Geography and Urban Research

The structure of the urban ecology of Urmia using landscape metrics

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Rasoul Ghorbani 1
Pooran Karbasi 2

1 a. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Planning and Environmental Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

2 b. Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.22130/gur.2025.2052635.1014
Abstract
The landscape refers to the spatial structure and organization of natural and human elements in a region, shaped by human activities and natural processes. Metrics serve as key analytical tools in assessing and measuring the characteristics and performance of the landscape. This research examines the ecological structure of the city of Urmia, emphasizing the concept of landscape and its metrics, in order to propose corrective actions for improving its ecological processes. To identify the components of the landscape of Urmia, land use maps were utilized. Subsequently, for data modeling, landscape metrics (CA, NP, MPS, MSI, ED, SHEI, SHDI) were analyzed using the Patch Analyst extension. Finally, after hexagonal grid mapping of the area using a patch grid, the desired metrics for the hexagonal networks were calculated. The results obtained from the metrics indicate that the increase in distance and dispersion of patches, along with the reduction of their ecological connectivity, has led to fragmentation and a decrease in the integrity of the green space in the city of Urmia. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the use of landscape metrics can help identify the challenges and opportunities present in the sustainability of green spaces and improve the quality of life for residents.

Keywords

landscape
metrics
urban ecology
Urmia
1.       Abdullah, S.A., & Nakagoshi, N. (2006). Changes in Landscape Spatial Pattern in Highly Developing State of Seangor, Peninsular Malaysia.  Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning, 77(3), 263- 275. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2005.03.003
2.       Bierregaard, R. O., Gascon, C., Lovejoy, T. E., & Mesquita, R. (2001). Lessons from Amazonia: the ecology and conservation of a fragmented forest. Yale University Press.
3.       Botequilha, A., & Ahren, J. (2002). Applying Landscape Ecological Concepts and Metrics in Sustainable Land-Scape Plannin. Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning, 59(2), 65-93. 10.1016/S0169-2046(02)00005-1
4.       Chen, Z., Yu, S., You, X., Yang, C., Wang, C., Lin, J., Wu, W., & Yu, B. (2023). New nighttime light landscape metrics for analyzing urban-rural differentiation in economic development at township: a case study of Fujian province, China. Appl. Journal of Geography, 150(30), 102-112. 10.1016/j.apgeog.2022.102841
5.        De Barros Ferraz, S.F., Vettorazzi, C.A., Theobald, D.M., & Balleste, M.V.R. (2005). Landscape Dynamics of Amazonian Deforestation between 1984 and 2002 in Central Rondonia, Brazil: Assessment and Future Scenarios. Journal of Forest Ecology and Management, 204(35), 69-85. 10.1016/j.foreco.2004.07.073
6.        Ersoy, E., Jorgensen,A., & Warren, P. H. (2019). Identifying multispecies connectivity corridors and the spatial pattern of the landscape. Journal of Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 40(17), 308-322. 10.1016/j.ufug.2018.08.001
7.       Forman, R.T.T. (1995). Some general principles of landscape and regional ecology. Journal of Landscape Ecology, 10(3), 133-142. 10.1007/BF00133027
8.       Hedayat, S. M., Davodpour, Z., & Zaker Haghighi, K. (2023). Detection and simulation of land use changes in the new city of Pardis with Landscape Metrics by 2040. Journal of Geographical Engineering of Territory, 7(2), 461-476. 10.22034/jget.2023.160270 [in Persian]
9.       Herrero-J´auregui, C., Arnaiz-Schmitz, C., Herrera, L., Smart, S.M., Montes, C., Pineda, F. D., & Schmitz, M.F. (2018). Aligning landscape structure with ecosystem services alongan urban–rural gradient. Trade-offs and transitions towards cultural services. Landsc: Ecol.
10.    Herzog, F., & Lausch, A. (2001). Supplementing land-use statistics with landscape metrics: Some methodological consideration. Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 72(1), 37- 45. 10.1023/A:1011949704308
11.    Hesselbarth, M.H., Sciaini, M., With, K.A., Wiegand, K., & Nowosad, J. (2019). Landscape metrics: an open-source R tool to calculate landscape metrics. Journal of Ecography, 42(10), 1648–1657. 10.1111/ecog.04617
12.    Higgins, S., Mahon, M., & McDonagh, J. (2012). Interdisciplinary interpretations and applications of the concept of scale in landscape research. Journal of Environ Manage, 113(21), 137–145. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.08.027
13.    Hou, L., Wu, F., & Xie, X. (2020). The spatial characteristics and relationships between landscape pattern and ecosystem service value along an urban-rural gradient in Xi’an city, China. Journal of Ecological Indicators, 108(19), 1-17. 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.105720
14.    Jiang, W., Wu, T., & Fu, B. (2021). The value of ecosystem services in China: a systematic review for twenty years. Journal of Ecosyst, 52(12), 101-121. 10.1016/j.ecoser.2021.101365
15.    Jim, C.Y., Sophia, S., & Chen, C. (2003). Comprehensive green space planning based on landscape ecology principles in compact Nanjing city. Journal of China Landscape and Urban Planning, 65(3), 95-116. 10.1016/S0169-2046(02)00244-X
16.    Kaviani, A., Farhoodi, R., & Rajabi, A. (2015). Analysis of Urban Growth Pattern in Tehran City by Landscape Ecology Approach. Journal of Geographical Urban Planning Research (GUPR), 3(4), 407-429. 10.22059/jurbangeo.2015.57410 [in Persian]
17.    Lee, Y.C., Ahern, J., & Yeh, C.T. (2015). Ecosystem services in peri-urban landscapes: the effects of agricultural landscape change on ecosystem services in Taiwan’s western coastal plain. Landsc. Journal of Urban Plan, 139(91), 137–148. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2015.02.023
18.    Li, H., Fernandez, S.J., & Ganguly, A. (2014). Racial Geography, Economic Growth and Natural Disaster Resilience. Journal of Geography and Natural Disasters, 4(2), 1-15.
19.    Liu, T., & Yang, X. (2015). Monitoring land changes in an urban area using satellite imagery. GIS and landscape metrics. Journal of Applied Geography, 56(13), 42-54. 10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.10.002
20.    Matsushita, B., Xu, M., & Fukushima, T. (2006).Characterizing the Changes in landscape structure in the Lake Kasumigaura Basin, Japan using a high quality GIS dataset. Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning, 78(3), 241-250. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2005.08.003
21.    Naseri, N., Hyesteh, K., & Ildoromi, A. (2019). Analysis of Land Use Changes in Malayer County Using Landscape Metrics. Journal of Environmental Science Studies, 4(4), 2114-2122. [in Persian]
22.    Weng, Y.C. (2007). Spatiotemporal Changes of Landscape Pattern in Response to Urbanization. Journal of Landscape and Urban Planning, 81(4), 341-353. 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2007.01.009
23.    Xu, Q., Wang, W., & Mo, L. (2018). Evaluation of landscape stability in Beijing-Tianjin- Hebei region. Journal of Acta Ecol. Sin, 38(11), 4226–4233. 10.5846/stxb201801110087
24.    Yuhong, T., Jimb, C.Y., Yan, T., & Shid Tao, S. (2011). Landscape ecological assessment of green space fragmentation in Hong Kong. Journal of Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 10(2), 79–86. 10.1016/j.ufug.2010.11.002
Geography and Urban Research
Volume 2, Issue 2
Summer 2025
Pages 35-47

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Reviewers

Contact Us