Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Forman and Godron (1986) formulated seven main principles of landscape
ecology concerned with landscape structure, landscape functions and landscape
change. All the principles lay stress on the primary and absolutely determinant
role of landscape structure. According to these main principles, land use and
landscape-structure changes have a decisive influence on:
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flows of matter and energy in the landscape;
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flows (movement) of species and information;
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biodiversity and ecological stability of the landscape;
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landscape character, aesthetics and perception of the landscape.
Any changes in landscape structure result in a modified functioning and changed
characteristics of the landscape. That is why the study of landscape structure, its
changes and consequences represents a crucial issue in landscape ecology.
The main concepts of landscape structure cover the “geocomplex” model and the
“patch-corridor-matrix” model as well as the main spatial processes involved in the
process of land transformation conceived as changes in the arrangement and spatial
composition of the so-called land mosaic (Pietrzak, 2001). Horizontal landscape
structure is studied and mapped on different space hierarchical levels from local to
regional and global ones depending on the scale and the purpose of the research. We
can investigate on the one hand landscape “macrostructure” based on statistical data
on land use and land cover and landscape microstructure based on methods of field
mapping or interpretation of aerial photos and satellite images on the other hand
(Lipský, 2000). The concept of landscape “microstructure” is concisely aimed at the
space composition of landscape segments, their mutual relations and connections as
well as individual parameters of single landscape components.
Another approach used in landscape typology and landscape character assess-
ment consists of a differentiation between primary, secondary and tertiary landscape
structure. The primary structure is determined by natural conditions, i.e. by geolog-
ical grounds and soils, geomorphological forms, climatic conditions, waters and
natural vegetation. The secondary landscape structure can be identified with land
use or land cover of the contemporary landscape. Both primary (natural) and sec-
ondary (anthropogenic) landscape structures have a direct reflection in the face of
the landscape. As the tertiary landscape structure we understand spiritual, immate-
rial characteristics of the landscape like landscape history and memory, traditions,
cultural and historical events as well as various legal restrictions and limits which
contribute to the specific landscape character but have got no direct physiognomic
expression in the landscape (Lipský, 2008; Mücher et al., 2003).
2.3 Character of Changes in Cultural Landscapes
Landscapes are very dynamic in structure, functions and spatial pattern. Change
is inherent to the concept of cultural landscape which is a meeting ground
between past, present and future as well as between natural and cultural influ-
ences. Landscape dynamics are the basis of landscape diversity and identity (Antrop,
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