The utility of earth observation technologies in understanding impacts of land reform in the eastern region of Zimbabwe

Land tenure and land policies influence the spatial variations of land use/cover (LULC) at any given time or place. Thus, it is important to evaluate the role of land tenure policies on land cover changes. In this study, we evaluate the utility of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) images in understanding the impacts of the 2000 fast track land reform (FTLR) policy on LULC in the eastern region, Zimbabwe. Landsat images for the year 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2011 were classified using traditional image classification techniques (i.e. the maximum likelihood (ML) classifier) in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. Results indicate that forested areas drastically decreased by approx. 30% between the year 2000 and 2005 (during and after the FTLR), while croplands marginally increased by (approx. 30%) the results further showed that slight increase in bare lands (degraded lands) and disturbed lands. The observed LULC changes after FTLR were mostly induced by human activities resulting from changes in land tenure. Overall, the findings of this study underscores the importance of remotely sensed data in assessing the impact of FTLR on forest resources for purposes of informed and sustainable forest management.     

Effect of land use and land cover change on soil erosion and the spatio-temporal variation in Liupan Mountain Region, southern Ningxia, China

The Liupan Mountains are located in the southern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, that forms an important divide between landforms and biogeographic regions. The populated part of the Liupan Mountain Region has suffered tremendous ecological damage over time due to population pressure, excessive demand and inappropriate use of agricultural land resources. To present the relationship between land use/cover change and spatio-temporal variation of soil erosion, data sets of land use between the late 1980s and 2000 were obtained from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery, and spatial models were used to characterize landscape and soil erosion conditions. Also, soil erosion in response to land use and land cover change were quantified and analyzed using data from geographical information systems and remote sensing. Soil erosion by water was the dominant mode of soil loss, while soil erosion by wind was only present on a relatively small area. The degree of soil erosion was classified into five severity classes: slight, light, moderate, severe, and very severe. Soil erosion in the Liupan Mountain Region increased between the late 1980s and 2000, both in terms of acreage and severity. Moderate, severe, and very severe eroded areas accounted for 54.86% of the total land area. The lightly eroded area decreased, while the moderately eroded area increased by 368817 ha (22%) followed by severe erosion with 146552 ha (8.8%), and very severe erosion by 97067.6 ha (5.8%). Soil loss on sloping cropland increased with slope gradients. About 90% of the cropland was located on slopes less than 15°. Most of the increase in soil erosion on cropland was due to conversion of steep slopes to cropland and degradation of grassland and increased activities. Soil erosion was severe on grassland with a moderate or low grass cover and on dry land. Human activities, cultivation on steep slopes, and overgrazing of pastures were the main reasons for the increase in erosion severity.     

雷州半岛桉树人工林地的生物改良研究

研究雷州半岛桉树人工林地的生物改良途径。结果表明；桉树林下间种绿肥、牧草或菠萝，可以提高林地覆盖度，增加林地枯落物，提高土壤肥力，促进桉树的生长。筛选出比较适宜于桉树人工林下间种的植物品种，并对间种的经济效益作了初步分析。     

How dynamics and drivers of land use/land cover change impact elephant conservation and agricultural livelihood development in Rombo,Tanzania

Land use/land cover (LULC) change affects the provision of ecosystem services for humans and habitat for wildlife. Hence, it is crucial to monitor LULC particularly adjacent to protected areas. In this study, we measured LULC change in Rombo, Tanzania, an area with high-potential agro-ecological zones that is dominated by human–elephant conflicts (HECs). We used remote sensing and geographical information system techniques, questionnaires and village meetings to assess spatio-temporal patterns of the LULC changes in the study area. Using Landsat imagery, digital elevation model (DEM) and ground truthing, we classified and monitored changes in LULC from the years 1987 to 2015. We found that within Rombo, settlements were increasing, while agricultural and agroforestry lands were decreasing and respondents’ perceptions varied along the altitudinal gradient. Patterns of HEC and LULC were observed to change along the gradient and the later threatened the agricultural land and ecological integrity for elephant habitat, leading to high tension and competition between elephants and people. This research offers baseline information for land use planning to balance wildlife conservation with livelihood development in Rombo and highlights that managing the impacts of LULC changes on HEC and elephant habitat loss is a matter of urgency.     

