How Big Is the Real Road-Effect Zone? The Impact of the Highway on the Landscape Structure—A Case Study

Abstract

Roads, due to their large spatial scale, significantly affect the landscape, causing numerous and usually irreversible changes. Due to a lack of consensus among various specialists and varying evidence on the extent of the influence of roads, the present study focused on the clarification of the real range of the effect of roads on the environment, especially the landscape structure. The aim of the study was to assess road-effect zones for different types of land use. The existing sections of the European route E30 in the Wielkopolska region (Poland) were selected for the research. Based on buffer analysis, landscape metrics and statistical analysis, such as cluster analysis and changes in mean and variance, the spatial diversity of the landscape and road-effect zone was characterized. The results indicate the spatial diversity of the landscape structure and the range of impact, which depended on the type of land cover. Therefore, to analyze the road-effect zone, it is necessary to take into consideration not only the variable range of impact due to the type of road or the time of exploitation, but also the different types of land use of areas surrounding the road.

Study on Highway Landscape Environment Assessment and Grading Method

“…Through the investigation of the landscape resources and visual envir area along the highway, the characteristics, sensitivity, carrying capacity, a the landscape environment and the quality of the visual environment are the purpose of establishing basic information about the landscape environ sessment of the highway baseline and the surrounding landscape is shown The best corresponding area is sought for highway landscape eleme scope of planning permission, and finally, the best ecological suitability i land use and management along the highway area [13]. Therefore, the con of a highway landscape environment assessment should include the foll [14].…”

“…Embodying periodicity, regionality and nationality; • Establishing assessment standards from the quality of environmental The best corresponding area is sought for highway landscape elements within the scope of planning permission, and finally, the best ecological suitability is achieved for land use and management along the highway area [13]. Therefore, the content and scope of a highway landscape environment assessment should include the following aspects [14].…”