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GIS applied to landscape valuation and management in coastal areas
Littoral 2004, 20-22 September. Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
GIS applied to landscape valuation and management in coastal areas
Ângela Lomba 1, João Torres 2, Henrique Alves 3 & João Honrado4
1
M.Sc., CIBIO-Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto (Portugal)
angela.lomba@carlosbernardino.com
2
Lic., CIBIO-Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto (Portugal) joao.torres@fc.up.pt
3
Lic., Parque Biológico de Gaia, EM. 4430-757 Avintes (Portugal) hnalves@mail.telepac.pt
4
Ph.D., Faculdade de Ciências & CIBIO-Universidade do Porto. Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto
(Portugal) jhonrado@fc.up.pt
Abstract
In recent years, several methods have been used to achieve a diagnostic method for the con-
servation of coastal areas. With the development of GIS technologies, the close relationship
between geomorphology, vegetation and human pressure in coastal areas has been the subject
of many studies. In this paper, we discuss the application of GIS technologies in the analysis
of vegetation data in order to survey and valuate sand dune habitats in the Mindelo Ornitho-
logical Reserve (ROM), a highly humanized coastal area in North-western Portugal.
1. INTRODUCTION in Mindelo Ornithological Reserve. Plant com-
munities where studied according to the concepts
Coastal areas are sensitive and dynamic systems,
and methods of Integrated Phytosociology (Rivas-
suffering high natural and human pressures that
Martínez, 2002), which can be applied to land-
promote erosion processes. In recent years, sev-
scape valuation in order to establish planning and
eral approaches have been used to address this
conservation measures, and to define the most
critical subject, including geological, geomor-
important conservation areas(Loid, 1994; Asensi,
phological, engineering and biological studies
1990; Costa et al., 1987). Loidi (1994) proposed
(Araújo et al., 2002; Honrado et al., 2002; Loidi,
an algorithm that includes both ecological and
1994)). Recently, natural hazards and strong dune
socio-economical criteria in the analysis and
system destruction alerted both populations and
valuation of natural vegetation. The algorithm is
the scientific community to the need of integrated
applied to each vegetation unit in order to con-
studies. This paper describes a procedure for the
struct a map of phytocoenological value. This
integrated use of several ecological criteria in
map is then used to define important conservation
landscape valuation and management of coastal
areas and to establish priority spots.
areas, using the case-study of Mindelo Ornitho-
logical Reserve (Vila do Conde), a small coastal 2.3 Human impact
area near Porto (North-western Portugal). The destruction of coastal dune systems in the
Atlantic littoral areas of Portugal brought severe
damages to littoral human populations and led to
2. METHODS
the destruction of important ecological values.
Several studies have revealed a close relationship Thus, several engineering structures were con-
between coastal vegetation and landscape distur- structed, aiming to stop coastline regression.
bance (Araújo et al., 2002). In fact, integrated However, some of these structures have clearly
analysis of coastal geoforms and plant communi- contributed to erosion processes and, therefore,
ties allows the establishment of a quite efficient they must be reconsidered within the framework
diagnostic procedure to evaluate the conservation of integrated coastal management studies. Analy-
of littoral areas. sis of land-use evolution patterns is another ap-
2.1 Geomorphology proach used for understanding the impact of hu-
man pressure on coastal dynamics.
Natural geological processes are valuable clues in
the understanding of plant communities within 2.4 Management of geographic data
current landscape patterns. In the coastal zone, GIS technology is nowadays an important tool
geomorphology assumes a central role, because of that allows the analysis of several factors that
the existing relationship between geoforms and affect the landscape and the establishment of
coastal dynamics. Thus, coastal geoforms are models and scenarios for landscape evolution.
indicators of the stability/instability of these frag- Therefore, digital geographic data resulting from
ile systems. The geomorphological characters of the ecological interpretation of aerial photography
the study area were analyzed according to stan- were analyzed using ArcMap® software.
dard methods (Soares de Carvalho & Granja,
2002).
2.2 Vegetation
Data regarding floristic values and plant commu-
nities have been collected during years 2002-2004
1
Littoral 2004, 20-22 September. Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Coastal vegetation and geoforms
A close relationship was observed between the
presence/absence of plant communities and re-
lated geoforms in the area. For example, the
almost complete absence of well developed
formations of sea-couch (Elymus boreo-
atlanticus) was clearly related to the absence of
embryonic dunes resulting from severe erosion.
A significant negative influence of human
pressure on geoforms and vegetation was also
observed, particularly in grey dunes.
3.2 Landscape valuation
Using Loidi’s valuation algorithm (Loidi, 1994),
the conservation value of each cartographic unit,
corresponding to natural habitats as described in
Annex I of EU “Habitats” Directive, was assessed
(figure 1).