Effects of land use on water quality of two high-altitude lakes and catchments in Yunnan Province,China

SUMMARY

Reclaiming farmland from lakes in China in the 1950s damaged the water quality of many lakes. Tremendous efforts have been made since the late 1990s to restore vegetation around the damaged lakes. This paper examines water quality of Fuxian and Qilu Lakes and land-use characteristics within the two catchments in the high-altitude area of Yunnan Province, China. Landsat TM data acquired in 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2005 were used to extract land use and land cover (LULC) information. Measurements of five water quality indices (WQIs), BOD, COD, pH, TN and TP, for the same period of time were examined. The results showed that the area of residential and forest/shrub increased, whereas that of cropland and barren land decreased from 1989 to 2005 in both catchments. Qilu Lake was much more polluted than Fuxian Lake, and pollution worsened over time for both lakes. The differences in water quality between the two lakes were caused by differences in LULC composition and continued degradation in water quality was caused by intensive farming and urban sprawl. Unless the landscape is converted back to its pre-1950 composition and structure, water quality in both lakes cannot be significantly improved and will continue to threaten sustainable development in the region.     

An assessment of coastal land-use and land-cover change from 1974–2008 in the vicinity of Mobile Bay,Alabama

The purpose of this research is to quantify and assess geospatial land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes in the coastal counties of Mobile and Baldwin, Alabama using nine Landsat images from 1974–2008. A study-specific classification scheme was devised comprising upland herbaceous, upland forest, non-woody and woody wetlands, open water, and urban categories. Upland forest was the most dominant terrestrial cover type. Wetlands averaged 17% and urban averaged 7%. A majority of the urban expansion occurred between 1974 and 1979 (26%). Thirty-four percent of the 2008 urban areas were upland forest in 1974. Watershed-scale analysis of Three Mile Creek and D’Olive Bay highlights the temporal and spatial differences of urbanization for watersheds found within the same region. This study is a Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) Application Pilot project that uses NASA data products to benefit coastal environmental managers and community members. Results have led to increased effectiveness of coastal conservation decision-making, increased understanding of post-hurricane LULC change, continued research on habitat change impacts, and contributed to timely conservation planning efforts. This study has benefited the development of watershed management plans by the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, which is especially important given projected climate change.     

Integrated remote sensing and GIS techniques for landslide hazard zonation: a case study Wadi Watier area,South Sinai,Egypt

Natural hazard analysis involves mapping and identifying future hazardous zones through the analysis of the controls influencing hazard initiation and occurrence. One of such natural hazard is the landslide. Landslides are amongst the most costly and damaging natural hazards especially in mountain regions and are triggered mainly by seismic activity and/or rainfall. The aim of the present study is to integrate Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to create thematic layers for assessment and the estimation of landslide hazard zones in and surrounding the Wadi Watier area, South Sinai, Egypt. Various factors, variables and/or parameters can be derived from thematic layers such as lithology, structural lineaments, land-cover/land-use, terrain analysis and earthquakes. Intensity risk layers were created by using ERDAS Imagine 9.2, ARC GIS 9.2 and ARC INFO 7.2.1 software. Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+7) Landsat satellite images were used to discriminate and extract structural lineaments, lithology and land-use/land-cover variables for the study area. The Digital Elevation Model (DEM) was generated from digitized topographic maps to produce terrain analysis maps such as; slope, aspect, height elevation, and 3D. The weighting score rating system based on the relative importance of various causal factors derived from RS data and other thematic layers was used for landslide hazard zonation (LHZ). Based on these data, a simple algorithm was created to classify the area into different risk zones. By overlaying all hazard layers a final landslide hazard map was produced. Using trial and error and statistical methods the weight score rating values have been readjusted. GIS integration with RS data can greatly facilitate classifying landslide hazard zones into low risk, moderate risk and high risk by using a slicing operation. Seismic data are integrated with final the LHZ to generate a LHZ scenario map for the future and to draw up an action plan of mitigation measures to avoid the damage, loss of life and socio-economic impacts in the study area.     

