| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64.53 KB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The present study sought to evaluate land cover evolution between 1995 and 2009, within the
Mata Nacional of Peneda Geres (Portugal). This study was based on Landsat TM images
classification and GIS procedures, such as Land Change Modeller approach. Landscape
diversity and structural changes were analysed by means of Mean Shape Index, Shannon’s
Diversity Index and Patch analysis, in order compare landscape metrics and to calculate land
cover dynamics. The achieved results enable to state that land cover classes presented
significant structural changes. The most significant changes occur in the land cover classes of
Pinus pinaster; Quercus robur; Acacia dealbata; and shrub land. The most worrying result was
achieved for the Acacia dealbata, which presented a strong invasive behaviour. Landscape
metric analysis showed a significant stratification increasing and a dramatic reduction of patch
surfaces. In spite of spatial changes observed, the achieved biodiversity indexes are very alike
for both dates.
Description
Keywords
Landscape ecology Spatial patterns analysis Changes prediction Landsat 5 TM Gerês
Citation
Publisher
João Carlos Azevedo, Manuel Feliciano, José Castro & Maria Alice Pinto