Results from this valuation procedure stress the
importance of coastal dune systems and sub-
coastal riparian ecosystems in the area. It is
interesting to note that grey dune vegetation and
riparian galleries are considered priority habitats Figure 2 – Important areas for conservation in the ROM.
by the “Habitats” Directive. Important areas for
the conservation of natural habitats were also
REFERENCES
identified (figure 2), allowing the establishment
Araújo, R., Honrado, J., Granja, H., Pinho, S. &
of management plans based on integrated
Caldas, F. B. 2002. Vegetation complexes of
scientific studies.
coastal sand dunes as an evaluation instrument
of geomorphologic changes in the coastline.
“Littoral 2002”, 337-339. Porto.
Asensi, A. 1990. Aplicacion de la Fitosociologia
a la Evaluación del Territorio. X Jornadas de
Fitosociologia: Granada.
Costa, M., Perez, Mª R. & Soriano, P. 1987. La
Vegetación como Elemento de Diagnostico y
Valoración en la Conservación del Litoral.
Colloques phytosociologiques 15, 281-298.
Honrado, J., Pereira, R., Araújo, R., Santos, G.,
Matos, J., Alves, P., Nepomuceno Alves, H.,
Sousa Pinto, I. & Caldas, F. B. 2002. Classifi-
cation and mapping of terrestrial and inter-tidal
vegetation in the Atlantic coast of Northern
Portugal. “Littoral 2002”, 211-215. Porto.
Loidi, J. 1994. Phytosociology applied to nature
conservation and land management. in Song,
Y., Dierschke, H. & Wang, X, (eds.). Applied
Vegetation Ecology. Proc. 35th Symposium
IAVS in Shangai. East China Normal Univ.
Press.
Rivas-Martínez, S. 2002. Fitosociología
Dinámico-Catenal (Fitosociología Integrada o
Figure 1 – Natural habitats in the ROM. Paisajista). Folia Botanica Matritensis 19, 1-5.
Soares de Carvalho, G. & Granja, H. (2002). Pa-
leogeoformas como suporte da Paisagem
Costeira Actual. Encontro Técnico sobre Con-
servação de Dunas. Conservação dos Sistemas
Dunares. Parque Biológico de Gaia
2
GIS applied to landscape valuation and management in coastal areas
Ângela Lomba 1, João Torres 2, Henrique Alves 3 & João Honrado4
1
M.Sc., CIBIO-Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto (Portugal)
angela.lomba@carlosbernardino.com
2
Lic., CIBIO-Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto (Portugal) joao.torres@fc.up.pt
3
Lic., Parque Biológico de Gaia, EM. 4430-757 Avintes (Portugal) hnalves@mail.telepac.pt
4
Ph.D., Faculdade de Ciências & CIBIO-Universidade do Porto. Rua do Campo Alegre 1191, 4150-181 Porto
(Portugal) jhonrado@fc.up.pt
Abstract
In recent years, several methods have been used to achieve a diagnostic method for the con-
servation of coastal areas. With the development of GIS technologies, the close relationship
between geomorphology, vegetation and human pressure in coastal areas has been the subject
of many studies. In this paper, we discuss the application of GIS technologies in the analysis
of vegetation data in order to survey and valuate sand dune habitats in the Mindelo Ornitho-
logical Reserve (ROM), a highly humanized coastal area in North-western Portugal.
1. INTRODUCTION in Mindelo Ornithological Reserve. Plant com-
munities where studied according to the concepts
Coastal areas are sensitive and dynamic systems,
and methods of Integrated Phytosociology (Rivas-
suffering high natural and human pressures that
Martínez, 2002), which can be applied to land-
promote erosion processes. In recent years, sev-
scape valuation in order to establish planning and
eral approaches have been used to address this
conservation measures, and to define the most
critical subject, including geological, geomor-
important conservation areas(Loid, 1994; Asensi,
phological, engineering and biological studies
1990; Costa et al., 1987). Loidi (1994) proposed
(Araújo et al., 2002; Honrado et al., 2002; Loidi,
an algorithm that includes both ecological and
1994)). Recently, natural hazards and strong dune
socio-economical criteria in the analysis and
system destruction alerted both populations and
valuation of natural vegetation. The algorithm is
the scientific community to the need of integrated
applied to each vegetation unit in order to con-
studies. This paper describes a procedure for the
struct a map of phytocoenological value. This
integrated use of several ecological criteria in
map is then used to define important conservation
landscape valuation and management of coastal
areas and to establish priority spots.
areas, using the case-study of Mindelo Ornitho-
logical Reserve (Vila do Conde), a small coastal 2.3 Human impact
area near Porto (North-western Portugal). The destruction of coastal dune systems in the
Atlantic littoral areas of Portugal brought severe
damages to littoral human populations and led to
2. METHODS
the destruction of important ecological values.
