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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The spatial structure of the landscape and ecological system of nature protection in the Upper Oder Valley

subject

description

The study evaluates the spatial structure of the landscape in the Upper Oder valley along a section of about 100 km. It is a part of the valley with the strongest anthropopressure. According to the theory of ecosystem services, one of the functions of the Oder valley landscape is protection of its biodiversity. It is fulfilled by protecting valuable relicts of pristine ecosystems of the valley and by ensuring the function of an ecological corridor. The most important in it are riparian forests and oak-hornbeam forests, meadows, swamps, peatbogs and old river beds. The spatial structure of the landscape within the test section of the Oder valley is characterized by a considerable mosaic. The main factor determining the variation in the structure of the landscape is the given type of use: the arable land which dominates here poses the main barrier and threat to the ecological corridor. To protect the nature and landscape assets of the studied section of the Oder valley several forms of nature conservation such as protected landscape areas, nature reserves, “Natura 2000” areas were established. The study identifies the structure of the nature which deserves protecting, and also elements of the ecological corridor that should be preserved or built to perform the function of an ecological corridor connecting protected areas. The primary form which has been proposed to protect the ecological corridor is the Protected Landscape Area of the Upper Oder Valley. There have been 17 zones of ecological areas and 3 landscape-nature complexes proposed for areas which display especially strong natural character.