Using environmental metrics to describe the spatial and temporal evolution of landscape structure and soil hydrology and fertility

In this work a methodology using Geographical Information Systems was developed and applied to a temporal series of land cover layers (for the years 1956, 1978, 1991 and 2010) in the municipality of Vall d’Uxó, Eastern Spain. Four types of metrics were implemented (1) spatial representation of the degree of artificialisation, (2) patchiness and fragmentation, (3) fertility dynamics of soils according to their land capability, and (4) soils imperviousness and loss of water retention capacity. Results showed that the set of metrics can efficiently represent spatial and temporal dynamics. Furthermore, a link can be distinguished between trends in the degree of artificialisation, landscape structure and soil fertility and water retention properties for the region analysed.