학술논문

Impact of Roads on Environmental Protected Areas: Analysis and Comparison of Metrics for Assessing Habitat Fragmentation
Document Type
article
Source
Land, Vol 11, Iss 10, p 1843 (2022)
Subject
road infrastructures
Natura 2000 network
protected natural areas
environmental management
landscape fragmentation metrics
landscape unit
Agriculture
Language
English
ISSN
2073-445X
Abstract
The present study focuses on evaluating the effect of fragmentation caused by road infrastructures on a territory with singular characteristics such as low population density and a high proportion of its surface area protected by the Natura 2000 network. Based on the IFI, UFI, Meff and DIVI metrics, the state of fragmentation of the landscape units (LU) was studied from two different approaches, considering two different protection figures, and the degree of suitability of the metrics used for the objective pursued was analysed. The results show that the expressions proposed for the indicators which measure the fragmentation of landscape units (LU) originated by road infrastructures (IFI, Meff and DIVI) assess different causes and consequences in the territory than that proposed for fragmentation originated by urban areas (UFI). The combination of all indicators allows for the identification of shortcomings and strengths of the LU analysed and, consequently, evaluation of the effectiveness of the design of the LU and need for improvement. The outcomes of fragmentation analysis of the LU in the area under study varied depending on the criterion applied and the protection figure considered. A general increasing trend for all indicators was found in terms of the number of LU units and LU surface as the level of fragmentation rises. The results of this study are useful for decision-making on territory and road infrastructures management and new approaches to the organisation of the Natura 2000 network.