Several studies have revealed a close relationship Thus, several engineering structures were con-
between coastal vegetation and landscape distur- structed, aiming to stop coastline regression.
bance (Araújo et al., 2002). In fact, integrated However, some of these structures have clearly
analysis of coastal geoforms and plant communi- contributed to erosion processes and, therefore,
ties allows the establishment of a quite efficient they must be reconsidered within the framework
diagnostic procedure to evaluate the conservation of integrated coastal management studies. Analy-
of littoral areas. sis of land-use evolution patterns is another ap-
2.1 Geomorphology proach used for understanding the impact of hu-
man pressure on coastal dynamics.
Natural geological processes are valuable clues in
the understanding of plant communities within 2.4 Management of geographic data
current landscape patterns. In the coastal zone, GIS technology is nowadays an important tool
geomorphology assumes a central role, because of that allows the analysis of several factors that
the existing relationship between geoforms and affect the landscape and the establishment of
coastal dynamics. Thus, coastal geoforms are models and scenarios for landscape evolution.
indicators of the stability/instability of these frag- Therefore, digital geographic data resulting from
ile systems. The geomorphological characters of the ecological interpretation of aerial photography
the study area were analyzed according to stan- were analyzed using ArcMap® software.
dard methods (Soares de Carvalho & Granja,
2002).
2.2 Vegetation
Data regarding floristic values and plant commu-
nities have been collected during years 2002-2004
1
Littoral 2004, 20-22 September. Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Coastal vegetation and geoforms
A close relationship was observed between the
presence/absence of plant communities and re-
lated geoforms in the area. For example, the
almost complete absence of well developed
formations of sea-couch (Elymus boreo-
atlanticus) was clearly related to the absence of
embryonic dunes resulting from severe erosion.
A significant negative influence of human
pressure on geoforms and vegetation was also
observed, particularly in grey dunes.
3.2 Landscape valuation
Using Loidi’s valuation algorithm (Loidi, 1994),
the conservation value of each cartographic unit,
corresponding to natural habitats as described in
Annex I of EU “Habitats” Directive, was assessed
(figure 1).
Results from this valuation procedure stress the
importance of coastal dune systems and sub-
coastal riparian ecosystems in the area. It is
interesting to note that grey dune vegetation and
riparian galleries are considered priority habitats Figure 2 – Important areas for conservation in the ROM.
by the “Habitats” Directive. Important areas for
the conservation of natural habitats were also
REFERENCES
identified (figure 2), allowing the establishment
Araújo, R., Honrado, J., Granja, H., Pinho, S. &
of management plans based on integrated
Caldas, F. B. 2002. Vegetation complexes of
scientific studies.
coastal sand dunes as an evaluation instrument
of geomorphologic changes in the coastline.
“Littoral 2002”, 337-339. Porto.
Asensi, A. 1990. Aplicacion de la Fitosociologia
a la Evaluación del Territorio. X Jornadas de
Fitosociologia: Granada.
Costa, M., Perez, Mª R. & Soriano, P. 1987. La
Vegetación como Elemento de Diagnostico y
Valoración en la Conservación del Litoral.
Colloques phytosociologiques 15, 281-298.
Honrado, J., Pereira, R., Araújo, R., Santos, G.,
Matos, J., Alves, P., Nepomuceno Alves, H.,
Sousa Pinto, I. & Caldas, F. B. 2002. Classifi-
cation and mapping of terrestrial and inter-tidal
vegetation in the Atlantic coast of Northern
Portugal. “Littoral 2002”, 211-215. Porto.
Loidi, J. 1994. Phytosociology applied to nature
conservation and land management. in Song,
Y., Dierschke, H. & Wang, X, (eds.). Applied
Vegetation Ecology. Proc. 35th Symposium
IAVS in Shangai. East China Normal Univ.
Press.
Rivas-Martínez, S. 2002. Fitosociología
Dinámico-Catenal (Fitosociología Integrada o
Figure 1 – Natural habitats in the ROM. Paisajista). Folia Botanica Matritensis 19, 1-5.
Soares de Carvalho, G. & Granja, H. (2002). Pa-
leogeoformas como suporte da Paisagem
Costeira Actual. Encontro Técnico sobre Con-
servação de Dunas. Conservação dos Sistemas
Dunares. Parque Biológico de Gaia
2