D3.2 Compiled timelines of cultural landscape change for the study landscapes

• Work package (WP) 3 aim is to reconstruct and assess the short-term past changes and dynamics of cultural landscapes, using case study approach. As a more detailed analysis can be carried out in smaller spatial scale, Study Municipalities (SM) were distinguished within Study Landscapes (SL). The aim of this deliverable is to present the results of the task of “Compiled timelines of cultural landscape change (CTCLC)” based on land use / land cover (LULC) change analysis of maps and aerial images since mid-19th century from scales 1:10,000 – 1:50,000 digitised and generalised to 1:50,000 level. The variety of available maps, scales and level of detail for each SM in different natural, physical, political, social and cultural environment is enormous and does not justify cross-SM comparisons on LULC level. Still, some individual conclusions for CTCLC for specific SM can be drawn: 1. Estonia: SL – Vooremaa and Kodavere, SM – Alatskivi and Peipsiääre. Constant struggle with amelioration has reduced the area of wetlands remarkably promoting forest in a marginalised area where otherwise the landscape has been quite stable: massive forest with mosaic village landscapes. 2. Greece: SL – Lesvos, SM – Gera. The most remarkable change from 1960 to 2012 has been the decline of agriculture whereas the grassland and shrubs, especially wooded grasslands and shrubs taking over based on mapping categories. Also the forest and built-up areas are increasing as is the road network. Probably the processes of modernisation and tourist influx have had impact on abandoning agriculture, which in turn may negatively affect tourism industry that is in search for traditional olive landscapes. 3. Switzerland: SL – Obersimmental, SM – Lenk. With the glaciers melting away bare natural rock area grows slowly. No agriculture. Built-up area grows slowly. Grassland and shrubs are decreasing and forest increasing, both fragmented. Linear infrastructures have been modernised from main roads, railways to cable cars. It seems to be a rather natural landscape with forest overgrowth. 4. Spain: SL – Sierra de Guadarrama foothills, SM – Colmenar Viejo. 1946 seems to be the crucial year, agriculture was in large amounts substituted with grasslands and shrubs; forest almost clear cut. Built-up area and quarries spread as it is situated NW from Madrid. The landscape is criss-crossed with infrastructures: highways, railways and channels. A peri-urban landscape that is in constant change. 5. Sweden: SL – Uppland, SM – Börje. Changes in the vicinity of Uppsala city do not seem radical at all. Scattered mosaic land use seems to have found its peri-urban equilibrium, if this is a possibility. Typical mature polarisation is slowly under way: more monolithic fields appear and grasslands and shrubs are taking over – perhaps as the urban way of life creeps into the countryside leaving fields aside, or more ecoaware attitudes have emerged. CTCLC based on LULC change analysis is not landscape, thus this outcome will serve as a basis for “objective” background against which comparison of other methods (e.g. oral history interviews (OHI), major events and driving forces (DF) analysis, public participatory GIS (PP-GIS), terrestrial photos etc.) can be done forming Landscape change trajectories (LCT) as case study approach. The mapping exercise results will be uploaded to Knowledge Hub (KH).

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Study municipality

land use analysis

land cover analysis

Social and Economic Geography

Kulturgeografi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

rap (ämneskategori)