Assessment of Road-Induced Landscape Fragmentation and Implications for Landscape Planning: the case of İzmir Province
Öz
Roads are considered as a major environmental
problem and one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and landscape
fragmentation. Recent evidence suggests that whilst roads generally lead to
increasing landscape fragmentation; they also affect the structure and
functioning of landscapes through the pollution caused by the vehicles and the
acceleration of settlements around road networks. This paper explores the
relationship between the presence of roads and landscape fragmentation in the
central districts of Izmir province, using landscape metrics at class and
landscape level. CORINE land cover (CLC2012) dataset together with Urban Atlas
2012 (UA2012) were used for the delineation of land cover map with and without
roads. The analyses were performed in FRAGSTATS 4.2 and ArcGIS 10.5.1. Results
illustrated an increasingly fragmented urban landscape with respect to
increasing road existence. However, it is important to bear in mind the
possible limitations of some landscape metrics when evaluating fragmentation
caused by roads. On the other hand, the results of this study emphasise that
the number of patches (NP), area-weighted mean patch area (AREA_AM), edge
density (ED) and effective mesh size (MESH) seem to be much more robust
landscape metric when measuring landscape fragmentation. The paper concludes
with important implications and recommendations with a view to informing
landscape planning practices for creating opportunities around roads and road
networks to support biodiversity and enhance the lives of people. For example,
as a practical manner, the creation of roadside vegetation and vegetated verges
can reduce the fragmentation effect of road networks and enhance landscape
connectivity rather than its fragmentation effect. The care and regular
maintenance of these areas will also play an important role in improving
landscape quality and promoting biodiversity.
Anahtar Kelimeler
Fragmentation,Land cover,Landscape metrics,Roads,Spatial pattern
Kaynakça
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