Biocultural Diversity for Sustainable Ecological, Cultural and Sacred Landscapes: The Biocultural Landscape Approach - Landscape Ecology for Sustainable Environment and Culture - page 59

Fig. 4.5 The socio-
ecological adaptive system,
linking the different
manifestations of life
CO@ST embraces this concept with innovative methods, tools and measurements,
and offers a novel approach to the analysis, mapping, planning and management of
world coastlines and islands. The main goal is to preserve their natural and cultural
values, including their landscapes, seascapes, beauty, ecosystems and services.
The ESLAND Project 'European Culture expressed in Island Landscapes' of the
EC Culture Programme is looking further with research on European island land-
scapes, considering their historical and cultural heritage, character and identity, and
providing scenarios and tools for their future development. Islands clearly highlight
the richness of global landscape diversity and are ideal for the application of natural
and cultural approaches in landscape research (see Vogiatzakis et al. 2008 ).
In particular, the conceptual framework of the ESLAND Project supports
consideration of cultural heritage in European island landscapes of different size,
including the unique identity and values people attach to them. The concept is
applied carrying out an interdisciplinary approach for an intercultural discussion,
leading to an agreed methodology on the study of European island landscape
evolution, classification, identity and scenario. The ultimate goal is to contribute to
the implementation of European and international policies, providing tools for a
type of landscape development that should be more culturally and sustainable
oriented than at present (Pungetti 2012 b).
Starting with a core of experts in island landscape research coming from eight
organisations in six European countries, the ESLAND partnership has expanded to
cover all European countries with islands of any size, and a few leading global