Assessing landscape change and biodiversity values of the Middle Vistula river valley, Poland, using BIO-SAFE |
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| Authors: | Marta Wozniak Rob S.E.W. Leuven H.J. Rob Lenders Tadeusz J. Chmielewski Gertjan W. Geerling Anthonius J.M. Smits |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Landscape Architecture, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, ul. Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland;2. Department for Sustainable Management of Resources, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands;3. Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands;4. Department of Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Life Sciences, Dobrzańskiego St. 37, 20-262 Lublin, Poland;1. Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Services, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India;2. Squint & Neuro-ophthalmology Services, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India;1. London Vision Clinic, London, United Kingdom;2. Biomedical Science Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, United Kingdom;3. Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA;4. Sorbonne Université, Paris, France;1. Department of Ophthalmology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany;2. Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany;3. SMILE EYES, Marburg, Germany;4. SMILE EYES, Leipzig, Germany;5. SMILE EYES, Muenster, Germany;6. SMILE EYES, Trier, Germany;7. SMILE EYES, Munich, Germany;8. SMILE EYES, Cologne, Germany;9. SMILE EYES, Zentrum Fuer Refraktive Chirurgie, Muenster, Germany;1. Wageningen University, Environmental Systems Analysis Group, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands;2. De Vlinderstichting/Dutch Butterfly Conservation, P.O. Box 506, 6700 AM Wageningen, The Netherlands;3. Wageningen University, Laboratory of Entomology, P.O. Box 16, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands |
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| Abstract: | This paper deals with the relation between legally protected biodiversity and riverine ecotopes and with the assessment of biodiversity values of the Middle Vistula river valley (Poland). Furthermore, it describes the effects of landscape change on spatial distribution of ecotope patches and biodiversity values in Kazimierski Landscape Park. Biodiversity values were calculated using BIO-SAFE, a model meant to quantify biodiversity and to value ecotopes based on legally protected species. Dissimilarity indices depict high uniqueness of ecotope types regarding their species assemblages (e.g., river dunes, banks and bars). The actual biodiversity values of the river valley in Kazimierski Landscape Park are high in comparison with floodplains of lowland rivers in Western Europe. GIS analyses of remotely sensed ecotope maps show remarkable differences in number, acreage and patchiness of ecotopes for the years 1953 and 2003. The total number of patches increased by almost 44%. Side channels and floodplain lakes became fragmented. The average and total surface area of bush, forest and arable land increased, but decreased for bare soil, pioneer vegetation and grassland. These landscape changes indicate natural vegetation succession, intensification of agriculture and progressive impacts of river regulation. The Vistula river valley still represents high biodiversity values for higher plants, birds, herpetofauna and fish. However, current landscape changes negatively affect potential values for protected and endangered species. Assessments with BIO-SAFE can help to balance biodiversity conservation, river management and landscape planning. |
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| Keywords: | Biodiversity Floodplains Habitat assessment Protected species River ecotopes |
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