Application of the patch – matrix – corridor model in restructuring of the regional system of nature conservation

in Opole voivodeship

Zastosowanie modelu patch – matrix – corridor do przebudowy regionalnego systemu ochrony przyrody województwa opolskiego

Krzysztof Badora

Katedra Ochrony Powierzchni Ziemi, Uniwersytet Opolski, Pl. Kopernika 11a, 45-040 Opole

e-mail: kbadora@uni.opole.pl

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Abstract: Among models used in ecological studies of landscape, the model used most often for delimitation of spatial systems of nature protection is the patch – matrix – corridor model, described e.g. by Formann and Godron [1986] and Forman [1995]. In Poland the model was adopted with modifications e.g. by Chmielewski [1990, 1992]and Kozłowski [1992]. It is used to determine systems of nature protection at different spatial scales, from the national to local level. It is used in analyses of structure and functioning of landscapes of protected areas, in particular – of national and landscape parks. The most important modification of the patch – matrix – corridor model, proposed byChmielewski [1990, 1992] was identification of ecological junctions being centres of biodiversity.The effect of adaptation of the model in research and implementation of nature protection in Poland were e.g. the concept of Econet-Pl [Liro ed., 1995, 1998], delimitation of ecological systems of nature protection in many voivodeships, and a number of management plans of landscape and national parks. Common use of the model in nature protection and spatial development indicates its great importance in systematic nature conservation in Poland.

Key words: nature conservation, patch – matrix – corridor model, protected areas systemSłowa kluczowe: ochrona przyrody, model płatów, matrycy i korytarzy, system obszarów chronionych

Material and methods

Delimitation of the aimed system of protected areas in the Opole voivodship was done based on the method proposed by Chmielewski [1992]. It was preceded by nature and landscape evaluation of the Opole voivodeship based on combined results of evaluation of flora and vegetation cover done by Nowaket al. [2002], of fauna by Hebda et al. [2004], and of landscape diversity by Badora and Badora [2006]. Earlier concepts of spatial system of protected areas [Dubel ed. 1973, Dubel 1974, Parki… 1984, Plan… 1991, 2002, Program… 2003] were considered in the evaluation. Based on this analysis, junctions, patches and ecological corridors of the spatial system were pointed out. Protection of junction areas as nature reserves and landscape parks was proposed, landscape patches and ecological corridors were

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designated as areas of protected landscape. The basis of the delimitation of the system was to achieve spatial connectivity of elements covered with protection.

Results

Spatial arrangement of elements of the aimed system of protected areas in the Opole voivodeship designed according to the patch – matrix – corridor model is presented at figure 1. In table 1 mainelements of the system are listed. It includes in total 35 existing and 20 designated nature reserves, one existing and five designated Natura 2000 sites, three current and two designated national parks, 7 existing and 22 designated areas of protected landscape.

Fig. 1. Aimed system of protected areas of the Opole voivodeship. Source: author.

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Tab. 1. Elements of the system of protected areas of the Opole voivodeship.

Inventory Name of site covered with or designated for protection Junction elements:- nature reserves

- designated nature reserves

- Natura 2000 sites- designated Natura 2000 sites- landscape parks - designated landscape parks

Bażany, Biesiec, Blok, Boże Oko, Cicha Dolina, Dębina, Góra Gipsowa, Góra Św. Anny, Grafik, Jaśkowice, Jeleni Dwór, Kamieniec, Kamień Śląski, Kokorycz, Komorno,Krzywiczyny, Las Bukowy, Lesisko, Leśna Woda, Ligota Dolna, Lubsza, Nad Białką, Płużnica, Prądy, Przylesie, Przyłęk, Przysiecz, Rogalice, Rozumice, Smolnik, Srebrne Źródło, Staw Nowokuźnicki, Śmiechowice, Tęczynów, Złote Bagna Barucice, Brzyniczka, Czapliniec, Góra Szpica, Gwarkowa Perć, Krasiejów, Ligota Dolna, Mała Panew, Nadziejów, Nowy Dwór, Otmuchowskie Błota, Pielgrzymów, Sławniowice, Stawy Niemodlińskie, Stawy Tułowickie, Topiel, Ujście Libawy, Wąwozy Biechowskie, Wilczy Staw, Wilemowice Grądy OdrzańskieForty Nyskie, Góra św. Anny, Góry Opawskie, Kamień Śląski, Ostoja Burgrabicko-SławniowickaGóra św. Anny, Góry Opawskie, StobrawskiDolina Małej Panwi, Stawy Niemodlińskie i Tułowickie

