A Field Method for Landscape Conservation Surveying: The Landscape Assessment Protocol (LAP)

Vassiliki Vlami, Stamatis Zogaris, Hakan Djuma, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, George Kehayias and Panayotis Dimopoulos
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Vassiliki Vlami: Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Stamatis Zogaris: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 19013 Anavissos, Greece
Hakan Djuma: Cyprus Institute, Energy-Environment and Water Research Center, Nikosia 1645, Cyprus
Ioannis P. Kokkoris: Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
George Kehayias: Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Management, University of Patras, 30100 Agrinio, Greece
Panayotis Dimopoulos: Department of Biology, Laboratory of Botany, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 7, 1-20

Abstract: We introduce a field survey method to assess the conservation condition of landscapes. Using a popular rapid assessment format, this study defines observable “stressed states” identified through the use of general metrics to gauge landscape degradation. Fifteen metrics within six thematic categories were selected through a literature review and extensive field trials. Field tests on the Greek island of Samothraki show a strong correlation between a single expert’s scores and five assessor’s scores at 35 landscape sites. Only three of the metrics did not maintain a high consistency among assessors; however, this is explained by the difficulty of interpreting certain anthropogenic stressors (such as livestock grazing) in Mediterranean semi-natural landscapes with culturally-modified vegetation patterns. The protocol and proposed index, with five conservation condition classes, identified areas of excellent and good quality, and reliably distinguished the most degraded landscape conditions on the island. Uncertainties and difficulties of the index are investigated, and further research and validation are proposed. The protocol effectively goes beyond a traditional visual aesthetic assessment; it can be used both by experts and non-scientists as a conservation-relevant multi-disciplinary procedure to support a holistic landscape diagnosis. The combination of an on-site experiential survey and its simple integrative format may be useful as a screening-level index, and for promoting local participation, landscape literacy and educational initiatives.

Keywords: rapid assessment; landscape; nature conservation; heritage; index; environmental education; ecosystem services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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