黑河流域土地退化分类研究

黑河流域位于我国的西北内陆干旱区。人类不合理利用水资源造成的土地退化，已成为黑河流域一个非常严重的生态问题。土地荒漠化是该流域最典型和最严重的土地退化形式。对该流域土地退化的空间分布、特点、退化面积等方面还没有较为详细的研究，因此探讨这个问题就显得非常重要。文章通过最新的遥感影像资料(2000年)，在分析已有的研究成果的基础上，结合野外调查，利用遥感和地理信息系统(GIS)技术，初步分析了黑河流域土地退化的情况。研究结果表明，黑河流域土地退化主要有5种类型，即：水土流失、干旱化、植被退化、盐渍化和沙漠化。土地退化面积达29971．91km^2，占整个流域面积的23．06％；其中，水土流失主要分布在祁连山的南部山区，面积为5747．68km^2，占整个流域土地退化面积的19．18％，主要是由于过度开垦和放牧造成的；由于人类活动的影响，造成水资源在时空上的重新分配而导致的干旱化土地主要分布在山前部分冲、洪积平原的河流沿岸附近，其面积为1369.96km^2，占整个流域土地退化面积的4．57％；盐渍化土地是该流域土地退化的主要类型之一，面积为10591．82km^2，占整个流域土地退化面积的35．34％，分布在流域的低地、冲积扇的边缘等位置，主要是由于干旱的气候条件造成的；沙化土地，包括流动沙丘(地)，是研究区土地退化面积最大的类型，为10771．97km^2，占整个流域土地退化面积的35.94％，这其中也包括历史时期形成的沙漠和现代形成的大部分沙地；植被退化土地面积为1490．48km^2，只占整个流域土地退化面积的4．97％。通过分析可知，黑河流域土地退化严重，特别是在下游地区。人类不合理的经济活动，尤其是对该流域内有限水资源的不合理利用，是导致该地区土地生态系统脆弱的主要因素。     

Land-cover change within and around protected areas in a biodiversity hotspot

The landscape surrounding protected areas influences their ability to maintain ecosystem functions and achieve conservation goals. As anthropogenic intensification continues, it is important to monitor land-use and land-cover change in and around protected areas. We measure land-cover change surrounding protected areas in the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany Biodiversity hotspot from the 1980s to present. Using Landsat imagery, we classified land cover within and around each protected area. Agricultural land uses were increasing and often directly border protected area boundaries. Human settlements increased around every protected area, potentially increasing human activity along the edges of protected areas and threatening their ecological integrity. Urban expansion around protected areas varied but increased as much as 10%. Woody vegetation cover varied both within and around protected areas with possible evidence of deforestation and shrub encroachment throughout the hotspot. We recommend monitoring land cover across southeastern Africa to better understand regional trends in land-use impacts to protected areas.     

Monitoring land use/land cover change impacts on soils in data scarce environments: a case of south-central Ethiopia

To monitor land-use/land-cover (LULC) change and assess its impact on the soil property, the availability of benchmark data is indispensable, which is hardly available in the intensively cultivated regions of developing countries. Our study attempts to solve this problem by generating a benchmark soil data through the development of modified spatial analogue (MSA) method in the context of the Upper Dijo River catchment, south-central Ethiopia. The magnitude and patterns of LULC changes were extracted from air photos and satellite imageries, along with the acquisition of soil samples from the reference and target sites through ground survey. Analysis of digital image processing shows significant LULC changes in a period that spanned three decades. The impact of LULC change on soil quality was assessed by comparing the soil physico-chemical properties sampled from the reference and target sites. The result shows a decline in total nitrogen, organic matter, available potassium and pH levels in soils collected from target sites, which conforms to results reported by studies conducted in data-rich environment. With careful validation, MSA could be useful for monitoring soil property changes in data-scarce environment and generate soil-related parameters for agro-ecological models.     

