Prescribed fire is commonly used to manage white-tailed deer habitat. However, nutrition is still limited during the summer for deer in the Southeast and prescribed fire is commonly restricted to the dormant season. Knowledge of fire phenology effects on summer nutrient availability is relatively unknown. Stump sprouts may also affect available nutrition, which could be important when managing for summer nutrition. To address this summer nutritional stress period, I examined impacts prescribed fire phenology and mechanical stump sprouting had on summer nutritional carrying capacity for deer. Results indicated implementing prescribed fire in both dormant and growing-seasons led to increased summer nutrient availability on the landscape level by increasing forage quality and quantity. Mechanically creating stump sprouts from woody plants led to increased available nutrition on a localized level. Combining these management actions to target summer nutritional stress periods can better help deer meet nutritional demands and reach their full potential.

Traditional agriculture has played an important role in shaping the landscape for thousands of years. Agriculture and interactions between humans and their surroundings have changed since the beginning of historic time in Sweden, approximately 1000 years ago. Through botanical macrofossil analysis of plant remnants found in an urban ditch in Sigtuna, Sweden, I examine which natural landscapes the town’s inhabitants may have interacted with in terms of resource collection in the beginning of the Medieval period. The results showed indications of predominantly nutritious wet grassland habitats, but also dry grassland and forests, as well as remnants of urban and cultivated species. The species indicate that the resources may have been used as winter fodder for animals, but possibly also as sustenance for humans as well as building material. The results indicated little change over time, regarding which landscape types were interacted with, but there were possible indications of a decrease in grassland resource collection in the youngest sample from 1150 A.D. Further research is needed to understand the indication. The material indicates that the Cyperaceae family will be instrumental in continuing this research.

Ce travail de thèse a pour objectif d'étudier la construction de l’Europe institutionnelle en parallèle de l'émergence des questions environnementales et interroger dans le cadre d'une évolution historique, les interactions entre les décideurs, les administrations et les citoyens autour des questions de société, pour en observer les mécanismes de mutation. Il s'agit de questionner la capacité des Institutions européennes à faire intégrer à ses Etats membres des exigences environnementales. Nous observerons le glissement opéré depuis un principe de conservation de la nature à l’assurance d’un développement durable, en passant par une protection de l’environnement puis une préservation de la biodiversité où seront analysés les leviers d'action privilégiés pour imposer aux Etats des réglementations contraignantes. Les travaux développés dans cette recherche analysent les changements de « modèle », de cadrage législatif, de comportements, de conscience, de mode de vie en Europe, et leurs conséquences dans des solutions dites réalistes pour le modèle de croissance. Pour conduire à l’explication de ce phénomène, le présent ouvrage s’articulera autour de trois logiques utilisées successivement : la mise en place d’une politique de la nature, prenant en compte les contraintes des logiques existantes à travers le modèle de développement productiviste, puis une contestation caractérisée du modèle de développement proposant une protection de l’environnement, et enfin une prise en compte consciente et orchestrée des questions d’environnement par les institutions européennes vers la structuration d’un modèle caractérisé par la mise en œuvre de la Stratégie Européenne Développement Durable. / Approaching the European construction from 1949 till 2002 within environmental questions wish to bring a new prism for complex systems understanding. The present work sustain an interactional analysis between stakeholders, administrations and citizens thoughts across society matters to observe mutation mechanisms. In a Historical study of the Twentieth Century common decision making tools, we will observe how European Institutions contribute strengthening its territory. From nature conservancy to an insurance of a sustainable development, via an environmental protection then biodiversity preservation, an approach of related concepts and their evolvement wants to show presuppositions and difficulties to explain clearly what kind of empowerment tool is become Europe. Because citizen and political fights escort the discovery of environmental matters. Because painless degradation of the European natural heritage brought conflicts between countries which had contracted peace. The natural and industrial disasters management, limitations of a productivist development "model", the increase of societal individualization, urban spread and research of support and membership will drive the European Community in building operational targets before the rise of an "Environmental Economy". Facing dissimilar perceptions and trade-off in taking into account environmental questions inside community agenda, European institutions asked to develop understanding tools able to support, to control and manage its patrimony. In its successive enlargements, European Community will encourage the preservation, the protection, the improvement of environmental quality and public health, a wise use of natural resources or even international promotion of standards designed to face-off regional and planetary biodiversity matters. The European Union is finally able to suggest to the U.N. members a practical Sustainable Development Strategy Scheme ready to implement.

