Projects / Programmes
Definition of landscape heterogenity and landscape characteristics, significant for the preservation of biodiversity
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.05.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Landscape design |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T260 |
Technological sciences |
Physical planning |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
landscape, landscape characteristics, landscape heterogeneity, soil, biodiversity, nature conservation, agriculture
Researchers (8)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
16378 |
PhD Mojca Golobič |
Urbanism |
Head |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 2. |
24832 |
PhD Tomaž Kralj |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 3. |
29713 |
Natalija Libnik |
Control and care of the environment |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 4. |
28550 |
PhD Naja Marot |
Urbanism |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 5. |
29714 |
Lea Pačnik |
Control and care of the environment |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 6. |
25009 |
PhD Nadja Penko Seidl |
Urbanism |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 7. |
16283 |
PhD Borut Vrščaj |
Plant production |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
| 8. |
10537 |
MSc Martin Žerdin |
Control and care of the environment |
Researcher |
2014 - 2015 |
0 |
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Landscape heterogeneity is one of the most important requirements for landscape qualities and ecosystem services, one of them is also biodiversity. The interrelations between landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity have also been proved by several researches. But in spite of that, general finding cannot be simply extrapolated into knowledge about that, which are the characteristics of landscape, that are the most important from the aspect of biodiversity preservation, and what is their role within different environments. This is especially important for the environment like Slovenian, which has, because of its natural and social conditions, several special landscape characteristics. Besides that, several natural and social factors affect on the establishment and conservation of landscape heterogeneity and landscape qualities. There is a huge gap in the field of applying these findings into practice. Mechanisms for landscape conservation, management and planning need to be complemented with guidelines for the conservation of landscape characteristics, heterogeneity and biodiversity. Besides nature conservation, agriculture is a crucial sector, while it has shaped the landscape in the past and is an important factor of landscape's heterogeneity nowadays. Agricultural land use, measures and agricultural technologies, have positive and negative impacts on landscape and biodiversity.
The purpose of the project is to prepare expert groundwork, which would enable to define guidelines for the conservation of landscape characteristics, which are important for landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity conservation in Slovenia. Two steps are imprtant: (1) to define the interrelation among landscape's economic/productive role, landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity, and (2) to prepare guidelines for its preservation or enhancement.
The aims of the project are:
- to prepare an overview of good practices in the field of natural conservation landscape evaluation,
- to develop the method to determine landscape characteristics and landscape heterogeneity, which are important for biodiversity preservation,
- to test the method on a selected location and to prepare a digital map of landscape characteristics and landscape heterogeneity.
The project will use literature and overview of good practices as a starting point, followed by mapping of landscape and biodiversity for a chosen area, development of theoretical model for landscape diversity and its testing on a chosen area. Interactive approaches will be used for validation and dissemination of the results, such as interviews, workshops and symposium.
The project results will support better landscape management in the fields of nature conservation and agricultre and thus contribute to landscape and biodiversity conservation and improvement.
Significance for science
Methods for landscape heterogeneity evaluation, developed on the international level, are frequently not uniformed. Besides that, natural-geographic and social diversity and different management practices prevent simple application of these methods into Slovene practice. Despite differences in physical environment, some EU regulations dictate uniform landscape management approach throughout EU. On the other hand, methods for evaluating biodiversity are much more established and therefor directly applicable into Slovene practice. An approach, which combines both methods could be ranked among similar approaches within European and wider international context, while on the other hand, it emphasizes the uniqueness of Slovene situation within European context. The research also stresses the opportunity for harmonized cooperation between sectoral policies towards comprehensive landscape management. We believe that the method and the results are significant and could be published in international context.
Significance for the country
As a member of EU Slovenia needs to implement the EU regulations within Common agricultural policy, which are aimed towards achieving environmental and nature conservation goals. The majority of Slovene cultural landscapes are characterized with small-scale parcel and ownership structure, which makes contemporary agriculture impossible. In order to rationalize agricultural production, landscape elements, which are crucial for landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity are destroyed. Our research emphasizes the specificity of Slovene landscape within EU context. It provides a list of landscape features, which need to be considered when agricultural landscape is being (re)arranged, so that its characteristics which contribute to biodiversity would be preserved.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
