Analysis of landscape change in the Nagyberek (Somogy, Hungary) with the DPSIR Framework

Abstract

We need complex thinking to manage habitats and conserve landscape values. We present the landscape changes between 1900 and 2013 of the Nagyberek, a huge, former marshy area along the south bank of Lake Balaton, with the help of the DPSIR Framework. We analysed the causal relations of driving forces, which induce landscape changes, and the change of habitat states from the nature conservation point of view. Our results show that the introduction of large-scale farming during the 1950-80s was the main driving force. The changes caused by the disruption of the natural water balance were too drastic and the ecosystem could not adapt to the new circumstances. The rapid changes also altered the self-identity of inhabitants and their relationship with the landscape. Landscape changes were analysed from the conservation biologist point of view. Accordingly the responses of the DPSIR Framework were selected from those laws and programmes which concern nationally and internationally important habitats. We argue that the DPSIR Framework can be used successfully to study the impact of pressures to analyse habitat and landscape changes in a complex way.