Landscape Sustaianability

• urbanization, the process of population concentration in cities, has profoundly altered

natural landscapes, ecosystems, and ecological processes, leading to a range of
environmental challenges.
• urbanization has profoundly disrupted ecological patterns and sustainable flows on our
planet, posing significant challenges to environmental sustainability and human well-being.
Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches that prioritize urban planning,
ecosystem conservation, and sustainable development practices.
Loss of Natural Habitat

• Extent of Habitat Loss: According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), around 50% of the
world's original forests have been cleared or degraded.
• Global Loss of Wetlands: Since 1900, the world has lost around 64% of its wetlands, with
some regions experiencing even higher rates of loss.
• Deforestation: Each year, an estimated 18 million acres (7.3 million hectares) of forest are
lost worldwide, equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute.
• Coral Reef Decline: Coral reefs, often referred to as the "rainforests of the sea," have
declined by over 50% in the past 30 years, primarily due to factors like climate change,
pollution, and overfishing.
• Loss of Grasslands: Grasslands, which cover approximately 25% of the Earth's land surface,
are being lost at a rapid rate due to conversion for agriculture, urbanization, and
infrastructure development.
• Amazon Rainforest: The Amazon Rainforest, often called the "lungs of the Earth," has experienced significant
deforestation due to activities like logging, agriculture (primarily cattle ranching and soy cultivation), and
infrastructure projects. Brazil, home to the largest portion of the Amazon, has seen substantial forest loss in recent
decades.
• Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system located off the coast of Australia,
has been severely affected by coral bleaching events caused by rising sea temperatures due to climate change. This
has led to widespread coral mortality and ecosystem degradation.
• Indonesia's Rainforests: Indonesia's rainforests, particularly those in Sumatra and Borneo, have faced extensive
deforestation and habitat loss due to palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural expansion. This has resulted in
the loss of critical habitat for species like orangutans, tigers, and elephants.
• Everglades in the United States: The Florida Everglades, one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world, has been
significantly altered by drainage and urban development. This has led to habitat fragmentation, loss of biodiversity,
and disruptions to the natural water flow of the ecosystem.
• African Savannas: The savannas of Africa, known for their iconic wildlife species like lions, elephants, and giraffes,
are increasingly threatened by habitat loss due to expanding agriculture, grazing, and human settlements. This puts
pressure on both wildlife populations and local communities dependent on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.
Fragmentation of Ecosystems

• Edge Effects: Fragmentation creates "edges" between different habitat types, which are often subject
to altered environmental conditions such as increased light, wind, and temperature fluctuations. These
edge effects can negatively impact species adapted to specific habitat conditions, leading to changes
in population dynamics and species compositions.
• Isolation of Protected Areas: Fragmentation can isolate protected areas, reducing their effectiveness
in conserving biodiversity. Disconnected habitat patches are more vulnerable to disturbances and less
resilient to environmental changes, undermining conservation efforts.
• Loss of Connectivity: Fragmentation reduces the ability of species to move between habitat patches,
limiting gene flow, dispersal, and colonization. This can lead to increased genetic isolation, reduced
biodiversity, and higher extinction risks.
Altered Hydrological Cycles

• Global Water Use:

• Around 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture, 20% for industry, and 10% for domestic
purposes.
• Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater globally, with irrigation accounting for the majority of water
use in many regions.
• Groundwater Depletion:
• Groundwater provides drinking water for approximately 50% of the global population.
• Over 2 billion people rely on groundwater for their daily water needs.
• Groundwater depletion is occurring at an unsustainable rate in many regions, with groundwater levels
declining faster than they can be replenished.
• Glacial Retreat:
• Glaciers are retreating worldwide at an accelerating pace due to climate change.
• It is estimated that glaciers are losing over 280 billion metric tons of ice per year.
• Glacial melt contributes to approximately 30% of global sea-level rise.
• Sea-Level Rise:
• Global sea levels have risen by approximately 8 inches (20 centimeters) since the late 19th century.
• The rate of sea-level rise has increased in recent decades, with current estimates ranging from 0.1 to 0.2 inches (3 to 5
millimeters) per year.
• Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems, increasing the risk of flooding and erosion.
• Changes in Precipitation:
• Climate change is leading to changes in precipitation patterns worldwide, with some regions experiencing more intense
rainfall and others facing prolonged droughts.
• Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, are becoming more frequent and severe in many parts of the world.
• Impact on Ecosystems:
• Altered hydrological cycles are affecting freshwater ecosystems, including rivers, lakes, wetlands, and riparian zones.
• Changes in water availability and quality are leading to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and ecosystem degradation.
• Aquatic species, such as fish and amphibians, are particularly vulnerable to changes in hydrological conditions.
• Impact on Agriculture:
• Changes in precipitation patterns and water availability are affecting agricultural productivity and food security.
• Droughts, floods, and water scarcity can lead to crop failures, livestock losses, and reduced agricultural yields, threatening
the livelihoods of millions of farmers worldwide.
Air and Water Pollution

• Outdoor Air Quality Index (AQI): The AQI is a standardized metric used to communicate the
severity of air pollution levels to the public. According to the AQI scale:
• AQI values between 0 and 50 are considered "good," indicating minimal health risks.
• Values between 51 and 100 are "moderate," posing some health concerns for sensitive
individuals.
• Values above 100 indicate "unhealthy" air quality, with increasing health risks at higher
levels.
• In many urban areas, especially in developing countries, AQI values frequently exceed
100, reaching levels classified as "unhealthy" or even "hazardous."
• Access to Safe Drinking Water: Despite progress in improving access to safe drinking water,
millions of people still lack access to clean and safe water sources. According to the WHO
and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (JMP), as
of 2021:
• Around 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services.
• Approximately 785 million people rely on unimproved water sources, such as unprotected
wells and surface water.
• An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enter the oceans each year!
Heat Island Effect

