Analyse des changements d’occupation du sol de trois sites de la région naturelle de l’Orléanais de 1949 à 2006

Abstract

A diachronic analysis of aerial photographs of three sites in Orleanais natural region (not including state forests) show that landscapes have become increasingly complex over the last fifty years in the vicinity of cities. Changes in use mainly concern forest expansion which occurs to the detriment of open environments and hedges, particularly in rural areas. This expansion, involving mostly deciduous species, has retained the contour of forests that already existed in the 19th century. The use of aerial photographs furthermore high- lights the different silvicultural practices applied in 1949 illustrating how heavily wood was relied on as a source of energy.