Mosaic Landscape Structures in Relation to the Land Use of Nitra District
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Ekológia (Bratislava) Vol. 39, No. 3, p. 277–288, 2020 DOI:10.2478/eko-2020-0022 MOSAIC LANDSCAPE STRUCTURES IN RELATION TO THE LAND USE OF NITRA DISTRICT GABRIEL BUGÁR, ZUZANA PUCHEROVÁ, KATARÍNA VESELOVSKÁ Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovak Republic; e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract Bugár G., Pucherová Z., Veselovská K.: Mosaic landscape structures in relation to the land use of Nitra district. Ekológia (Bratislava), Vol. 39, No. 3, p. 277–288, 2020. Mosaic landscape structures with traditional forms of land use are currently the most impor- tant landscape features, especially from the point of landscape and cultural-historical perspective. Their typical features are the alternation of the areas of narrow-field fields, meadow vegetation and permanent cultures, especially vineyards and orchards. Their presence in the territory is mainly related to the rich vineyard and fruit-growing tradition. On the territory of the Nitra district, we record the most extensive mosaic landscape structures from the south to the north-eastern part. These are heterogeneous units, typical of the rotation of small-area land management, scattered by non-woody vegetation and habitat. In the mosaic landscape structures, we also find elements of the traditional settlement architecture of the houses ‘hajloch’. Significant landscape elements in the form of mosaic structures survive thanks to the rich viniculture tradition. In the long run, however, there are changes in their use: they are often the subject of inheritance, they are con- verted into holiday homes or they are used for the needs of an expanding residential development. The aim of our study is to point out the dynamic and changes that occurred in the mosaic land- scape structures between the two-time horizons (the 50s of the 20th century and the present). For this purpose, we use geospatial analysis to evaluate their area representation, spatial character- istics in relation to the surrounding settlement structure and selected properties of relief forms. The analysis and evaluation of the spatial diversity of mosaic landscape structures as important landscape elements play a significant role in protecting the natural and cultural heritage values of the area from the aspect of species diversity and rich gene pool, visual perception of the land- scape, preservation of ecological stability of landscape, landscape potential and overall landscape diversity. Key words: agricultural landscape, land use, tradition, spatial characteristics, cultural heritage. Introduction The European landscape is predominantly a biocultural, multi-functional landscape. As such, it provides a crucial and effective space for integration of biological and cultural diversity for human wellbeing, including in the context of rural territories (Agnoletti, Rotherham, 2015). In a period of intensive economic development and societal interests, the country and its land use are dynamically changing (Falťan et al., 2018). Assessing 277 changes in the extent and management intensity of land use is crucial to understand the land-system dynamics and their environmental and social outcomes. Understanding the spatial patterns of changes in the extent and intensity of land use, and how these relate to each other, is important for understanding land-use change trajectories and the im- portance of impact of changes in the extent and management intensity of broad land use categories (Kuemmerle et al., 2016). The cultural diversity of the country makes a significant contribution to maintaining the diversity of conditions and forms of life on Earth. The significance of the link between cultur- al and natural phenomena is that at the same time, the link between history and ecological, landscape and aesthetic values of the territory, which contribute to the diversity of conditions and forms of life. It is a part of the natural and cultural heritage of Slovakia. If we want to understand the country and people today, we must know the land of the past. The historical and contemporary way of using the landscape – secondary landscape structure – tells us a lot about the economic and social situation of the local community, but also the whole society. Exploring the development of land use reflects the way in which the population is coping with the socio-political influences, respectively changes (Jančura, 1998). By expanding the areas of artificial ecosystems – agroecosystems to the detriment of nat- ural ecosystems, a new anthropogenic phenomenon is emerging at the country level – the agricultural landscape (Demo et al., 1998). Traditional agricultural landscapes are defined as those landscapes that have a distinct and recognisable structure that reflects clear relation- ships between the composing elements and are of high significance for natural, cultural and/ or aesthetical values (Antrop, 1997). Most forms of traditional agriculture are specific, these forms are evolving in time