Territorial systems of ecological stability of the landscape Prof. RNDr. Milan Viturka, CSc. FEA MU, Brno The concept of territorial systems of ecological stability of the landscape Territorial system of ecological stability of the landscape is interconnected set of natural and modified (but close to nature) ecosystems that maintain balance through direct and backward relationships. From the system point of view, the concept TSES represent a significant innovation of the classic conservation concept. This new concept is based on supporting the development of ecological infrastructure as a flexible tool for enhancing the effectivity of natural heritage protection. European ecological network EECONET EECONET aims to establish a joint territorially interconnected network providing protection, restoration and development of ecosystems of European significance. The functional capability of this network is determined by relevant links across the Europe. Their basic components are: Core areas which include representative demonstration of all types of ecosystems of Pan-European importance capable of permanent existence within individual countries (in a compatible Czech TSES are referred as biocentres). Landscape corridors (biocorridors of supra-regional importance according to TSES) connect the core areas to allow spatial communication respective migration processes of animals and plants (e.g. by means of seeds dissemination). Buffer zones (respectively interactive elements) are areas with increased landscape care that separate core areas from external negative influences and, on the other hand, promote the diffusion of positive effects. Structure of EECONET (European ecological network) Czech concept of territorial systems of ecological stability of the landscape (TSES) Sustainability of production and biodiversity capacities generally depends on the ecological stability of landscape. This stability can be positively influenced by reducing of destabilizing phenomena (through environmental policy) and by creating of TSES systems (through spatial planning). The main objectives of these complex systems are to maintain of natural genofond and to induce favourable effects on ecologically less stable parts of the landscape. The current set of ecologically important segments creates so-called skeleton of ecological stability (SES) that plays crucial role in maintaining of the landscape biodiversity. SES together with replenishment of missing part of system create the essence of TSES. The basis for defining of SES and designing of TSES is biogeographic differentiation of the landscape according to geobiocenological concept (geobiocenosis is a terrestrial community of plants and animals). Categorization of TSES ›Local TSES with range from 1 to10 ha Regional TSES =10-50 ha Supraregional TSES = at least 1 000 ha Provincial TSES = more than 10 ths. ha – e.g. river Dyje valley (National park/NP Podyjí) and springs of river Úpa (NP Krkonoše). ›Biospheric TSES = more than 10 ths. ha – in the Czech Republic only natural monument Modrava wetlands (National Park Šumava) was designated. This TSES follow up on core area (Kerngebiet) of the Bavarian Forest National Park. ›The Czech TSES system include 25 basic biocentres of European significance and 10 relevant biocorridors of European significance which are represented by selected parts especially of the supraregional TSES. Space parameters of TSES The spatial parameters of biocentres and biocorridors minimal biocentres area Type of bicenoses area/ha local forest 3 aqueous 1 wetland 1 meadow 3 step ladder 1 rocky 0,5 regional forest according to the vertical vegetation stages beech and beech-oak 30 oak-beech and beech 20 fir-beech 25 spruce-fir-beech 40 spruce 40 cage-alpine 30 wetland alder 10 aqueous 10 wetland 10 meadow 30 step ladder 10 rocky 5 supraregional core area 10-50 total area 1 000 provincial core area 1 000 total area 10 000 biospeheric core area 10 000 lengths and widths of biocorridors local maximal permissible length 0,4-1 km minimal required width 10-20 m regional maximal permissible length 1-2 km minimal required width 20-50 m Levels of ecological stability within the TSES Actual level of TSES is defined by 5-degree classification ranging from the highest level of 5th degree (especially forests with natural and nature-related composition of species, preserved wetlands, subalpine meadows), over 4th degree (semi-cultural forests, natural line biocenoses and natural meadows and pastures), 3rd degree (cultural forests, natural water areas and flows, small-scale gardens and orchards and semi-cultural meadows and pastures), 2nd degree (strongly devastated forests, ruderal biocenoses, small-scale vineyards), to the first degree (characterized especially by artificial water area and flows with strong polluted water, large-scale vineyards and arable land). The built-up areas then have zero ecological stability. How TSES Works §It can be generally state that TSES increase the share of stable ecosystems and reduce landscape fragmentation. §Ecological stability decreases with a declining share of ecologically stable and successively advanced ecosystems. In contemporary conditions ecological stability also decreasing with the growing fragmentation of the landscape. §Human-affected ecosystems are environmentally unstable and therefore require additional energy input, which in the long run increases cost of maintaining them (costs of afforestation of spruce monocultures with little resistance to harmful abiotic and biotic factors makes around 3.5 thous. EURO/ha – for comparison costs of additional energy of fuel for deep ploughing makes almost 30 EURO/ha). § Ecologically stable original agricultural landscape Intensified agricultural landscape Forests devastated by bark beetle and their natural regeneration (Šumava mts.) Loss of Landscape Connectivity = Loss of Biodiversity §This process is mainly