Quantifying the changes in landscape configuration using open source GIS. Case study: Bistrita subcarpathian valley

Chelaru, Dan-Adrian and Oiste, Ana-Maria and Mihai, Florin-Constantin (2014): Quantifying the changes in landscape configuration using open source GIS. Case study: Bistrita subcarpathian valley. Published in: 14th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference on ECOLOGY, ECONOMICS, EDUCATION AND LEGISLATION SGEM 2014, Conference Proceedings , Vol. 1, : pp. 557-565.

Abstract

Gradually, the study of the landscape became a core topic of environmental studies, due to its interdisciplinary research methods, integrating both natural and socio-economic data. The goal of the study is to quantify the structural evolution of Bistrita subcarpathian valley landscape, by using several GIS applications, having an important role in highlighting its functionality. The applications were realized for the extended area limit of Bistrita subcarpathian valley, which presents a complex landscape morphology, with features ranging from forested mountains to densely populated lowlands. The analysis was based on the two land cover maps resulted from the extraction of the spatial layers from the 1986 cadastral plans, 1:10.000 scale, respectively the 2005/2006 ortophotomaps, 1:5.000 scale. For completing the study, were calculated for the two periods a series of specific indicators, called landscape metrics, which contain quantitative information about the structure and features of the landscape. The results of the analysis proved the utility of these indicators in quantifying the structural evolution of the landscape, and also highlighted the capabilities of using Open Source software for complex spatial analysis. This type of analysis has a great importance for the authorities and other decision making factors regarding the territorial planning processes.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: landscape metrics, Open Source GIS, Bistrita subcarpathian valley
• Subjects: O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O2 - Development Planning and Policy > O21 - Planning Models ; Planning Policy; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q10 - General; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q15 - Land Ownership and Tenure ; Land Reform ; Land Use ; Irrigation ; Agriculture and Environment; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture > Q18 - Agricultural Policy ; Food Policy; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q56 - Environment and Development ; Environment and Trade ; Sustainability ; Environmental Accounts and Accounting ; Environmental Equity ; Population Growth; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q57 - Ecological Economics: Ecosystem Services ; Biodiversity Conservation ; Bioeconomics ; Industrial Ecology; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R0 - General > R00 - General; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R5 - Regional Government Analysis > R52 - Land Use and Other Regulations; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R5 - Regional Government Analysis > R58 - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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