Patchy elements:- areas of protected landscape

- designated areas of protected landscape

Bory Niemodlińskie, Las Głubczycki, Lasy Stobrawsko-Turawskie, Łęg Zdzieszowicki, Otmuchowsko-Nyski, Rejon Wronin – Maciowakrze, Rejon Mokre –LewiceBory Kędzierzyńsko-Kozielskie, Wzniesienia Kozłowicko-Jaworzniańskie

Ecological corridors:- designated areas of protected landscape

Dolina Białej, Dolina Cielnicy, Dolina Grodkowskiej Strugi, Dolina Liswarty i Łomnicy, Dolina Nysy Kłodzkiej, Dolina Opawicy, Dolina Osobłogi, Dolina Potoku Cisek, Dolina Pratwy, Dolina Prosny, Dolina Prudnika, Dolina Przyleskiego Potoku, Dolina Psiny, Dolina Starej Strugi, Dolina Straduni, Dolina Ścinawy Niemodlińskiej, Dolina Świdnej, Dolina Troi, Dolina Widawy, Dolina Wołczyńskiej Strugi

Source: author.

The most important of new junction elements are designated nature reserves, landscape parks and Natura 2000 sites. New patchy elements consist of two designated areas of protected landscape, and ecological corridors include twenty further areas of protected landscape.

Discussion

Typical features of the existing network of protected areas of the Opole voivodeship are: a lack of spatial connectivity between large-scale forms of nature protection, prevalence of weakest forms of legal protection of wildlife and landscape values – areas of protected landscape, and not representing wildlife diversity of the region (regional landscape diversity).

The mosaic structure of natural environment of Opole voivodeship and isolation of areas of the greatest wildlife and landscape values are the reasons why protection of ecological corridors is the greatest problem in organising the system of nature protection. For example, spatial analyses excluded possibility of protecting the Oder river valley, which in many studies is indicated as the main ecological corridor of the voivodeship. Also

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a number of junction elements of the system – existing and designated nature reserves, are islands isolated from landscape parks or areas of protected landscape.

The new system of spatial development of the nature protection, based on the patch – matrix – corridor model, is adapted to the requirement of being representative of the regional diversity of natural landscapes. Key elements of the system optimisation for the area of the voivodeship are: designation of 20 new nature reserves, each of an area of 20-200 ha, enlargement of the Landscape Park of Opawa Mountains by including the fragment of these mountains located south west of Głubczyce and the Region of Mokre-Lewice – being currently the Area of Protected Landscape, designation of the Landscape Park of the Mała Panew River Valley and the Landscape Park of Niemodlińskie and Tułowickie Ponds, establishment of Natura 2000 sites, creation of areas of protected landscape in Paczkowskie Foothills and Strzelińskie Hills region to the south and the north of the existing Otmuchowsko-Nyski Area of Protected Landscape (can be achieved by extending its present boundaries towards the south and the north), enlargement of the Area of Protected Landscape of Stobrawsko-Turawskie Forest by including forest areas of new municipalities of the voivodeship, designation of the Area of Protected Landscape of Prosna River Valley, extension of the Landscape Park of Mt. St. Anna towards the east and the north, designation of numerous areas of protected landscape which would preserve ecological corridors, in particular covering river valleys in the south of the region.