雷州半岛桉树人工林地力退化的成因与防治措施

通过对雷州半岛桉树人工林大面积土壤调查研究和多点田间试验,揭示了桉树人工林地力退化的成因,提出了可行的防治措施。其退化成因是桉树人工林生态系统本身的脆弱性、水土流失严重、人为因素对生物积累过程的干扰、桉树全树利用方式、耕垦的不适当以及林地养分收支严重失衡。其防治措施是增加桉树人工林生物多样性、回归林地调落于土壤、应用适当的采伐利用方式和采伐剩余物的处理方式。     

我国桉树人工林立地土壤问题研究概况

我国引种桉树。虽已100多年，但研究桉树人工林土壤问题，却只有50多年的历史。这方面的研究，包括桉树人工林土壤本底调查、土壤性质与林木生长的关系、桉树人工林土壤肥力衰退防治、桉树人工林土壤管理、桉树速生丰产的土壤肥力指标、桉树人工林生态系统土壤养分和水分循环等。文章对这方面研究的概况作了简要的综述。     

云南热区几种人工林土壤变化研究

在云南热区营造山桂花、西南桦、马尖相思、高阿丁枫等4种人工林,只要经营得当,对林地土壤理化性质并不造成重大影响,不会引起地力迅速衰退。4种人工林土壤变化的大致趋势是:1993~1995年肥力大多略呈下降趋势,1995~1997年有所上升。     

Integrated effects of slope aspect and land use on soil nutrients in a small catchment in a hilly loess area,China

This study addressed the integrated effect of slope aspect and land use on soil nutrients in a loess hilly catchment in the western Loess Plateau of China. Soil samples were collected from five land-use types: wasteland, cropland, woodland, shrubland and abandoned cropland, at two depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) in the middle slope position of both north-facing and south-facing slopes. Soil nutrient changes and the relationships between soil nutrients and slope aspect were investigated, based on statistical analysis and expert knowledge. Soil organic matter, total N, total P, nitrate nitrogen and available K of the 0–20 cm soil layer differed significantly between land uses and slope aspects. Soil nutrients in the north-facing slope were better than in the south-facing slope. Revegetation has an enrichment effect, especially on soil organic matter, total N, total P, nitrate nitrogen and available K. Planting of trees, shrubs and grasses could improve soil fertility and favours a policy of revegetation and sustainable land use in the hilly loess area of China. Conversion of slope farmlands into more sustainable land uses, such as shrubland or grassland is a cost-efficient way to achieve soil conservation and ecological restoration. Terracing and the use of agro-techniques for soil conservation, such as furrow-ridging tillage and leaving crop residues on fields, can increase the input of C to soils. Growing crops in rotation with alfalfa and beans could be a promising choice for the sustainability of agriculture and the environment.     