The widespread threat of species extinctions caused by the destruction and degradation of tropical primary forest (PF) could potentially be mitigated by the expansion of regenerating secondary forest (SF). However, the conservation value of SF remains controversial, and is dependent on many site- and landscape-scale factors, such as habitat age and isolation. The aim of this thesis was to assess the role that SF can play in conserving forest bird communities in central Panama. We study a chronosequence of SF aged 20 – 120-years-old, with sites either isolated from or connected to extensive PF. Our results suggest that SF supports high levels of avian species diversity, and similar community composition to PF. Whilst forest age plays a small role in determining compositional similarity to PF, connectivity to extensive PF was the main determinant of community composition. However, despite high species richness and complex community composition, some specialist PF bird species were consistently absent from SF, and isolated PF. The functional diversity of bird communities did not vary substantially across the forest age and isolation gradient, although we did find some inter-guild differences; with distinct responses in communities of avian insectivores and frugivores. Isolation caused shifts in the trophic traits of insectivores, but resulted in alterations in the dispersal traits of frugivores. The response of bird and tree community composition to forest age and isolation was similar, although isolation had a stronger impact on bird communities. Bird diversity and composition tracked changes in forest structure over succession. When examining the role of birds in seed-dispersal networks, we found bird gape width was the key predictor of seed size consumed. Large-gaped birds consume a wider variety of seed-sizes than small-gaped birds, and small-seeded trees attract a greater number of bird species than large-seeded trees. These results imply high levels of redundancy among small-gaped avian frugivores and small-seeded plant species, but low levels of redundancy among large-seeded plant species and their avian dispersers. This suggests that large-seeded plants may be most at risk of dispersal failure following any change in avian frugivore assemblages. Together, these results suggest that SF can play a key role in sustaining most tropical biodiversity, and in maintaining ecosystem services. Our findings emphasise the importance of integrating SF into conservation strategies to support and buffer tropical PF habitats.

The paper presents empirical studies on the appreciation of nature and landscape in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony, Germany) by tourism service providers (TSP) and visitors. Attractive landscape and experience of nature are the most important reasons to visit this region and to spend leisure time there. Particularly mountain meadows, raised bogs and mixed forests are highly appreciated. Deforestation, industrial development and the decline of biodiversity would reduce attractiveness for visitors. We also assessed whether the tourism sector is prepared to contribute to the funding of nature conservation and landscape management. Use of general tax revenues is favoured, but other modes would also be accepted, e.g. a nature tax. Willingness to pay (WTP) is ranging between €0.75 and €1.36 per guest per night by TSP, or between €1.06 and €2.73 per day by visitors. With respect to landscape preference and WTP we found in some cases significant differences among visitors, depending on region of residence, age and education level. A major part of the annual costs for nature conservation and landscape could be covered by public funds (taxes), if the results of the WTP approach were understood as a sign of societal demand and a call to action.

This diploma work focuses on the analysis of the current situation of an agricultural company and the subsequent evaluation of its suitability to be transformed onto an eco-friendly method of production taking into consideration the local conditions, its business structure, its current specialization, the human factor and the economic aspects.

