Based on the spatial scale, authors distinguish several levels of biodiversity: α diversity (for an ecosystem), ß diversity (for ecosystems within a complex), γ diversity (for a regional complex of ecosystems), and δ diversity (for a macro-regional complex of ecosystems). Taking into account this “diversity of diversities”, the paper recommends a hierarchy of methods that could be used to assess the impact of urban and spatial plans on biodiversity.

Clime change represents an important issue for the scientific community regardless of the specific field of study due to the environmental effects and impacts on the economy (especially agriculture) and human communities. The environmental impacts include the loss of biodiversity (species and ecosystems), while agricultural impacts include the exposure to heat, changes of the precipitation regime, and dispersion of diseases and pests. The assessment

The relationship between the natural and anthropic components of territorial systems or complexes of coupled socio-economic and natural systems is changing in time under the effect of socio-economic and political drivers. One way of looking at it is through the changes of land cover and use, which are connected also to the dynamics of the eco-energies during the anthropization process. The aim of this paper is to perform an analysis of long-term

While cities appeared and disappeared during the history, and different disciplines, such as ecology and geography attempted to model the process from a systemic perspective, the growth of modern cities, particularly under the form of urban sprawl, is an important phenomenon due to its environmental and socioeconomic impacts. CORINE data allow for analyzing the growth of cities based on the changes in land cover and use. This study aimed to assess

A relatively new concept, 'global change', refined over the last decade to account for the energy - land use - climate change nexus, describes all changes induced by the human species and its activities affecting natural ecosystems and their biodiversity. This chapter reviews several research projects carried out within the national boundaries of Romania, all attempting to pinpoint, explain and predict the impact of 'hotspots' showing potential threats

‘Global change’ is a relatively recent concept, related to the energy - land use - climate change nexus, and designated to include all changes produced by the human species and the consequences of its activities over natural ecological complexes and biodiversity. The joint effects of these drivers of change are particularly relevant to understanding the changes of biodiversity. This study overlaps results of previous studies developed in Romania

Long periods should be considered to characterize the dynamics of regional ecosystems complexes. For the European continent, research is advantaged by the existence of CORINE land cover and use data. This study aims to develop a methodology for using CORINE data (periods 1990-2000 and 2000-2006) to assess long-term environmental changes at a regional scale, consisting of identifying common causes and using ordinary kriging to look at the spatial

land cover and use changes, CORINE, conservation, natural protected areas, global changes