推荐管理措施情景下黄淮海地区旱地土壤固碳潜力模拟研究——以河南省获嘉县为例

农田土壤固碳不仅可以减缓气候变化,而且能够提高土壤质量。推荐管理措施,如少、免耕和秸秆还田等,具有促进农田土壤有机碳（SOC）增加的巨大潜力。旱地占中国农田面积的70%以上,在固定大气CO2方面可以发挥重要作用。本研究基于黄淮海地区的一个旱地土壤肥力长期监测点数据并运用Century模型模拟了监测期间（1998～2007）土壤有机碳动态变化。在此基础上,设计了1种基础管理措施情景和4种推荐管理措施情景并模拟了它们未来20年的固碳潜力。模拟结果表明,监测期间监测点土壤有机碳密度增加2.72 Mg.hm-2,年均增加0.27 Mg.hm-2。土壤有机碳的增加主要是因为氮肥施用量的增加。模型验证结果表明,Century模型很好地模拟了监测点土壤有机碳的动态变化。各推荐管理措施均具有较大的固碳潜力,其中50%秸秆还田是比少、免耕更有效的固碳措施,而少耕＋50%秸秆还田的固碳潜力最大。因此,在黄淮海地区旱地推广实施推荐管理措施是促进农田土壤固碳的有效策略,有助于减缓大气CO2浓度升高和保障国家粮食安全。     

Satellite detection of bird communities in tropical countryside.

The future of biodiversity hinges partly on realizing the potentially high conservation value of human-dominated countryside. The characteristics of the countryside that promote biodiversity preservation remain poorly understood, however, particularly at the fine scales at which individual farmers tend to make land use decisions. To address this problem, we explored the use of a rapid remote sensing method for estimating bird community composition in tropical countryside, using a two-step process. First, we asked how fine-grained variation in land cover affected community composition. Second, we determined whether the observed changes in community composition correlated with three easily accessible remote sensing metrics (wetness, greenness, and brightness), derived from performing a tasseled-cap transformation on a Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus image. As a comparison, we also examined whether the most commonly used remote sensing indicator in ecology, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), correlated with community composition. We worked within an agricultural landscape in southern Costa Rica, where the land comprised a complex and highly heterogeneous mosaic of remnant native vegetation, pasture, coffee cultivation, and other crops. In this region, we selected 12 study sites (each < 60 ha) that encompassed the range of available land cover possibilities in the countryside. Within each site, we surveyed bird communities within all major land cover types, and we conducted detailed field mapping of land cover. We found that the number of forest-affiliated species increased with forest cover and decreased with residential area across sites. Conversely, the number of agriculture-affiliated species using forest increased with land area devoted to agricultural and residential uses. Interestingly, we found that the wetness and brightness metrics predicted the number of forest- and agriculture-affiliated species within a site as well as did detailed field-generated maps of land cover. In contrast, NDVI and the closely correlated greenness metric did not correlate with land cover or with bird communities. Our study shows the strong potential of the tasseled-cap transformation as a tool for assessing the conservation value of countryside for biodiversity.     

三江源区不同建植年代人工草地群落演替与土壤养分变化

研究了了三源区不同建植期人工修复草地在不同演替阶段毒杂草[主要是甘肃马先蒿(Pedicularis kansuensis)]的入侵规律、数量特征,植物群落物种组成、生物苗和草地质最以及土壤养分、微生物活性的变化规律.结果表明,不同建植期人工修复草地植物群落的种类组成、植物功能群组成和群落数量特征存在显著差异.随着演替时间的推移,人工草地群落盖度、高度、物种数、生物最和多样性指数均表现出"V"字型变化规律,杂类草--甘肃马先蒿的数量特征变化尤为明显,在4 a的人工草地群落中开始局部入侵,在5～6 a的人工草地群落中大面积入侵,其入侵速度、入侵面积达到高峰期.土壤的含水量、容重、土壤中有机质、氮素和磷素在演替过程(7 a、9 a草地)中逐渐降低,到一定时期又逐步增加;随着演替的进行,不同建植期人工草地的土壤微牛物生物量碳和酶活性均呈"V"字型,变化.对于退化生态系统的恢复首先是植被恢复,其次是土壤肥力的恢复.土壤有机质等养分的积累、微生物活性的改善不仅能使土壤-植物复合系统的功能得以恢复,同时也能促进物种多样性的形成,有利于人工草地群落稳定性的提高.在试验区尽管植被恢复演替进行得比较缓慢,但从土壤发展的角度看,仍属进展演替.所以,在退化高寒草甸的恢复过程中,若降低和有效控制外界的干扰(如围栏封育),可为退化草地恢复提供繁殖体与土壤环境,实现人工草地逐步向恢复(正向)演替进行.图3表6参34     

