Biodiversity, Heritage and Ecosystem Service Potential of Woody Taxa in Scattered Built Environments of Traditional Agricultural Landscapes

Sara Đorđević, Attila Tóth (), Gabriel Kuczman, Jelena Čukanović, Mirjana Ljubojević, Mirjana Ocokoljić, Djurdja Petrov and Saša Orlović
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Sara Đorđević: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Attila Tóth: Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Gabriel Kuczman: Institute of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia
Jelena Čukanović: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Mirjana Ljubojević: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Mirjana Ocokoljić: Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia
Djurdja Petrov: Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Višeslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia
Saša Orlović: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 8, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-28

Abstract: Agricultural landscapes often exhibit low tree cover and homogeneity, leading to various environmental challenges. Traditional farmsteads, as scattered built environments in agricultural landscapes with diverse woody vegetation, enhance ecological heterogeneity and provide significant ecosystem services (ES), yet their dendroflora remains understudied. This study assesses woody vegetation on ten traditional farmsteads in Vojvodina, Serbia as case studies, through field surveys of woody species, biodiversity indices, GIS-based spatial analyses, and classification of species according to functional and ecosystem-related traits, offering insights into ecological patterns within these landscapes. The analysis examines species composition, abundance, origin, structural traits (tree cover, density, age, height, and crown width), and functional roles in ES provision. The vegetation shows potential to contribute to ES, especially through melliferous species (about 80%), food sources (about 82% for humans; 91% for birds, 91% for small mammals, 87% for domestic animals), and windbreak functions (about 76%). Phytoncide-producing species (about 62%) suggest a potential provision of air quality benefits, while entomophilous species (about 83%) indicate a potential provision of pollination support. Traditional farmsteads support biodiversity conservation, habitat provision, and preservation of genetic resources, particularly through old and rare species. Integrating these systems into agroforestry and biodiversity-friendly practices may increase ecological resilience and balance in intensive farming areas. Recognising traditional farmsteads as biodiversity reservoirs is vital for sustainable land use, and for conserving cultural and natural heritage within agricultural landscapes.

Keywords: agricultural landscapes; woody vegetation; Shannon and Simpson’s diversity index; ecosystem services; tree cover (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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