Effects of policy changes in the last 80 years on LU/LC and ecosystem services: A case study of the Odra River floodplain (Czech Republic)

Riverscapes are degraded and threatened by human activities. We investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics and trends of land use/land cover (LU/LC) and ecosystem services (ES) in the floodplain of the Odra River in the Czech Republic over the last 80 years. Our focus was on: (i) the effects of changing political regimes and environmental policies on changes in LU/LC and ES (agricultural potential, natural flooding, and water provision and quality), and (ii) the effects of the establishment of a protected landscape area (Poodří PLA) on ES over the last 30 years. To assess LU/LC changes, we performed vectorization and categorization using aerial images. For ES assessment, we analyzed the spatial distribution of LU/LC and other characteristics in our study area. Potential agricultural ES showed a decreasing trend, similar to neighboring countries, while natural flood mitigation and water ES increased due to the decline in arable land. Policy assessments revealed significant changes in LU/LC. The Poodří PLA significantly enhanced ES by preserving the riverscape. This research demonstrates the under-researched long-term monitoring of ES, including before and after evaluation of the PLA, and highlights the importance of practical nature conservation for the riverscape ecosystem benefits to human society.