Interpretation of Landscape Values, Typology and Quality Using Methods of Spatial Metrics for Ecological Planning

1. Introduction. This research focuses on landscapes studies with selected research area located in central Slovakia, Sitno area. The research purpose is to perform spatial analysis of the landscapes and patches within the landscapes, in order to assess, which parts of the selected study area have the highest environmental quality and value, for further environmental monitoring and management. This paper presents quantitative ecological assessment of the landscapes within the natural protected area located in Slovakia, central Europe. It contributes to the sustainable development and environmental management of the environmentally protected zones.

2. Methodology In this research we performed spatial analysis of Sitno landscapes using methods of landscapes metrics calculation and quantification. This include measurements of landscape elements, assessment of ecological significance, zoning of area into areas of ecological significance with different value levels. Methodologically, the landscape metrics assessment included calculations of

• Number of Patches (NP),
• Patch's density (PD),
• Mean patch size (MPS),
• Patch's size standard deviation (PSSD) and
• Mean shape index (MSI).

3. Techniques The output of this interpretation is defined by the stepwise levels of ecological values:

1. very significant
2. significant
3. moderately significant
4. almost insignificant
5. insignificant.

3. Results. The main result of this work consists in determined ecological significant areas of habitats that are under protection ́s system of Natura 2000 Sites. The patches quantification of habitats is the partial result that influences process of determination of ecological significance. The interpretative process examines land cover patches by the set of landscape metrics for the area, size, density and shape (NP, PD, MPS, PSSD and MSI). The output values could express a spatial processes in the landscape, such as perforation, dissection, fragmentation, shrinkage or attrition.

The final ecological significance of the study area – Sitno Natura 2000 site - is at degree 3, what means that the area is represented by moderately significant land cover patches – habitats. It indicates the same value as the one at the initial level. According to the value of the ecological significance, the study area has been diversified into three zones, where each one indicates specific level of conservation. The zones and the final degree of the ecological significance of habitats are retroactively compared to historical and cultural human development that started in this area as early as in 1st century BC.

The final results are presented as calculated numerical values which are assigned for each land cover patch within the landscape. The interpretation of these quantified data allows to define ecological value and quality of the landscapes. The ecological value, or significance, of the landscape elements is represented by the numerical values which indicate quality of the complex ecological processes within the landscape.

4. Conclusion. The main result of this work is determined ecological significance of Sitno Natura 2000 Site. The ecological significance of landscape elements represents numerical values (degrees), which interpret quality of the ongoing ecological process in landscape. The zoning of the protected area is done according to the degrees of the ecological significance. This process objectively divides study area into different zones with separately regime for nature conservation and landscape usage. It is characterized as a process based on the objective and ecological approach that respects human sustainable development.