Assessment of Road-Induced Landscape Fragmentation and Implications for Landscape Planning: the case of İzmir Province

Authors : Ebru ERSOY

Pages : 699-709

Doi:10.17714/gumusfenbil.544540

View : 14 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2019-10-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Roads are considered as a major environmental problem and one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and landscape fragmentation. Recent evidence suggests that whilst roads generally lead to increasing landscape fragmentation; they also affect the structure and functioning of landscapes through the pollution caused by the vehicles and the acceleration of settlements around road networks. This paper explores the relationship between the presence of roads and landscape fragmentation in the central districts of Izmir province, using landscape metrics at class and landscape level. CORINE land cover (CLC2012) dataset together with Urban Atlas 2012 (UA2012) were used for the delineation of land cover map with and without roads. The analyses were performed in FRAGSTATS 4.2 and ArcGIS 10.5.1. Results illustrated an increasingly fragmented urban landscape with respect to increasing road existence. However, it is important to bear in mind the possible limitations of some landscape metrics when evaluating fragmentation caused by roads. On the other hand, the results of this study emphasise that the number of patches (NP), area-weighted mean patch area (AREA_AM), edge density (ED) and effective mesh size (MESH) seem to be much more robust landscape metric when measuring landscape fragmentation. The paper concludes with important implications and recommendations with a view to informing landscape planning practices for creating opportunities around roads and road networks to support biodiversity and enhance the lives of people. For example, as a practical manner, the creation of roadside vegetation and vegetated verges can reduce the fragmentation effect of road networks and enhance landscape connectivity rather than its fragmentation effect. The care and regular maintenance of these areas will also play an important role in improving landscape quality and promoting biodiversity.
Keywords : Fragmentation, Land cover, Landscape metrics, Roads, Spatial pattern