Swedish agricultural landscapes — patterns and changes during the last 50 years, studied by aerial photos

Abstract

This paper describes the agricultural landscapes in Sweden and their development in historical and modern time. Most emphasis is placed on the spatial pattern and changes of grassland and small biotopes. Changes in field size, linear elements and point elements in grasslands and wetlands are described and illustrated by air photos and maps as interpreted in aerial photos from the last 50 years. The grasslands are found to be the most important ecological structure, and their changes are subjected to detailed analysis. Grasslands and grassland species are found in patches of meadows and pastures, in linear elements such as road verges, border zones along streams, ditches and stone walls and in point objects such as habitat islands and around ponds. The different test areas were chosen to describe the consequences for flora and fauna, the grassland flora, birds and field game.