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Spatial Comparative Analysis of Landscape Fragmentation Metrics in a Watershed with Diverse Land Uses in Iran

Author

Listed:
  • Nazila Alaei

    (Watershed Management Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia 57561-51818, Iran)

  • Raoof Mostafazadeh

    (Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran)

  • Abazar Esmali Ouri

    (Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran)

  • Zeinab Hazbavi

    (Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Water Management Research Center, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran)

  • Mearaj Sharari

    (Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 56199-11367, Iran)

  • Guangwei Huang

    (Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Sophia University, Tokyo 102-8554, Japan)

Abstract

Knowledge of landscape fragmentation is known to be important in ecological integrity, hydrological processes, urban planning, sustainable land management, and policymaking. Recent anecdotal studies reveal a need for analytical quantification of landscape fragmentation at different levels. Therefore, the present study was conducted at KoozehTopraghi Watershed, Ardabil Province, Iran, where covers by different land uses/covers, to (a) explore the spatial pattern of landscape fragmentation metrics comprehensively in different scales, (b) distinguish the landscape fragmentation hot spots, and (c) investigate the spatial clustering of landscape fragmentation metrics. The behaviors of 7, 10, and 13 fragmentation metrics concerning three levels of patch, class, and landscape across 36 sub-watersheds were explored using principal component analysis (PCA) and expert elicitation. The Getis-Ord Gi* and local Moran’s I indices were also used to analyze the hot spots and clusters of landscape fragmentation, respectively. The results verified the high degree of spatial variability of the metrics in the three levels of fragmentation analysis. The class-level fragmentation analysis showed that the watershed is characterized by high-fragmented residential land use and low-fragmented dry farming land use. The spatial trend analysis at the landscape level further indicated that sub-watersheds 1, 2, 11, 21, to 26, and 34 to 36, mainly located in lowlands and central parts, allocated better status considering the fragmentation metrics rather than other parts of the watershed. The significant hot spots and high clusters of fragmentation also were distributed in different parts of the watershed in terms of various landscape metrics.

Suggested Citation

  • Nazila Alaei & Raoof Mostafazadeh & Abazar Esmali Ouri & Zeinab Hazbavi & Mearaj Sharari & Guangwei Huang, 2022. "Spatial Comparative Analysis of Landscape Fragmentation Metrics in a Watershed with Diverse Land Uses in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-23, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:14876-:d:969229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Suranga Wadduwage & Andrew Millington & Neville D. Crossman & Harpinder Sandhu, 2017. "Agricultural Land Fragmentation at Urban Fringes: An Application of Urban-To-Rural Gradient Analysis in Adelaide," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Kubacka, Marta & Żywica, Patryk & Vila Subirós, Josep & Bródka, Sylwia & Macias, Andrzej, 2022. "How do the surrounding areas of national parks work in the context of landscape fragmentation? A case study of 159 protected areas selected in 11 EU countries," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
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