Determining the presence and connectivity of non-forest greenery on the land consolidated area

Abstract

Land consolidation is aimed at improving conditions for agricultural production. The improvement is reflected in the grouping of scattered and distributed agricultural allotments into larger parcels. New plots are of regular shape, suitable for the application of modern agricultural machinery, with direct access to the network of field roads. In order to form suitable plots in grouped ownership it is necessary to perform clearcutting of almost all forms of non-forest greenery, because it represents an obstacle for land consolidation. The presence of non-forest vegetation in the area with a large percentage of arable farmland is of great importance. Functions of non-forest greenery are reflected in the protection of soil from drying out and wind erosion, conservation of biodiversity and landscape outlook. This paper presents the possibility of determining the presence and connectivity of non-forest vegetation using Google Earth satellite imagery. Identified areas under non-forest vegetation are classified as point, line and surface elements. Presence, interconnectivity and spatial distribution of non-forest vegetation have been determined by using a geographic information system on land consolidated area of the municipality of Ada. The state that was registered using satellite images was compared to the condition which would be obtained after the realization of a project of establishing windshield belts.

Keywords

• land consolidation
• non-forest greenery
• geographic information system