Ongoing, but slowing, habitat loss in a rural landscape over 85 years
Ongoing, but slowing, habitat loss in a rural landscape over 85 years
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DOI：
10.1007/s10980-019-00944-2
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发表时间：
2019-12-04
影响因子：
5.2
通讯作者：
Bullock, James M.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Ridding, Lucy E.;Watson, Stephen C. L.;Bullock, James M.
评估生物多样性丧失和生态系统服务改变的研究倾向于审查过去几十年的变化，尽管土地利用变化及其负面影响发生的时间要长得多。研究过去的土地利用变化，特别是长期和多时期的土地利用变化，对于理解历史上变化的速度和驱动因素是如何变化的至关重要。目的量化和评估1930年至2015年5个时间点乡村景观半自然生境的变化模式。方法利用历史植被调查、再调查、历史地图和其他当代空间数据，对1930年、1950年、1980年、1990年和2015年英格兰南部多塞特郡3700多个地点的生境覆盖度进行了测定。结果1930年至2015年间，多塞特郡的半自然栖息地明显减少。对于大多数半自然生境来说，这种趋势是非线性的，最大的损失发生在1950年至1980年之间。这一时期恰逢耕地和改良草地面积最大的时期，反映了第二次世界大战后农业的扩张。虽然半自然栖息地的丧失在这一时期之后有所减少，主要是因为可供转换的地点很少，但在过去的25年里，仍有一些栖息地丧失。该研究结果说明了英国长期的栖息地丧失历史，对规划景观管理和改善措施（如恢复）具有重要意义。我们的分析还强调了法定保护在保留半自然生境方面的作用，表明有必要继续保护重要的生境。
Context Studies evaluating biodiversity loss and altered ecosystem services have tended to examine changes over the last few decades, despite the fact that land use change and its negative impacts have been occurring over a much longer period. Examining past land use change, particularly over the long-term and multiple time periods, is essential for understanding how rates and drivers of change have varied historically. Objectives To quantify and assess patterns of change in semi-natural habitats across a rural landscape at five time points between 1930 and 2015. Methods We determined the habitat cover at over 3700 sites across the county of Dorset, southern England in 1930, 1950, 1980, 1990 and 2015, using historical vegetation surveys, re-surveys, historical maps and other contemporary spatial data. Results Considerable declines in semi-natural habitats occurred across the Dorset landscape between 1930 and 2015. This trend was non-linear for the majority of semi-natural habitats, with the greatest losses occurring between 1950 and 1980. This period coincides with the largest gains to arable and improved grassland, reflecting agricultural expansion after the Second World War. Although the loss of semi-natural habitats declined after this period, largely because there were very few sites left to convert, there were still a number of habitats lost within the last 25 years. Conclusions The findings illustrate a long history of habitat loss in the UK, and are important for planning landscape management and ameliorative actions, such as restoration. Our analysis also highlights the role of statutory protection in retaining semi-natural habitats, suggesting the need for continued protection of important habitats.