Landscape-ecological Interpretations in LANDEP

Abstract

Interpretation in the LANDEP methodology is considered the process of formation of special-purpose characteristic of the landscape. The interpretations can have twofold nature accordingly to their further utilisation, as: as one of the steps of the LANDEP which results to creation of criteria and arguments for the further evaluation of the suitability of geocomplexes for the selected activities the character of final product of applied landscape-ecological research. In this case the interpretations may be considered as creation of special indicators of specific purpose-oriented properties, utility values of the landscape. At present, interpretations represent the mainstream of the landscape-ecological research, regardless of whether they are called interpretations, landscape syntheses or evaluations. Landscape ecologists are working on diverse interpretations with endeavour to make use of their results in practice. The chapter intoduces several examples of interpretations developed for LANDEP in different periods on concrete model areas.The characteristics of technological-functional criteria—localisation criteria—derived from the primary landscape structure are used as criteria for location and technical performance of various activities. These criteria are closest to the technical standards. The chapter introduces example of such interpretations in concrete model territory, namely selected localisation criteria for agricultural land use, definition of the zones of slope dynamic—the conditions for the movement of water and material along the slope. The characteristics of biological-ecological criteria—selective criteria—represent the evaluation of the secondary/current landscape structure, especially vegetation. These interpretations should provide arguments for the protection and conservation of nature and natural resources. The chapter introduces example of the expert interpretation of the degree of the ecological significance of vegetation ecological quality of spatial structure of land-cover spatial diversity of the landscape according to the degree of entropy. The characteristics of socio-economic criteria—realisation criteria—are derived from the evaluation of tertiary landscape structure. They are based on the evaluation of the degree of current anthropogenic influence on the landscape, threat to the environment by human activities and legal protection of nature and natural resources. The chapter introduces example of the interpretations of socio-economic phenomena and their conflicts in the landscape interpretation of the protection degree of the landscape interpretation of the degree of load on the landscape.