in a particular habitat and culture, but many share common agro- ecological features (i.e., high number for plant and animal diversity, high structural diversity, exploitation of a full range of local climate, dependence on local resources and crop varie- ties, etc.) (Altieri, Toledo, 2005). Traditional systems and indigenous technologies existing throughout the world comprise a globally important ingenious agricultural heritage that re- flects the value of the diversity of agricultural systems adapted to different environments and the vagaries of a changing physical and material environment from generation to generation (Altieri, Koohafkan, 2008). Assessing the changes in the extent and management intensity of land use is crucial to understand the land-system dynamics and their environmental and so- cial outcomes (Kuemmerle et al., 2016). Agricultural systems were intensified substantially, especially during the 1960s–1980s, and Europe today has some of the most intensively man- aged croplands in the world (Mueller et al., 2012). The material part of the cultural heritage with a clear application in space can be defined as historical landscape structures. According to Huba et al. (1988), the historical landscape structures represent a specific, period-limited and spatially diminishing sub-type of land- scape structures as a whole. The genesis of historical landscape structures (their emergence in the country and their dynamics) depends both on socio-economic and natural patterns. According to Jančura (1998), historical landscape structures form an integral part of every country. A specific element, which significantly contributes to the increase of biodiversity, landscape diversity and cultural diversity, are still the preserved areas of historical structures of agricultural landscape (Štefunková, Dobrovodská, 1998). 278 The aim of our study is to point out the dynamic and changes that occurred in the mosaic landscape structures between the two-time horizons (the 50s of the 20th century and the pre- sent). We use geospatial analyses to evaluate their area representation, spatial characteristics in relation to the surrounding settlement structure and selected properties of relief forms. Material and methods District Nitra is located in the western part of Slovakia (see location in the Fig. 1). It’s area is 870.71 km2. The greater part of the territory of the district is located in the Danubian Lowland (Podunajská pahorkatina), which is bordered by the Tribeč mountain range with the highest point of the Žibrica area (617 m above sea level) in the northern part. The lowest point is located in Vinodol (126 m above sea level). The surface in the lowland part of the district is flat along the river Nitra, elsewhere upland with valleys. The majority of the district’s territory belongs to the warm climate. The average annual temperature is 9.7 °C and the total annual rainfall is 580 mm. The biggest watercourse is the river Nitra with tributaries Radošinka (western part) and Zittau (eastern part). In the district of Nitra, Haplic Luvisols and Haplic Chernozems dominate. Fluvisols have developed along the river Nitra and its tributaries. In the Tribeč Mountains, Cambisols and Rendzic Leptosols were created. The upland part of the district is almost de- forested. The forests of the district are 10.15%. The administrative district is part of the Nitra self-governing region. Part of the district is 62 settlements, 2 have city status (Nitra and Vráble). The urbanization rate of the district is 58 and 42% of the population live in rural settlements. The fertility of the soils is high, the degree of ploughed land is Fig. 1. Types of changes in mosaic landscape structures of Nitra district in two-time horizons 1949−2018. 279 T a b l e 1. Index of mosaic landscape structures evaluation and 6-digit code assignment. Index of MLS Index categories evaluation NFW type 1 With rare occur- 2 With 3 With domi- 4 With domi- 5 With domi- rence of non-forest different nant solitary nant line NFW nant grouped woody vegetation forms of NFW (areal) NSFW NFW Small architecture 1 Yes 2 No Mosaic type Vineyards MLS Arable lands- Arable lands- grasslands- grasslands orchards MLS MLS 1 Mosaic 2 Mosaic 3 Mosaic 4 Mosaic 5 Mosaic 6 Mosaic Vin, A Vin, A, O Vin, A, Gr Vin, A, O, Gr A, O, Gr A, Gr Parcel shape 1 Narrowband 2 Block 3 Other (square) Utilization rate 1 Regularly farmed 2 Occasionally used, resp. 3 Mostly abandoned MLS MLS partially abandoned MLS Parcel topographic 1 Mostly on the 2 Mostly down the slope 3 Mixed 4 Planar aspect contour line line Notes: NFW – non-forest woody vegetation; A – arable land; O – orchards; Gr – grasslands; Urb – urbanised area; Vin – vineyards. 69.33%. A typical form of utilization of agricultural land, besides the dominant large-scale farming, is also a small- block form with small narrow fields, which are mainly part of agricultural mosaic structures. The aim of our study is to point out the dynamic and changes that occurred in the mosaic landscape structures between the two-time horizons (the 50s of the 20th century and the present).