Landscape heterogeneity is thought to differ among farm management types (i.e. organic and conventional), and this difference is hypothesized to result in variations in pest control by natural enemies. However, it is unclear if these variations in pest control are driven by landscape structure or by farm management practices themselves. Remotely sensed datasets were used to describe the landscape structure surrounding a group of organic and conventional caneberry farms in Oregon and Washington that have different leafroller parasitism rates attributed to farm management type. A finer scale survey was done at one of the farms using the remotely sensed data as well as field surveys. Landscape metrics of diversity, richness and percent non-crop were used to describe the landscapes surrounding the farm fields at scales ranging from 0.05 km to 5.00 km for the large scale study, and 0.05 km to 0.20 km for the fine scale study. In the fine scale study, data on parasitoid species assemblages, diversity, and parasitism rate were collected and analyzed against the calculated landscape metrics spatially and seasonally. The purpose of this study was to quantify effects of farm management type on habitat structure, effect of habitat structure on leafroller parasitism rate, and to access correlations between landscape metrics calculated at the landscape and field scale. Overall, the farms were embedded in a landscape that was broadly similar, with very few differences in landscape structure occurring between organic and conventional farms. Organic farms had higher vegetation height class diversity at the largest scale compared to conventional farms, while conventional farms had significantly higher percent non-crop area compared to organic farms. There was no significant effect of any of the calculated landscape metrics on parasitism rates. In the field scale study, no correlations were found between habitat metrics and parasitism rates, or between field based metrics and those calculated at the landscape scale. The results of this study suggest that conventional and organic caneberry farms in the Willamette Valley are broadly similar in the habitat conditions they provide parasitoids. This suggests that management changes to pesticide use alone could increase levels of leafroller biological control on conventional farms to levels that are comparable to those seen on organic farms. Our comparisons of the landscape scale and field scale landscape metrics showed no connection, this suggests that direct comparisons cannot be made with these particular metrics at these very different scales. Rather than comparing these types of data, it may be more useful to combine them in order to increase the resolution and predictive power of remotely sensed data for describing landscapes at broad scales. / Graduation date: 2013

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / In the past, development was allowed in agricultural areas which would not be acceptable under current planning policy. There is a growing need to develop and maintain highly productive and ecologically stable agricultural systems. One approach to encourage better land management and utilisation is the international certification of a farm’s production practices.

The paper presents empirical studies on the appreciation of nature and landscape in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony, Germany) by tourism service providers (TSP) and visitors. Attractive landscape and experience of nature are the most important reasons to visit this region and to spend leisure time there. Particularly mountain meadows, raised bogs and mixed forests are highly appreciated. Deforestation, industrial development and the decline of biodiversity would reduce attractiveness for visitors. We also assessed whether the tourism sector is prepared to contribute to the funding of nature conservation and landscape management. Use of general tax revenues is favoured, but other modes would also be accepted, e.g. a nature tax. Willingness to pay (WTP) is ranging between €0.75 and €1.36 per guest per night by TSP, or between €1.06 and €2.73 per day by visitors. With respect to landscape preference and WTP we found in some cases significant differences among visitors, depending on region of residence, age and education level. A major part of the annual costs for nature conservation and landscape could be covered by public funds (taxes), if the results of the WTP approach were understood as a sign of societal demand and a call to action.