• efers to the localized increase in ambient temperature observed in urban areas compared to the
surrounding rural areas as a result of human activities, urbanization, and modifications to the natural
landscape. The effect is primarily caused by the absorption and retention of heat by built surfaces such
as buildings, roads, and pavements, as well as reduced vegetation cover and heat emissions from
vehicles and industrial activities.
• According to research conducted by NASA, the UHI effect can lead to temperature differences of up to
22°F (12°C) between the center of large cities and nearby rural areas.
Loss of Ecosystem Services

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 33% of global soil resources are
degraded due to erosion, salinization, nutrient depletion, and other factors, resulting in
reduced agricultural productivity and food insecurity.
• Loss of pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, due to habitat destruction and pesticide
use threatens the pollination services essential for the production of fruits, vegetables, and
other crops.
• The degradation of wetlands, which provide critical ecosystem services such as water
purification and flood regulation, has resulted in the loss of approximately 64-71% of global
wetlands since 1900.
Social-Ecological Disparities

• Land Tenure and Resource Rights:

• Indigenous peoples and local communities often face challenges in securing land
tenure and resource rights, leading to land dispossession, encroachment by external
actors, and loss of traditional livelihoods. This undermines their cultural identity, social
cohesion, and sustainable management practices.
• Access to Environmental Education and Information:
• Disparities in access to environmental education and information contribute to unequal
awareness and engagement in environmental conservation efforts. Marginalized
communities may lack opportunities for environmental learning and participation in
decision-making processes, hindering their ability to advocate for their rights and
interests.
Climate Change Impacts

• lobal Temperature Rise:

• Since the late 19th century, the average global temperature has risen by about 1.2 degrees Celsius (2.2
degrees Fahrenheit). This increase is attributed primarily to human activities such as burning fossil
fuels and deforestation.
• Extreme Weather Events
• Ocean Acidification:
• The absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) by the oceans is causing ocean acidification, leading to a
decrease in pH levels. This acidification harms marine life, particularly organisms with calcium
carbonate shells or skeletons, such as coral reefs and shellfish.
• Displacement and Migration:
• Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and other climate-related impacts force millions of
people to flee their homes each year, leading to internal displacement and cross-border migration.
• The concept of landscape sustainability has gained prominence, emphasizing the dynamic
relationships between landscape patterns, biodiversity, ecosystem function, ecosystem
services, and human well-being.
• LSS integrates landscape ecology, sustainability science, and related fields to understand
and improve landscape sustainability.
• Landscape sustainability is inherently value-laden, influenced not only by biophysical and
socioeconomic factors but also by the values and perceptions of ecosystem services and
human well-being held by people living in that landscape.
• Definitions of landscape sustainability draw inspiration from various frameworks, including
the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA), sustainability science, and landscape
ecology paradigms.
• The LSS framework highlights the roles of landscape composition and configuration in
influencing the ecology and sustainability of real-world landscapes.
• LSS integrates biophysical/analytical and holistic/humanistic landscape ecological
paradigms, focusing on the landscape scale while considering top-down and bottom-up
influences.
• Landscape pattern plays an active role in affecting and mediating relationships among
biodiversity, ecosystem functions and services, and human well-being within the LSS
framework.
• Landscape Composition and Configuration Impact:
• Land Use and Land Cover Change Impact:
• Climate Change and Environmental Disturbances Impact:
• Socioeconomic Processes and Institutions Impact:
• Impact of Landscape Planning and Governance:
• Influence of Regional and Global Contexts on Landscape Sustainability:
• Utilization of Knowledge for Landscape Planning, Policy-making, and Governance:
• Variety of Landscape Approaches:
• Landscape geography, landscape ecology, landscape conservation,
landscape epidemiology, landscape stewardship, landscape planning,
landscape psychology, and landscape governance are examples of
landscape approaches.
• Each approach emphasizes different aspects of landscapes but shares
the common characteristic of being place-based.
• Within landscape ecology, various approaches exist to study populations,
communities, ecosystems, and human-landscape interactions.
key practices used to achieve sustainability in landscape science:

• Site Analysis and Planning:

• Conducting thorough site

analysis to understand the
ecological characteristics,
natural features, and existing
conditions of the landscape.
• Water Conservation:
• Soil Health Management :
• composting, mulching, and soil amendment with organic matter.
• Native Plant Selection
• low-maintenance choice
• Needs less irrigation
• Adopted to the natural environment
• Supports pollunators
• support local biodiversity by providing
habitat and food sources for native
wildlife.
• Integrated Pest Management
• biological controls, and cultural
practices to maintain pest populations
at acceptable levels. Instead of relying
on peticides and herbicides.

• Green Infrastructure:
• Green roofs (roof gardens)
• permeable pavements
• Bioswales
• Biodiversity Conservation:
• habitat corridors
• wildlife-friendly plantings
• Energy Efficiency: • strategic placement of trees for shade
• Windbreaks.
• passive solar heating and cooling strategies.
• Sustainable Materials Selection:
• recycled content materials,
• sustainably harvested wood,
• permeable paving materials.
Why do we need Landscape ecology?
• Understanding Ecological Patterns and Processes:
• Conservation and Biodiversity Management:
• Ecosystem Services Assessment:
• Sustainable Landscape Planning and Management:
• Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience:
• Urban Ecology and Sustainable Cities:
• Integrated Landscape Management:
What is landscape ecology
• emphasizes landscapes as holistic systems, linking local and global scales in sustainability research.