Naturalizing landscapes

Human or natural actions that significantly alter the erosion resistance of the ground surface can lead to dramatic increases in erosion rates. Channel networks dissect natural landscapes down to a fine-scale limit controlled by a threshold of channel initiation (Montgomery and Dietrich, 1992). In effect, channels begin where sufficient discharge collects to overcome the erosion resistance of the ground surface (Horton, 1945 Montgomery and Dietrich, 1988). Consequently, human or natural actions... 

On a global scale, arable lands occupy 12% of the terrestrial ecosystems, and pastures occupy 25%. On the whole, the agrolandscapes occupy 40% of the Earth s land. At present the most used areas are in the moderate climate zone (25%) and subtropical and tropical ones (18%). To the maximal extent, natural landscapes and their relevant biogeochemical cycles are transformed into agrogeochemical provinces with a predominance of agrogeochemical cycles of many elements in Europe (>30%) and Asia (>20%). 

Solntseva, N. P. (1998). Oil Exploration and Geochemistry of Natural Landscapes. Moscow MSU Publishing House, 1998,376 pp. 

The homeland is a mixture of the natural and the constructed, of seemingly changeless and changing realities. For scientific disciplines, there are different natural landscapes, just as there are different built landscapes. For the physicist in the field of optics, the natural is the beam of light that always is to be found in his or her homeland for the astrophysicist, it is the particular light that... 

The so-called Madison Permission Law in Wisconsin represents another first of its kind, taking the form of an ordinance validating alternative landscaping. Because such landscaping commonly violates municipal weed laws, at least when they are broadly interpreted, this ordinance departs from most all city codes by allowing the creation of any form of natural landscaping, with the approval of a majority of neighbors. ... 

Rappaport, Brett. (1993). As natural landscaping takes root we must weed out the bad laws How natural landscaping and Leopold s land ethic collide with unenlightened weed laws and what must be done about it. The John Marshall Law Review. 26(4). (http // www.epa.gov/greenacres/weedlaws/index.html) (Last accessed February, 2007)... 

Figure 3.3 Options for improving the landscape quality of a farm (Mansvelt and Stobbelaar 1997). (A) Integrate individual trees or woodland into open pastures and fields. (B) Frame fields or field blocks by hedges built up with tree and bush vegetation. Follow natural landscape features (i.e. course of brocks or range of hills) for the implementation of further natural components.

The number of control samples will depend on the amount of variability in the natural landscape (site) under investigation. The minimum number of control samples is 2. In some cases, it will be necessary to establish control site variability and take a number of samples per stratum. 

Fig. 1 Moon and Half Dome, Yosemite National Park (December 28, 1960). The overwhelming beauty of this natural landscape fills us with a sense of awe and admiration. This is a stark contrast to our aesthetic appreciation of the simple elegance of patterns and symmetry. Photograph by Ansel Adams. Copyright 2011 The Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust...

Trash was also a serious issue, both in terms of the practical management of waste disposal and in terms of the image of the community as seen by outsiders. Although dacha residents often carry home small sacks of trash when they return to the city, it is not until the end of the season that most are able to dispose of their rubbish in its entirety. Many residents comment that the process of closing up their dachas at the end of the season is complicated by the fact that they have to hire a car or taxi not just to transport their belongings, but also to carry out the rubbish that has accumulated over the summer. Occasionally there are designated places in the forest where residents can deposit metal or other items. Once these pits become filled, they are covered with dirt and become part of the natural landscape. 

FIGURE 13. Trash heaps like these become part of the natural landscape. 

This Meager Nature Landscape and National Identity in Imperial... 

Team Nature, Landscape and Biodiversity RIVM, Bilthoven, The Netherlands... 

Some land uses associated with parks and golf courses also represent intensive modifications of the natural landscape. The management practices required to... 

Ecotoxicology is the study of the harmful effects of chemicals on ecosystems. Avian ecotoxicology is the subset that concerns itself with the bird component of these ecosystems. Birds have long been considered an important and valued component of the natural landscape because of their visibility, broad geographical distribution, and the wide variety of ecological niches they occupy. Birds feature prominently in terrestrial ecotoxicology. The harmful effects of chemicals on birds are varied in nature. They include effects on general health, survival, and... 

This way Vernadsky (1997, p. 31) comes to the conclusion that scientific thought and the end products of scientific activity turn out to be a lawful part of a natural landscape and an inevitable manifestation of a great natural process having lasted in a regular way for at least two billions of years . 

---