Wenche Dramstad
Head of Department/Head of Research
(+47) 906 44 113
wenche.dramstad@nibio.no
Place
Ås O43
Visiting address
Oluf Thesens vei 43, 1433 Ås
Attachments
CVBiography
Abstract
The study focuses on ecosystem services, historical aspects, and natural diversity. Specifically, it assesses possible proxies for investigating a set of cultural ecosystem services from the Norwegian agricultural landscape. Agricultural areas on the Norwegian land cover map surrounded by a 100 m wide buffer zone were analyzed for recorded historical buildings, cultural heritage sites, red-listed vascular plant species (defined as being at varying degrees at risk of extinction), and red-listed nature types (defined as endangered or vulnerable). The results indicate significant contributions from agricultural landscapes with respect to historical buildings, cultural heritage sites, and red-listed plant species. Regarding red-listed nature types, the contributions were diverse. The ecosystem proxies investigated showed increasing distribution trends with increasing proportions of agricultural landscapes in the spatial units, with a sharp increase with smaller area sizes. However, for cultural heritage sites the trend was different when the proportion of the agricultural landscape was below 25%; it showed a very slow increase. In conclusion, the study highlights the agricultural landscape’s diverse contributions to the investigated ecosystem services in Norway, prompting the need for further research on additional ecosystem services to ensure the continued delivery of environmental and social well-being.
Abstract
Landscape ecology is repeatedly described as an applied science that can help reduce the negative effects of land-use and land-use changes on biodiversity. However, the extent to which landscape ecology is in fact contributing to planning and design processes is questioned. The aim of this paper is to investigate if and how landscape ecology can be integrated in a planning and design process, and to uncover possible problems that, e.g., landscape architects and planners, may face in such processes. Our conclusion, based on a case study from Asker municipality, Norway, is that such a landscape ecological approach has a lot to offer. However, it is difficult to exploit the potential fully for different reasons, e.g., biodiversity information tends to be specialized, and not easily used by planners and designers, and landscape ecological principles need an adaptation process to be applicable in a real-world situation. We conclude that for the situation to improve, landscape ecologists need to ease this process. In addition, we recommend collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, preferably with a common design concept as a foundation.
Authors
Martina Fernandez-Campo Beatriz Rodríguez-Morales Wenche Dramstad Wendy Fjellstad Emilio R. Diaz-VarelaAbstract
The main objective of this work was to analyse how increased harvesting for bioenergy production might affect other Ecosystem Services (ES) in two Norwegian municipalities (Ringsaker and Voss). The aim was to identify locations where synergies or conflicts between ES could be expected. The spatial distribution of eight different ES (3 provision, 3 regulation and 2 cultural services) was modelled using information provided by land use spatial databases and additional data sources. Model parameters were set by integrating existing research and expert knowledge. Maps showing the level of provision of ES were analysed using a moving window to analyse scale dependence in the spatial distribution of ES provision. Map algebra was then used to identify areas providing multiple ES, thus defining the most important areas on which to focus the management of both synergies and trade-offs. Finally, specific ‘binary bundles’ maps, where bioenergy provision was compared with each of the other ES, were developed. The methodology proved its utility to assess the compatibility of bioenergy uses with other services. This straightforward approach is readily replicable in other regions and can be used as a decision support tool for planning and designing provision areas, and to ensure sustainable forest management approaches.
Authors
Wenche DramstadAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Authors
Wenche Dramstad Wendy Fjellstad Geir-Harald Strand Henrik Forsberg Mathiesen Gunnar Engan Jogeir N. StoklandAbstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
Gjengroing av område som tidlegare vart slått eller nytta som beite er ein av årsakene til at seminaturlege naturtypar er raudlista. Dette er ein stor trugsel for arter som til dømes solblom, dragehode og mogop.
Popular science article – Grå arealer i Østfold 13. desember 2024
Svein Olav Krøgli, Wenche Dramstad
Abstract
No abstract has been registered
Abstract
In modern agricultural landscapes, «the green in between» plays a crucial role in supporting the survival of many plant and animal species. These areas include field margins, grassy banks between fields, mid-field islands of uncultivated vegetation, rocky outcrops, fallow land, and other patches of unused ground. We surveyed vascular plant species in these green spaces and compared the results with a similar survey conducted 18 years earlier. Our findings reveal a general decline in species richness, including many plants important for pollinators. Nevertheless, numerous green patches remain species-rich and continue to provide valuable resources for pollinators. Among these, road verges stood out as the most diverse. This suggests that active management of the green in between—such as removing invasive species and implementing regular mowing to maintain flower-rich patches—could significantly enhance its value for wildlife and biodiversity conservation.