Evaluation of the Ecological Efficiency of Landscape Protection in Areas of Different Protection Status. A Case Study from Poland

Poland ratified the ELC in 2004 and by 2015 the existing forms of landscape protection constituted a major tool for its implementation. The ecological efficiency of landscape protection in Poland in terms of the different kinds of protection status was evaluated. The main goal was to get general information about the dynamics of the changes in the landscape fragmentation process and the relationships between the landscape changes and the level of landscape protection on a national scale. A set of metrics using a CLC data-set at four points in time: 1990, 2000, 2006 and 2012 were examined. The metrics calculations were completed using FRAGSTATS 4.2.1 and Statistica software. Results confirmed that landscape protection depends on the level of protection assigned to it (the regime). In addition, it was demonstrated that the forms of the protected landscape areas are characterised by lower efficiency and higher landscape fragmentation dynamics when compared to those in unprotected areas. It also turns out that the newly established protection types such as Natura 2000 areas are characterised as insufficient tools to efficiently counteract growing human pressure. Although over 40% of the area of Poland falls under protection, merely 3% of this is characterised by a high efficiency of landscape protection.