface runoff, which indicates better soil erosion control, regulated soil nutrient absorption and gradual infiltration. The results of this study can be used for landscape sustainability management to assess the possible tradeoffs between ecological conservation and economic development. Furthermore, the generated map of ES can be used to pinpoint the areas where ES are best provided within the landscape. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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17 pages, 1400 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Spatiotemporal Evolution and Trend Prediction of Ecological Wellbeing Performance in China

by Lan Yao, Zhenning Yu, Mengya Wu, Jiachen Ning and Tiangui Lv

Land 2021, 10(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/land10010012 - 25 Dec 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 2796

Abstract

Humans currently face a problematic ecological dilemma regarding economic growth. It is difficult to meet human needs by only studying economic growth created by artificial costs, and all countries need to pay attention to the task of improving the level of human welfare under the constraints of an ecological environment from the perspective of sustainable development. The focus of ecological wellbeing performance (EWP) is how to achieve the maximum welfare level output or achieve higher welfare level improvement with the fewest conversions of natural and ecological inputs. In this paper, we use the super-efficiency SBM model to measure the EWP of Chinese provinces and cities, traditional and spatial Markov probability transfer matrices are established based on time series analysis and spatial correlation analysis of the global Moran’s index, and the characteristics of the spatiotemporal variations of EWP are analyzed by comparing the matrices. The evolution trend for a certain future period is predicted, and the influences of geographical spatial patterns on the spatiotemporal evolution of EWP are discussed. On this basis, according to the calculation and analysis of the characteristics of China’s EWP, provinces and cities in China need to focus on improving their own resource utilization efficiency and strengthen environmental supervision to improve EWP. Finally, policy recommendations are put forward. First, special laws and regulations need to be introduced for resource utilization and ecological protection. The second recommendation is to promote and improve the mechanism of public participation in the rational utilization of resources and protection of the ecological environment. The third recommendation is to establish a dynamic monitoring system for resource utilization and ecological environmental protection. The fourth recommendation is to strengthen structural adjustment and accomplish high-quality economic development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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26 pages, 9175 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contribution of Local Management to Biodiversity Conservation: An Analysis of Specific Cases in the Region of Madrid (Spain)

by Pedro Molina-Holgado, Nieves López-Estébanez, Ana-Belén Berrocal-Menárguez, Fernando Allende-Álvarez and Miguel del Corro-Toro

Land 2020, 9(11), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9110462 - 19 Nov 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3790

Abstract

In line with the Urban Agenda for the EU, this article highlights the importance of local actions in the conservation of biodiversity, both through specific activities and by increasing the availability of information. As such, the policies and projects related to the conservation of biodiversity have been analyzed here at different levels and, in particular, the initiatives undertaken in the Madrid Region, Spain. Consequently, two cases are presented that demonstrate the role that local administrations can play in improving the biodiversity database, and hence, in the effective protection of areas of significant environmental value. First, we will examine the effects that creating an environmental inventory of vegetation, flora and landscape has had in Torrelodones. Second, among the more recent environmental policies implemented in the municipality of Madrid are those that resulted in the environmental recovery of the urban section of the Manzanares River. Both these actions demonstrate how local authorities can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at relatively low expense and in line with EU guidelines. Notably, this occurred despite the fact that competences in environmental matters in Spain are not municipal. In this context, the paper reflects on the untapped potential of the General Urban Planning Plans (PGOU) in deep knowledge and sustainable and responsible management of municipal environmental values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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29 pages, 2218 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

A Transparent and Intuitive Modeling Framework and Software for Efficient Land Allocation

by John A. Gallo, Gregory H. Aplet, Randal Greene, Janice L. Thomson and Amanda T. Lombard

Land 2020, 9(11), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9110444 - 14 Nov 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4234

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to better conserve biodiversity by improving land allocation modeling software. Here we introduce a planning support framework designed to be understood by and useful to land managers, stakeholders, and other decision-makers. With understanding comes trust and engagement, which often yield better implementation of model results. To do this, we break from traditional software such as Zonation and Marxan with Zones to prototype software that instead first asks the project team and stakeholders to make a straightforward multi-criteria decision tree used for traditional site evaluation analyses. The results can be used as is or fed into an algorithm for identifying a land allocation solution that is efficient in meeting several objectives including maximizing habitat representation, connectivity, and adjacency at a set cost budget. We tested the framework in five pilot regions and share the lessons learned from each, with a detailed description and evaluation of the fifth (in the central Sierra Nevada mountains of California) where the software effectively met the multiple objectives, for multiple zones (Restoration, Innovation, and Observation Zones). The framework is sufficiently general that it can be applied to a wide range of land use planning efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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20 pages, 2729 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Local Perceptions of Ecosystem Services Across Multiple Ecosystem Types in Spain

by Marina García-Llorente, Antonio J. Castro, Cristina Quintas-Soriano, Elisa Oteros-Rozas, Irene Iniesta-Arandia, José A. González, David García del Amo, Marta Hernández-Arroyo, Izaskun Casado-Arzuaga, Ignacio Palomo, Erik Gómez-Baggethun, Miren Onaindia, Carlos Montes and Berta Martín-López

Land 2020, 9(9), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9090330 - 18 Sep 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7418

