Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Remote Sens.
Sec. Land Cover and Land Use Change
Volume 5 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/frsen.2024.1497454

Implications for Conservation Zoning in Teiči Strict Nature Reserve Due to Land Use and Cover Change

Provisionally accepted
Janis Krumins Janis Krumins *Maris Klavins Maris Klavins Karina Stankevica Karina Stankevica
  • University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    This study investigates land use and land cover changes in the Teiči Strict Nature Reserve, Latvia, from 1982 to 2023 and models potential future changes based on four legislative scenarios extending to 2064. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of existing conservation zoning in relation to historical and projected changes in land use and land cover, addressing the ongoing debate between fixed and adaptable conservation strategies. The study employs remote sensing imagery, geographical information system data, and land use and land cover modeling methods to analyze historical changes and predict future trends. The results suggest substantial land use and land cover changes over the past four decades, including intensified urbanization, agricultural expansion, and a decline in peat bogs and forested areas. Scenario projections indicate that continued land use and land cover changes could further challenge the efficiency of current conservation strategies, with varying outcomes depending on legislative measures and climate change impacts. The study concludes that adaptive management and variable conservation zoning are necessary to address these dynamic changes and preserve the reserve's ecological integrity. The results emphasize the importance of integrating predictive modeling into conservation planning to improve flexibility and sustainability in protected areas.

    Keywords: Conservation zoning, land use and land cover modeling, Nature reserves, protected areas, Scenario modeling, remote sensing

    Received: 17 Sep 2024; Accepted: 18 Nov 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Krumins, Klavins and Stankevica. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Janis Krumins, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.