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ABSTRACT
Spatial configuration of landscape structure significantly influences various
ecological processes and landscape dynamic strongly changes habitat suitability of
species. Ecological landscape planning that account habitat trade-off among species can
provide useful recommendations for decision making in landscape planning, especially in
agricultural ecosystems. We applied a genetic algorithm based spatial optimization tool,
termed Land-Use Pattern Optimisation Library (LUPOlib), to a multi-objective landscape
planning intended to protect three bird species that has distinct habitat preference (Vivid
Niltava, Brownish-flanked Bush-warbler, and Green-backed Tit) in the highland
experimental farm at National Taiwan University (HEF, NTU). Our results showed the
three focal species had distinct and conflict habitat preferences. Vivid Niltava preferred
small patches of forest embedded in the agricultural landscape, Brownish-flanked
Bush-warbler preferred edges of open areas, and Green-backed Tit prefer large patches of
broadleaf forests. We conducted an overlapping analysis of the inferior solutions to
demonstrate the spatial distributions of the irreplaceability of each replaceable land-use
type. The farmlands in the eastside of HEF provided critical habitat for Brownish-flanked
Bush-warbler and thus had high irreplaceability. The west side of HEF was suitable to
restore some small forest patches for Vivid Niltava. Also the broadleaf forests in
southeastern HEF had high irreplaceability and could be improved by restoring broadleaf
forests to connect current forest patches for Green-backed Tit. In conclusion, the
multi-objective analysis can effectively support the decision-making process of landscape
planning with respect to ecological compensation or habitat restoration.
Keywords: Agricultural environments, Landscape Ecological planning, Land-Use
Pattern Optimisation Library (LUPOlib), Multi-objective planning, Conservation
of birds.
(landscape ecology)
(spatial patterns)
(
2001)
(landscape)
(patch)
(corridor)
(matrix) (Forman and Gordon,19862001
2002)
(connectivity)(dominance)
(fractal dimension)
(USEPA, 1994Aspinall and Pearson, 2000
2011)
(landscape modification)
(habitat restoration)
(ecological compensation)
(composition)