Priya Sharma, Amalia Krupandan, Jelena Stanivuk, Emese Békefi, Gergő Gyalog
Artificial aquatic systems, such as aquaculture pondscapes, deliver several important ecosystem services (ES). However, it is challenging to assess their habitat‑maintenance and cultural values because they depend on multiple complex interactions amongst landscape structure, ecological processes, and human use patterns. In this context, we have developed and demonstrated a spatial, proxy-indicator framework that applies landscape‑based metrics (e.g., fractal dimension, shoreline/edge density, connectivity etc.) alongside indicators that capture cultural-recreational aspects (e.g., land‑cover diversity, perceived naturalness, accessibility, protected areas, and tourist attractions etc.). These indicators were calculated at the pond and landscape levels for 25 representative pondscapes in Hungary and were then normalised to enable comparison across different sites. Application of our framework revealed clear differences in landscape patterns and ecosystem services between regions and pond types. Barrage‑dam pondscapes - occurring in Transdanubian regions of Hungary - were found to exhibit higher structural complexity and habitat‑maintenance potential than the predominantly round‑dam ponds of the Great Plain in Hungary. The results also indicate which structural, accessibility and aesthetic factors most strongly influence the potential of ecosystem services across pondscapes. This scalable and reusable approach can be used to conduct ecosystem service assessments in other similar pondscapes, particularly in contexts where intensive field surveys are not feasible. It can further support decision‑making related to targeted restoration, agri‑environment scheme design and broader pondscape enhancement.