The methodology and applications of Agricultural Landscape monitoring in Estonia Kalev Sepp, Institute of Environmental Protection Estonian Agricultural University

Proposed concept of landscape monitoring program in Estonia

The main purposes of the agricultural monitoring programme were defined as follows To follow up and evaluate the environmental effects of land and agricultural reforms To define changes in land use structure in the different type of agricultural landscapes (intensive and extensive land use) To study changes in land cover types, especially fallow land and semi-natural areas To explain the connection between landscape structure indicators and the characteristics of ecological status of agricultural landscapes

Conceptual scheme of agricultural landscape monitoring programme

Monitoring of agricultural landscapes Spatial structure of landscape aerial linear point Historical overview of landscape change Level of human pressure earthworms epigenic fauna of soils soil-microorganisms bumblbees

Test areas Regional distribution according to the Estonian landscape regions Distribution all over the country Intensive and extensive areas as well as marginal areas of agriculture Availability of additional data Good relation to other sites of environmental monitoring Localities were divided into two groups intensively used agricultural areas (IUAA) extensively used agricultural areas (LIUAA)

Examples from landscape pattern analysis buffer zones <5m buffer zones >5m ecotones between cultivated land and broad- leaved forests ecotones between cultivated land and mixed or coniferous forests ditches and brooks arable land semi-natural grasslands fallow land mixed forests coniferous forests broad–leaved forests bushes wetlands cultivated grasslands pastures legumes

Methods of studying human pressure on agricultural land The following earthworm and soil microbial community parameters were described: · number of individuals and species of earthworms (Lumbricidae) per 1 m 2; · maximum dominance in earthworm community (%); · diversity of soil microbial and earthworm communities; · total hydrolytical activity of soil microorganisms; · the number of colony forming microorganisms per 1 g of dry soil.

Methods for analysing the landscape diversity changes in monitoring areas Time period - over the last 50 years Time sections 1950–1955; 1970–1975; 1995–1999 Black-and-white interpreted aerial photos in the scale of 1: were used. Aerial photos were scanned by AGFS scanner (A3) and transformed using the software ARC/Info. Scanned aerial photos were vectorised and encoded in the environment of the software MapInfo and GeoGraphics. Classification included different polygon elements (e.g. arable lands, forests, grasslands, waters, bushes and brushwood, other lands).

The main objectives of the research To investigate the relationship between the landscape structure and the abundance and composition of indicator species - bumble bees To develop a general concept of agricultural landscape monitoring in Estonia

Methods for bumblebee studies in agricultural landscapes 1.Counts were carried out in nine localities localities in Localities were divided into two groups 1. intensively used agricultural areas (IUAA) (the percentage of arable land was >65%) 2.extensively used agricultural areas (LIUAA) (the percentage of arable land was <45%). 3.Each locality included two transects (2×1,000 m) 4.Both transects were divided into 20×2 m plots 5.Transects were observed regularly from July to August

Methods for bumblebee studies in agricultural landscapes Counts were made by the same observer on the same day in the weather conditions optimal for bees The following information was recorded each time :  bumblebee individuals were encountered  species and cast  food plant(s) foraged Study areas (1200 ha each) were mapped on the land use plan in scale 1: 10,000

Statistical analysis of data sets Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the landscape elements and the bumble bee species found was carried out The results of PCA are interpreted using scatters of the site scores connected with group centroids (star plot), and via correlation circles The effect of the grouping factor was estimated using a multivariate randomisation test (Manly, 1995) with 1,000 permutations The influence of landscape structure on bumble bee communities was studied with co-inertia analysis

PCA based on the regional bumble bee distribution IUAA LIUAA B. veteranus B. pratorum IUAA LIUAA The first and second principal components described 30.9% and 18.7% of the overall data variation, respectively

PCA based on landscape elements LIUAA IUAA PCA on landscape elements matrix described 28.7%, 21.9% and 19.8% of the overall data variation wetlands cultivated grasslands arable lands

Results of co-inertia analysis The permutation test revealed that the co-structure between the data sets of landscape elements and bumble bee species was highly significant (P<0.001) The correlation coefficients between the two new sets of co-ordinates for the first and second axes of the co-inertia analysis were 0.87 and 0.97, respectively

The most important elements of landscape and bumblebee species defining the first two factors of the co-inertia analysis

Conclusion The correlation circle of the bumble bee species found demonstrated that the species relevant to the grouping of study sites into IUAA and LIUAA were B. pratorum (7) B. sylvestris (9) B. lapidarius (1) B. veteranus (4)

Conclusion The species composition and abundance of bumble bees was to a great degree determined by landscape structure The permutation test revealed that the co-structure between the data sets of landscape elements and bumble bee species was highly significant (P<0.001) The correlation coefficients between the two new sets of co-ordinates for the first and second axes of the co-inertia analysis were 0.87 and 0.97, respectively Bumble-bees can be use as bio-indicators for evaluation natureless of agricultural landscapes