conditioned by: §isolation of biocenoses (a community of all organisms inhabiting a particular territory). §loss of genetic diversity reducing long-term horizon resistance to adverse external influences. §Conclusion: Small isolated biocenoses are not able to survive in the long-term under the unfavourable conditions generated especially by development of human civilization – see e.g. climate change, expansion of transport infrastructure and/or penetration of invasive alien species. § 1980 2005 2025 2000 Increasing the scope of transport infrastructure = increasing of landscape fragmentation Number of the areas unfragmented by traffic is going to decline by 30% over the period 1980-2025! § 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 Identifications of migration corridors Identification of migration corridors in the Central Europe Ecoduct on the Czech highway D 1 (Central Moravia) TSES links to spatial planning The aim of spatial planning is in general to formulate the basic economic, social and environmental objectives of the development of territorial units (with emphasis on the way and intensity of land-use) and next to identify the main activities influencing this development and to determine optimal management of these activities. The incorporation of the systemic concept of ecological stability into spatial planning significantly extends the possibilities of practical implementation of environmental policy objectives. Specification of TSES in spatial planning documentation ØTSES is an obligatory part of spatial plans and of complex land consolidation in the Czech Republic. ØAs regards the practical application of environmentally-based approaches, it is necessary to mention especially the method of environmental impact assessment (E.I.A) used for the evaluation of investment plans as well as important state development conceptions. ØHowever, TSES projects often have remained on paper only; but recently their support has intensified thanks to the "discovery" of their diverse practical benefits (an example is their using as multi-purpose, e.g. recreational areas or their positive impacts on effectivity of agriculture). It can be said that green infrastructure is an important tool to strengthen the interconnections between the development of social and natural systems. For their general economic interpretation can be used the concept of quality of life, understood by some economists (e.g. well-known American economist M. Porter) as a perspective driving force of territorial competitiveness. From a natural point of view, green infrastructure is a very important multifunctional tool that promotes sustainable development of human civilization with positive impacts on the effectiveness of fighting with the threat of global climate changes and other negative effects induced by social development. Why a green Infrastructure? Implementation of TSES into territorial plans by means of relevant programmes allow to build new segments of „green“ infrastructure Designing of TSES When designing the TSES, it is assumed that the main priority is not the creation of new landscape structures, but maintain the minimal parameters which are necessary for the sustainability of landscape structures. The fulfilment of this objective can be controlled through the following five criteria: qthe criterion of diversity of ecosystems that is based on biogeographic landscape differentiation, qthe criterion of spatial relationships of ecosystems based on the definition of biocorridors according to similarities of the nearest core areas, qthe criterion of necessary spatial parameters aimed at securing the minimum functionality of system, qthe criterion of the current state of landscape aimed at maximizing the role of TSES qthe criterion of societal interests (relevant laws and limits) in relation to TSES projects. a Landscape evaluation of transport infrastructures building Relevant analyses are oriented on environmental and urban components and consist of three steps: 1. delimitation of the territory, 2. selection of map of suitable scale and GIS databases, 3. analysis of territorial components (geology, geomorphology, water flows and resources, forest ecosystems, agricultural land, archaeological sites, historical buildings and urban or village monument zones). Synthesis of environmental component is based on the definition of 3 zones: ■ zone 1 of the most important values of ecological stability and natural resources where localization of new important transport structures (e.g. highways and HSR) is excluded, ■ zone 2 of important ecological values where localization of new transport structures is possible if relevant technical and economic measures are implemented, ■ zone 3 of relatively unimportant environmental values where localization of new transport structures is permissible. Landscape evaluation – continuation The second synthesis of urban component is also based on the definition of 3 zones: ■ zone 1 of the most important urban functions with high protection requirements (localization is exluded). ■ zone 2 of important urban functions where compromises (e.g. noise barriers) are possible. ■ zone 3 of relatively less important urban functions where localization of line structures is generally permissible. The final synthesis then aggregates the results of previous analyses into 3 complex groups: vgroup 1 = areas with the highest protection of territories with important ecological functions and urbanized areas, vgroup 2 = areas of possible compromises where localization of new transport structures is conditioned by full respecting of these values, vgroup 3 = suitable investment areas where construction of an infrastructure is not in conflict with other public interests. Potential conflicts of the planned HSR network with Natura 2000 (SAC and SPA) and supraregional TSES Obsah obrázku mapa Popis byl vytvořen automaticky Thanks for your attention