Gradient analysis of landscape variation in Norway

A multitude of landscape characterisation and mapping methods exist, but few methods take into account that landscapes properties vary in a gradual, continuous manner along multiple directions of variation. In this study, we used gradient analytic methods, rooted in ecological continuum theory, to analyse landscape variation throughout Norway. The aim is to explain differences in landscape properties in the simplest possible way, by identifying ‘complex landscape gradients’ (CLGs), i.e. composite gradients of co-occurring landscape elements and properties. We collected data by stratified sampling of 100 test areas (20×20 km), in which we delineated a total of 3966 observation units (landscape polygons 4–30 km²) based on geo-morphological criteria. For each observation unit, 85 landscape variables were recorded. We identified patterns of variation in landscape element composition by parallel use of two multivariate statistical methods, detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and global nonmetric multidimensional scaling (GNMDS).

The analyses revealed that the most important properties explaining differences in total landscape elements composition was location of the landscape relative to the coastline and coarse-scale landform variation. Most landscape elements had distinct optima within specific segments along broad-scale complex-gradients in landscape properties. A tentative landscape-type hierarchy was built by an iterative procedure by which the amount of compositional turnover in landscape-element composition between adjacent types was standardised. Six ‘major landscape types’ were identified based on geomorphological criteria. Within each major type, we identified a unique set of 2–5 important CLGs, representing geo-ecological, bio-ecological, and land use-related landscape variation. Minor landscape types were obtained by combining segments along two or more CLGs.

The study shows that geological diversity, biological diversity and human land-use are tightly intertwined at the landscape level of ecological complexity, and that predominantly abiotic processes control and constrain both biotic processes and human land use.