Hartel Tibor Mihai Eminescu Trust, Seges vár

1. The effect of landscape structure on biodiversity: beyond fragment based spatial and conservation models Hartel Tibor Mihai Eminescu Trust, Segesvár Mountain hay meadows - hot spots of biodiversity and traditional culture – 9 June, 2010

2. Cultural landscapes in Europe “The cultural landscape is an important element of the European identity” (R.H.G. Jongman, 2002, Landscape Research). - high level of biodiversity - high spatial heterogeneity - dynamism - cultural diversity - etc. Balaton-felvidék, Monoszló Varga Anna Szászföld – Neustadt (Újváros) HT Gyimes – Hidegség pataka Varga Anna Hátszeg – Demsus (Demsdorf) Dan Cogalniceanu Bucovina – Alina Ionita

3. Problems: • Increased use of chemicals • Homogenization • Land use intensification • Habitat loss • Land abandonment • Invasive species • Infrastructure, urban development etc. (Donald et al. (2002) – Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment). Piotr Skórka - Poland http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/10946910.jpg

4. About the transferability of patch (island) based spatial and conservation models In intensively used agricultural landscapes... • Binary space: habitatversus matrix • Easy to delineate habitats and populations • Island like protected areas (island biogeography), • Fragment based spatial models perform well • Humans arenotpartof „nature”, • Everything is fixed, • The habitat islands need management, while the “matrix not”. • Land sparing for nature strategy. Matrix Matrix (ex.) somewhere in France...

5. Landscape composition and configuration in binary (i.e. habitatversusmatrix like – „pattern oriented”) landscape. Matrix „Habitat” This is how the human “umwelt” is visualized Matrix Source: http://www.birdlife.org/images/raw/agriculture_spray.jpg

6. In traditionally managed landscapes… Where are you matrix? • The habitatversusmatrix delimitation is not obvious therefore… • …it is not easy to quantify the habitat and landscape effect (of course, there are exceptions…), • The space is fluid, landscape elements are not fixed, • Potentially huge level of resilience, • Ecological memory! • Humans are part of nature, • Wildlife friendly farming strategy Cris – Southern Transylvania Cris – Southern Transylvania • How to delineate habitats and populations to use them as management units for conservation? • What is extinction, colonization, connectivity….?. • The fragment based spatial models does not work. • The “matrix” should be managed

7. Not protected Protected

8. Delineating protected areas: help or destroy biodiversity? SCI SPA

9. Case study: amphibian occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania) Weak landscape effect due to ecologically (close to optimal) conditions assured by low intensity land use

10. Amphibian occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania) Strong pond effects! (Triturus cristatus) 2005 2010

11. Corncrake occurrence in Saxon landscapes (Southern Transylvania) 132 males in an area of 245 sqkm (2005)

12. Occurrence and number of nests in Buteo buteo is influenced only by two variables: • - Arable land cover (in 2 km2 quadrates) • Orchard cover (2 km2 quadrates) • Forest cover – close to significant effects. Moga et al. in prep.

13. Meadows and pastures: many species threatened by land abandonment 2004 2006 2010 2009

14. Malmkrog – Malancrav - Almakerek

15. Alternative, complementing approaches • New challenges for conservation biology! • Space is not always so fragmented as we (humans) perceive it! • The presence of humans in the landscape is not necessarily bad. • Newly proposed spatial models and associated concepts: • Variegation and contour models • Dinamic landscapes – Landscape fluiditity Good umbrella for these: the High Nature Value Landconcept.

16. Variegation, continua and umwelt models, dynamic landscapes and landscape fluidity Gradual changes are considered Allows talking about landscape species Allows the inclusion of concepts like: • (socio-) ecological resilience • Ecological memory • Umwelt „There are as many surrounding worlds as there are animals’’ (Von Üexküll, 1926)

17. Including humans in the formula:High Nature Value farmland (in nutshell) • A HNV are agricultural lands but: • HNV have a high species richness and spatially extent habitats • HNV have high number of protected species • The biodiversity of HNV lands is entirely dependent on the “wildlife friendly” low intensity agricultural works. Therefore, the HNV concept emphasize the importance of traditional agriculture to conserve biodiversity in farmlands.

18. Protected areas and HNV areas in different countries of Europe Protected areas in Turkey (it is not Europe…sorry :D) Protected areas in Spain HNV lands in Spain HNV areas in Turkey Mark Redman, ADEPT, unpubl. data

19. Conclusions (a bit beyond science) • The fragment based spatial ecology and conservation models may not be entirely applicable in CE • The need for new, complementing approaches – with taking humans into consideration. • Big challenge: to integrate agricultural production with nature and not treating them separately • Are we able to manage our social-ecological systems in a sustainable way? Are we willing to do this? How?

20. Special thanks for the following persons for the clever ideas and conversations: Báldi András, Piotr Tryjanowski, Carmen Gil, Öllerer Kinga, Dan Cogalniceanu, Jan W. Arntzen,Joern Fischer. The material of this talk is based on the following work:

21. Thank you for your attention