A state-and-transition model of Iberian dehesas based on spatial patterns

• Autores: Jesús Caballero, Ángel M. Felicísimo Pérez, Elia María Quirós Rosado
• Localización: Forest systems, ISSN 2171-5068, ISSN-e 2171-9845, Vol. 24, Nº. 2, 2015
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Aim of study: In this study a process based on a Geographic Information System (GIS) is proposed as a tool for analyzing the spatial structure of the Mediterranean dehesa ecosystem.Area of study: Western Peninsular Spain.Material and methods: The method allows a semi-quantitative “state and transitions” (S&T) net that provides original information derived from spatial patterns that cannot be obtained by other means.Main results: This GIS analysis also supplies a spatial basis which complements the conceptual framework of vegetation series successional proposals. Moreover, the proposed method can be a useful tool for understanding landscape changes.Research highlights: Our work proposes not only a descriptive model but also a methodology based on spatial metrics and topological relationships.Keywords: geographic information systems; successional net; landscape management.Abbreviations used: S&T: State and Transition; RFP: Regional Forest Plan.