Reconstructing land use drivers and their spatial scale dependence for Costa Rica (1973 and 1984)

摘要: Abstract Costa Rican land use and cover (in 1973 1984) were investigated using a nested scale analysis. Spatial distributions of potential biophysical human use/cover drivers statistically related to the distribution pastures, arable lands, permanent crops, natural secondary vegetation, for 0.1° grid units five artificially aggregated spatial scales. Multiple regression models describing variability have changing model fits varying contributions factors, indicating considerable dependence patterns. The observation that both years each type has its own specific dependencies suggests rather stable scale-dependent system. In Rica two trends between 1984 can be discerned: (a) intensification in urbanized Central Valley surroundings, where agriculture is extended steeper less favourable soils due high population density; (b) expansion remoter areas, extension pastures increased at cost vegetation. This deforestation was not driven by shortage. analysis confirms heterogeneity is, like ecosystem landscape heterogeneity, multiscale characteristic which best described as hierarchical