农牧交错带开垦年限对土壤理化特性的影响

为研究农牧交错带天然草地转变为农田后,开垦年限对土壤理化特性的影响,按照邻近样地的取样原则,于2007年10月选择位于内蒙古东部农牧交错带太仆寺旗的天然草地和邻近的6个不同开垦年限的农田样地(垦殖年限为5、10、15、20、35、50 a)作为研究对象分析其土壤理化性状.结果表明:在0～30 cm土层中,天然草地转变为农田后,开垦年限对土壤养分含量和物理性状均有显著影响.土壤的有机碳含量、全氮含量、速效钾含量均随农田开垦年限的延长而降低.草地土壤的养分含量最高.与天然草地相比,0～10 cm土层,有机碳含量分别下降36%、47%、43%、57%、68%、68%;速效钾含量分别下降33%、55%、39%、65%、60%、40%.开垦年限对土壤物理性状也有明显影响,草地土壤的粘粒含量最高,砂粒含量最低;开垦年限越长的农田,土壤砂粒含量越高,粘粒含量越低;农田土壤的容重显著高于草地,随农田开垦年限的延长,土壤容重增加;而土壤pH值显示降低趋势.研究表明在研究区域天然草地具有较好的土壤养分保持能力,开垦年限越长越易导致土壤养分的缺乏和土壤的酸化和沙化,影响整个农牧交错带生态系统的稳定性和持续性.     

Economic-based projections of future land use in the conterminous United States under alternative policy scenarios

Land-use change significantly contributes to biodiversity loss, invasive species spread, changes in biogeochemical cycles, and the loss of ecosystem services. Planning for a sustainable future requires a thorough understanding of expected land use at the fine spatial scales relevant for modeling many ecological processes and at dimensions appropriate for regional or national-level policy making. Our goal was to construct and parameterize an econometric model of land-use change to project future land use to the year 2051 at a fine spatial scale across the conterminous United States under several alternative land-use policy scenarios. We parameterized the econometric model of land-use change with the National Resource Inventory (NRI) 1992 and 1997 land-use data for 844 000 sample points. Land-use transitions were estimated for five land-use classes (cropland, pasture, range, forest, and urban). We predicted land-use change under four scenarios: business-as-usual, afforestation, removal of agricultural subsidies, and increased urban rents. Our results for the business-as-usual scenario showed widespread changes in land use, affecting 36% of the land area of the conterminous United States, with large increases in urban land (79%) and forest (7%), and declines in cropland (-16%) and pasture (-13%). Areas with particularly high rates of land-use change included the larger Chicago area, parts of the Pacific Northwest, and the Central Valley of California. However, while land-use change was substantial, differences in results among the four scenarios were relatively minor. The only scenario that was markedly different was the afforestation scenario, which resulted in an increase of forest area that was twice as high as the business-as-usual scenario. Land-use policies can affect trends, but only so much. The basic economic and demographic factors shaping land-use changes in the United States are powerful, and even fairly dramatic policy changes, showed only moderate deviations from the business-as-usual scenario. Given the magnitude of predicted land-use change, any attempts to identify a sustainable future or to predict the effects of climate change will have to take likely land-use changes into account. Econometric models that can simulate land-use change for broad areas with fine resolution are necessary to predict trends in ecosystem service provision and biodiversity persistence.     

基于多维特征优选支持向量机算法的城市土地利用变化遥感监测

随着遥感影像时、空、谱、辐分辨率和数据处理能力的提升,综合多维影像特征已成为提高土地利用分类精度的关键.目前并非所有特征均有助于分类,且传统分类仍拘泥于单一特征,因此,急需有效的特征优化选择方法.基于光谱指数、穗帽变换、最小噪声分离、高斯滤波、灰度共生矩阵等变换提取了Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI影像的31维特...