Numerical assessment of geology and geomorphology in landscape ecological surveys, some examples

Abstract

Landscape ecological surveys are used for mapping landscapes as carriers of natural and cultural ecosystems. Some examples from two regions are briefly discussed. These are: 1) the Upper Arno basin (Tuscany, Italy),2) a Prealpine Flysch area of Switzerland. In the Upper Arno basin different landscapes were recognized on the basis of geological formations. Calculations on the land characteristics of these landscapes resulted in the characterization of correlative complexes and differentiative complexes to characterize and differentiate the mapping units. In the Prealpine landscape of Fribourg (Switzerland), calculations of the 'mutual information values, Im' made it possible to give a quantitative characterization of the land mapping units as correlative complexes. Good correlations were found between the biotic variables and the abiotic and land management variables. Geological formations proved to be major indepent variables in all cases where such differences occurred within a mapping area. One or more geomorphic variables also proved to be independent variables (differentiating characteristics).