Tesis por compendio / [ES] Los servicios ecosistémicos de montaña han adquirido importancia entre los científicos, los administradores y los encargados de formular políticas de todo el mundo; sin embargo, las actividades humanas están amenazando su conservación, en particular los cambios en el uso del suelo debido al aumento de la urbanización, la expansión agrícola y la deforestación. La Puna Altoandina es un ecosistema montañoso representativo que enfrenta estos serios y crecientes desafíos. La Puna Altoandina, cuyos principales socioecosistemas consisten en pastizales naturales, matorrales y zonas agrícolas, puede proporcionar múltiples servicios ecosistémicos influenciados por el tipo de cobertura terrestre y sus dinámicas. En este contexto, se han explorado las dinámicas entre los usos representativos de la superficie terrestre y su potencial para proporcionar servicios ecosistémicos en la Puna húmeda Altoandina a lo largo del tiempo. Asimismo, se ha completado un análisis espacio-temporal que describe cómo diferentes patrones de 6 dinámicas de cambio del uso del suelo impactan en la provisión de 7 servicios ecosistémicos durante un período de 13 años (de 2000 a 2013), y en el territorio de 25 provincias. Además, con el fin de mejorar la gestión de los servicios ecosistémicos, abordamos los efectos de aplicar dos análisis "clúster" (estáticos y dinámicos) para evaluar los conjuntos de servicios ecosistémicos en cuatro escalas de observación diferentes (dos ámbitos administrativos y dos tamaños de pixel geográfico: 0.25 y 9 km2). En general, este estudio proporciona un enfoque para facilitar la incorporación de los servicios ecosistémicos a múltiples escalas que permite una interpretación fácil del desarrollo de la región y que puede contribuir a mejorar las acciones para la gestión del uso del suelo y las decisiones de política ambiental. / [CA] Els serveis ecosistèmics muntanya han adquirit importància entre els científics, els administradors i els encarregats de formular polítiques de tot el món; no obstant això, les activitats humanes estan amenaçant la seua conservació, en particular els canvis en l'ús del sòl a causa de l'augment de la urbanització, l'expansió agrícola i la desforestació. La Puna Altoandina és un ecosistema muntanyenc representatiu que enfronta aquests seriosos i creixents desafiaments. La Puna Altoandina que els seus principals soci-ecosistemes consisteixen en pasturatges naturals, matolls i zones agrícoles, pot proporcionar múltiples serveis ecosistèmics influenciats per les diferents categories de cobertura terrestre y els seus dinàmiques. En aquest context, s'han explorat les dinàmiques entre els usos representatius de la superfície terrestre i el seu potencial per a proporcionar serveis ecosistèmics en la Puna humida Altoandina al llarg del temps. Així mateix, s'ha completat una anàlisi espai-temporal que descriu com diferents patrons de 6 dinàmiques de canvi de l'ús del sòl impacten en la provisió de 7 serveis ecosistèmics durant un període de 13 anys (de 2000 a 2013), i en el territori de 25 províncies. A més, amb la finalitat de millorar la gestió dels serveis ecosistèmics, abordem els efectes d'aplicar dues anàlisis "clúster" (estàtics i dinàmics) per a avaluar els conjunts de serveis ecosistèmics en quatre escales d'observació diferents (dos àmbits administratius i dues grandàries de píxel geogràfic: 0.25 y 9 km2). En general, aquest estudi proporciona un enfocament per a facilitar la incorporació dels serveis ecosistèmics a múltiples escales que permet una interpretació fàcil del desenvolupament de la regió i que pot contribuir a millorar les accions per la gestió de l'ús del sòl i les decisions de política ambiental. / [EN] Mountain ecosystem services have gained relevance among scientists, managers, and policy-makers worldwide; but, human activities are threatening its conservation, particularly land changes due to increased urbanization, agricultural expansion and deforestation. The high-Andean Puna is a representative mountain ecosystem that is facing these serious and growing challenges. The high-Andean Puna, whose main socialecosystems consist of natural grassland, shrubland and agricultural areas, can provide multiple regulating ecosystem services influenced by the land cover/use type and their dynamics. In this context, we explored the dynamics between the representative land-cover classes and its potential to provide ecosystem services in the high-Andean moist Puna over time. We completed a spatiotemporal analysis that describes how different patterns of 6 landchange dynamics impact on the supply of 7 ecosystem services over a period of 13 years (from 2000 to 2013), and across 25 provinces. Moreover, in order to improve the management of ecosystem services, we addressed the effects of applying two cluster analyses (static and dynamic) for assessing bundles of ecosystem services across four different scales of observation (two administrative boundaries and two sizes of grids: 0.25 and 9 km2). Overall, this study provides an approach to facilitate the incorporation of ES at multiple scales allowing an easy interpretation of the region development that can contribute to land management actions and policy decisions. / Madrigal Martínez, S. (2021). Land-change dynamics and ecosystem services using expert-based assessment and GIS: methodological implications for improving decision-making [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/172369 / Compendio