Proper representation of types of landscape in forms of nature protection was achieved by including into the system areas not yet covered with protection. These areas are landscapes of Sudety Foothills, located to the south of the Otmuchowsko-Nyski Low, within municipalities of Głuchołazy, Nysa and Paczków, landscapes of Ziębice Upland, located in the northern part of municipalities Otmuchów, Nysa, in the municipality Kamiennik, and in western areas of municipalities of Skoroszyce and Pakosławice, Landscapes of Woźnicko-Wieluńska Upland within municipalities Praszka, Gorzów Śląski and Rudniki and south-eastern part of Byczyna municipality.

The majority of areas which form the aimed system of protected areas have a character of patches. These are islands of high wildlife values with concentrations of the most natural ecosystems in the region, which are in majority covered with protection. New patches in the system are Kędzierzyn Forests, designated for preservation as the area of protected landscape, and small areas of Oleski district incorporated in the voivodeship in 1998. The new system suggests enlargement of existing patches in many places, such as in the case of all landscape parks and a number of areas of protected landscape. For some patches covered with areas of protected landscapes, the increase of the level of protection in the landscape park is recommended. Good examples are new landscape parks of the Mała Panew River Valley and of Niemodlińskie and Tułowickie Ponds designated at current Areas of Protected Landscape Stobrawsko-Turawskie Forests and Niemodlińskie Forests. Some parts of protected patches were assigned for the Natura 2000 network.

The greatest changes in the spatial organisation of nature protection of the Opole voivodeship consider ecological corridors. Until present no areas protecting ecological corridors have been established. Before 2004 Polish legislation did not provide any form of protection to preserve functions of ecological corridors. The possibility of protecting ecological corridors in the form of areas of protected landscape, introduced by the Act on Nature Protection, gives new possibilities of optimisation of the system. In the area of the voivodeship 20 ecological corridors were designated for protection, including 4 of supra- regional value. All of them cover river valleys. In the Opole voivodeship only in river valleys strips of concentration of natural and semi-natural ecosystems occur, which can serve as corridors between other forms of nature protection.

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Conclusions

1. The analysis of the network of protected areas of the Opole voivodeship with the patch – matrix – corridor model showed that it did not meet the requirements of the system.

2. The network of protected areas is not representative of natural and landscape diversity of the region.

3. The most important new elements of the system of nature protection are 20 ecological corridors designated for being covered with protection as areas of the protected landscape.

4. 20 new nature reserves and 2 landscape parks were proposed, which are crucial junction elements of the system.

5. The main task to optimise existing forms of nature protection is to correct boundaries of existing protected areas, in particular – enlargement of existing landscape parks and nature reserves.

6. Key areas providing spatial connectivity of elements of ecological spatial system are river valleys.

Streszczenie

Przestrzenna sieć obszarów ochrony przyrody województwa opolskiego ukształtowała się pod koniec lat 80. W okresie ostatnich 30 lat nie dokonano w niej istotnych zmian poza powołaniem Stobrawskiego Parku Krajobrazowego i kilku rezerwatów przyrody. Sieć obszarów chronionych województwa nie spełnia warunków systemowości. Brak w niej przestrzennych powiązań między obszarami chronionymi, nie jest też reprezentatywna dla zróżnicowana walorów środowiska przyrodniczego województwa. Znaczna część obszarów o dużych walorach nie podlega ochronie. W wyniku waloryzacji przyrodniczo-krajobrazowej przy zastosowaniu modelu patch – matrix – corridor na terenie województwa wskazano do ochrony w formie obszaru chronionego krajobrazu 20 głównych korytarzy ekologicznych łączących obszary węzłowe i płatowe systemu. Wytypowano 20 rezerwatów przyrody, 2 parki krajobrazowe i 2 obszary chronionego krajobrazu dla zachowania płatów i węzłów ekologicznych.

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