Changes in land use, increasing of agricultural areas to the detriment of wooded ones, and poor management of agricultural land, along with the impact of current changes in the climate (reflected in the increase of the climate aggression index) makes soil erosion one of the main risks associated with improper land use, with a direct impact on its productivity and an indirect impact on human beings. The aim of this study is to assess the risk induced by surface soil erosion on land use, using as our main method of investigation the development of two models of integrated spatial analysis of the territory: a derived model of the universal soil loss equation (USLE) and a qualitative model that integrates the result of soil erosion assessment with the database representing the land use. This was carried out in order to highlight the impact on the territory. The spatial analysis models were developed on a structure of vector spatial databases, through which the soil type, soil texture, climate aggression coefficient, and land use were mapped, and alphanumeric databases, representing the market cost of land, in EUROs, that highlight the quality of cultivated land (in terms of productive economic potential). The induced risk estimation is based on a qualitative rating of soil erosion vulnerability on a scale from 1 to 5 (1-low vulnerability; 5-high vulnerability) and of the reduction of the economic value of the land (according to the vulnerability rating). The implemented methodology highlights the quantitative risk, with a maximum value of about 46.000 EUROs, spatially identified on large surfaces on the outskirts of the Jibou municipality. It is mainly caused by the impact of soil erosion on large areas of orchards, which provide necessary products for human consumption. The present methodology can be implemented on similar areas and can be used as a model of good practices in risk assessment based on financial losses by local public authorities.
Multifunctional landscapes are complex systems that integrate biophysical, cultural-historical and socio-economic components into unique territorial structures and regional ensembles. Facing increasing pressures generated by urbanization, climate change and overexploitation of natural resources, assessing the sustainability of these landscapes has become an urgent priority. The present research is based on the development and parametrization of a new tool for evaluating the sustainability of multifunctional landscapes that aims to measure the level of biocultural resilience of a landscape, integrating biological, cultural and socio-economic indicators in a single analytical framework. This index, called the biocultural resilience index (BRI), provides a holistic perspective on the dynamics of landscapes, allowing the identification of vulnerability areas and the development of conservation and sustainable management strategies. The evaluation of the of multifunctional landscapes sustainability requires a comprehensive approach that has to integrate both biological aspects, such as biodiversity and ecosystem health, as well as identity and cultural aspects, such as cultural value and the relationship of the local communities with the environment. In this context, this study highlights the fact that the development of appropriate tools and methods for assessing and monitoring the sustainability of multifunctional landscapes becomes essential for their sustainable management and for protecting the benefits they offer to society. Our findings show that the biocultural resilience index (BRI) can be used in a variety of contexts and fields, including spatial planning, biodiversity conservation, sustainable rural development and ecotourism. In the meanwhile, this index offers a robust and flexible analytical framework, adaptable to the needs and particularities of different regions and communities.