Abstract

Combining socio-cultural valuations of ecosystem services with ecological and monetary assessments is critical to informing decision making with an integrative and multi-pronged approach. This study examined differences in the perceptions of ecosystem service supply and diversity across eight major ecosystem types in Spain and scrutinized the social and ecological factors shaping these perceptions. First, we implemented 1932 face-to-face questionnaires among local inhabitants to assess perceptions of ecosystem service supply. Second, we created an ecosystem service diversity index to measure the perceived diversity of services considering agroecosystems, Mediterranean mountains, arid systems, two aquatic continental systems, coastal ecosystems and two urban ecosystems. Finally, we examined the influence of biophysical, socio-demographic and institutional factors in shaping ecosystem service perceptions. Overall, cultural services were the most widely perceived, followed by provisioning and regulating services. Provisioning services were most strongly associated with agroecosystems, mountains and coastal systems, whereas cultural services were associated with urban ecosystems and regulating services were specifically linked with agroecosystems, mountains and urban recreational areas. The highest service diversity index values corresponded to agroecosystems, mountains and wetlands. Our results also showed that socio-demographic factors, such as place of origin (urban vs. rural) and educational level, as well as institutional factors, such as management and access regimes, shaped the perception of ecosystem services. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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28 pages, 5676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Conceptual Framework to Design Green Infrastructure: Ecosystem Services as an Opportunity for Creating Shared Value in Ground Photovoltaic Systems

by Teodoro Semeraro, Roberta Aretano, Amilcare Barca, Alessandro Pomes, Cecilia Del Giudice, Elisa Gatto, Marcello Lenucci, Riccardo Buccolieri, Rohinton Emmanuel, Zhi Gao and Alessandra Scognamiglio

Land 2020, 9(8), 238; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9080238 - 22 Jul 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 11531

Abstract

This paper presents a conceptual framework that looks at photovoltaic systems in synergy with ecosystem services. The focus is to connect business success with social and ecological progress based on the operative concept of multifunctional land use. Such an approach attempts to harmonise the needs of the industrial processes of photovoltaic systems and the ecological and social needs of the landscape context. Different from the usual design of ground photovoltaic systems in farmlands or brownfields, a new framework is proposed, combining photovoltaic panels and vegetation. A case study is considered, applying the framework to existing photovoltaic systems in the Apulia region (southern Italy). The analysis shows how the framework has, among others, the major functions of increasing solar energy production, recycling wastewater, creating raw material for biofuel, as well as providing animal habitat and mitigating air temperature. The latter is preliminarily evaluated by means of modelling simulations performed with a computational fluid dynamics and microclimate model, ENVI-met. This approach opens up a new vision of the infrastructure design of photovoltaic systems which can produce new social and economic income. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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17 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Governing Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Australia: International Implications

by Allan Dale, Karen Vella, Sarah Ryan, Kathleen Broderick, Rosemary Hill, Ruth Potts and Tom Brewer

Land 2020, 9(7), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9070234 - 20 Jul 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4758

Abstract

Community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) has grown in stature as a key component of many national natural resource and rural development governance systems. Despite their growth, the integrity of CBNRM governance systems has rarely been analysed in a national context. To enhance dialogue about how best to design and deploy such systems nationally, this paper analyses the Australian system in detail. The Australian system was selected because the nation has a globally recognised and strong history of CBNRM approaches. We first contextualise the international emergence of national CBRM governance systems before analysing the Australian system. We find that a theoretically informed approach recognising regions as the anchors in brokering multi-scale CBNRM was applied between 2000 and 2007. Subsequent policy, while strengthening indigenous roles, has tended to weaken regional brokering, Commonwealth–state cooperation and research collaboration. Our findings and consequent emerging lessons can inform Australian policy makers and other nations looking to establish (or to reform existing) CBNRM governance systems. Equally, the research approach taken represents the application of an emerging new theoretical framework for analysing complex governance systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

Review

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30 pages, 457 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Measuring Multifunctional Agricultural Landscapes

by Bingjie Song, Guy M. Robinson and Douglas K. Bardsley

Land 2020, 9(8), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/land9080260 - 3 Aug 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 8986

Abstract

Multifunctional agriculture (MFA) has attracted increased attention from academics and policymakers in recent years. Academic researchers have utilised various approaches to assess and measure the multifunctionality of agriculture and rural landscapes. This paper outlines the nature of MFA and key supporting policies, before reviewing the applied research approaches, drawing primarily from the European Union and China where specific policies on MFA have been implemented to support rural development and promote sustainable rural communities. Four distinct types of valuation of modern MFA are recognised: economic, biophysical, socio-cultural, and holistic. Following a search of both the recent and older MFA literature, evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods applications are provided using examples from a range of recent studies. The review illustrates the diversity of approaches to measure MFA. While noting that many studies operate at a landscape scale, the challenge remains that the lack of commonality in the research approaches applied means it is difficult to provide effective comparisons between studies or to compare findings. A future research agenda will need to emphasise the need for more consideration of the roles of MFA research to support decision-makers, especially policy makers, but also farmers who largely make decisions for individual farms but, if considered collectively, can transform production systems at a landscape scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Governance, Values, and Conservation Processes in Multifunctional Landscapes)

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