Windbreaks are key structural elements in the rural environment and affect the functionality of landscapes in multiple ways. A broad interdisciplinary view on these functions lacks in scientific literature and common knowledge. This led to under informed management decisions, a decrease in the number of windbreaks in wide areas, and a subsequent loss of landscape functionality. Therefore, the knowledge on windbreaks and associated ecosystem services (ES) was systematically reviewed to guide the way for a holistic comprehension of such structural landscape elements. We defined eight bundles of ES on the basis of the Common International Classification of ES scheme. Search terms that allowed to include only vegetative windbreaks consisting of at least one tree row were combined with appropriate search terms for the eight ES bundles in individual searches resulting in a total of 6094 hits. We considered only publications that provided quantitative data and allowed to derive a clear effect of windbreaks on ES so that 222 publications from all over the world were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. The outcomes provide information about the dimension of effort, scientific consensus or dissensus, and knowledge gaps in the different research disciplines involved. It was shown that windbreaks bring predominantly positive effects to landscapes in the course of all investigated ES bundles. Apparent positive effects were found for soil protection, biodiversity and pest control, whereas for biomass production, nutrient and water balance, also adverse or indifferent effects were reported. The present review reveals an intense need for further interdisciplinary research using indicators, ES approaches or similar instruments that enable quantitative and comparable statements about the functionality of windbreaks in rural landscapes.
Various large-scale risk maps show that the eastern part of Austria, in particular the Pannonian Basin, is one of the regions in Europe most vulnerable to wind erosion. However, comprehensive assessments of the severity and the extent of wind erosion risk are still lacking for this region. This study aimed to prove the results of large-scale maps by developing high-resolution maps of wind erosion risk for the target area. For this, we applied a qualitative soil erosion assessment (DIN 19706) with lower data requirements and a more data-demanding revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) within a GIS application to evaluate the process of assessing wind erosion risk. Both models defined similar risk areas, although the assignment of severity classes differed. Most agricultural fields in the study area were classified as not at risk to wind erosion (DIN 19706), whereas the mean annual soil loss rate modeled by RWEQ was 3.7 t ha−1 yr−1. August was the month with the highest modeled soil loss (average of 0.49 t ha−1 month−1), due to a low percentage of vegetation cover and a relatively high weather factor combining wind speed and soil moisture effects. Based on the results, DIN 19706 is suitable for a general classification of wind erosion-prone areas, while RWEQ can derive additional information such as seasonal distribution and soil loss rates besides the spatial extents of wind erosion.
The main goal of this work was to verify the historic data of historic artificial water reservoir Ottergrund, Banská Štiavnica district, which is inscribed in the UNESCO world heritage list. Main focus was set to area-storage capacity curve. There is historic map with the display of reservoir bottom contours and area-storage capacity curve in a paper format. These data were analysed and compared with the results of the calculation of area-storage capacity curve that was performed with the use of a new tool with named "ASC_Curve", which is based on Python script. This tool utilizes ArcPy site package and it works with the TIN model of water reservoir bottom. In case of water reservoir Ottergrund we created the TIN model of the historic bottom; input data for the TIN model creation was the historic contour plan. The results of the analysis have shown that the storage capacity calculated with the use of the developed ASC_Curve tool is 97% of the volume mentioned in the historic map. Analysis has also show the minor mathematical errors in the calculations of the area-storage capacity data in historic contour plan. This tool can also be used also for the analysis of the current storage capacity conditions of the water reservoirs, if the surveying with echosounding equipment is performed to obtain the data to produce the TIN model of the water reservoir bottom.
A sustainable city is designed with consideration on social wellbeing and follows the concept of a circular economy creating the smallest possible ecological footprint and giving emphasis on natural capital restoration and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The aim of an eco-industrial park is to improve the economic performance of the stakeholders while minimizing environmental impact. This feasibility study proposes a formal and aesthetic solution that respects the spirit of place, landscape integration of the infrastructures and demonstrates sustainability techniques in a conceptual level Master Plan of the new industrial park of Tavira. It proposes a multi-modal transportation system solution to decrease the distance travelled by vehicles and coexistence with pedestrian and bicycle traffic. It promotes green infrastructure interconnected with the hinterland green areas and mixed-use multifunctional landscapes. It endorses a decrease in impervious surfaces in car parking and enhances efforts to reduce energy use adopting renewable energy lighting solutions and urban allotments and greenroofs/walls using native vegetation to decrease heat island effects. It recommends compactness of the urbanized areas to save soil and facilitate the integration in the environment. Sustainable landscape design in industrial environment may guarantee quality and prestige living environment.
To analyze wind erosion events in the real terrain conditions, we proposed to construct a prototype of soil particle catcher devices to trap soil particles. With these devices we are able to measure the intensity of wind erosion at six different heights above the soil surface in one location or at three different heights in two places. It is possible to use them for six different places at the same time as well. We performed field measurements to determine the amount of soil particles transported by the wind between 26 th -31 st March 2012. Each measuring took 60 minutes. After this time the soil particle catchers were emptied and further measurements carried out. At the beginning we selected two places for measurement (soil HPJ 16 and 37) at two heights, one above the other. Then we used two measuring systems 40 m apart at two sites (D2 and D4) and the soil captured at two heights (0, 1). The maximum weight of soil particles trapped in measuring system D2 at height (0) was 1242.7 g at a wind speed of 9.6 ms -1. At measurement height (1) the maximum weight was 72.7 g trapped at the same average hourly rate, but during different measurement events. The measuring system at D4 trapped the highest amount of soil at a wind speed of 8.9 ms -1 (1141.7 g) at height (0) and at a speed of 9.3 ms -1 (22.3 g) at height (1). During the measurements with the two basic measuring systems D4 and D2, we measured the wind erosion intensity together with soil particle catchers D1 and D3. D3 was placed between devices D4 and D2, D1 was 20 m ahead D2. Soil particle catchers were placed on the soil surface at height position (0). We measured increasing soil erosion downwind on four locations spaced at 20 m. The results show that with there is an increasing quantity of particles collected as the erosive surface length increases, due to the so-called snowball effect. We analyzed selected trapped soil samples in order to determine the size of the soil particles and their proportion in the sample at different wind speeds. Samples were subjected to aggregate analysis (laser soil particle analyzer FRITSCH ANALYSETTE 22) in order to set the size and percentage of soil particles. Abstrakt Na analýzu veternej erózie v reálnych terénnych podmienkach sme navrhli skonštruovať lapače pôdnych častíc -deflametre. S týmito zariadeniami dokážeme merať intenzitu veternej erózie v šiestich výškach nad pôdnym povrchom na jednom mieste alebo v troch výškach na dvoch miestach. Urobili sme poľné merania na určenie množstva erodovaných pôdnych častíc v čase 26-31. marec 2012. Dĺžka každého merania bola 60 minút. Po uplynutí tohto času boli deflametre vyprázdnené a pokračovalo sa v ďalšom meraní. Na začiatku sme si vybrali dve miesta na meranie (s HPJ 16 a 37) v dvoch výškach. Potom sme merali pomocou dvoch meracích zostáv vo vzdialenosti 40 m (D2 a D4) a častice sme zachytávali v dvoch výškach (0,1). Maximálne množstvo zachytených častíc v deflametri D2 vo výške (0) bolo 1242,7 g pri rýchlosti vetra 9.6 ms -1. Vo výške (1) maximálne množstvo zachyten...
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