Protection Of Cultural Landscapes Research Articles

Assessing, mapping, and quantifying cultural ecosystem services at community level

Numerous studies underline the importance of immaterial benefits provided by ecosystems and especially by cultural landscapes, which are shaped by intimate human–nature interactions. However, due to methodological challenges, cultural ecosystem services are rarely fully considered in ecosystem services assessments. This study performs a spatially explicit participatory mapping of the complete range of cultural ecosystem services and several disservices perceived by people living in a cultural landscape in Eastern Germany. The results stem from a combination of mapping exercises and structured interviews with 93 persons that were analyzed with statistical and GIS-based techniques. The results show that respondents relate diverse cultural services and multiple local-level sites to their individual well-being. Most importantly, aesthetic values, social relations and educational values were reported. Underlining the holistic nature of cultural ecosystem services, the results reveal bundles of services as well as particular patterns in the perception of these bundles for respondent groups with different socio-demographic backgrounds. Cultural services are not scattered randomly across a landscape, but rather follow specific patterns in terms of the intensity, richness and diversity of their provision. Resulting hotspots and coldspots of ecosystem services provision are related to landscape features and land cover forms. We conclude that, despite remaining methodological challenges, cultural services mapping assessments should be pushed ahead as indispensable elements in the management and protection of cultural landscapes. Spatially explicit information on cultural ecosystem services that incorporates the differentiated perceptions of local populations provides a rich basis for the development of sustainable land management strategies. These could realign the agendas of biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage preservation, thereby fostering multifunctionality.

TRADITIONAL LATVIAN COUNTRY HOUSE. COURLAND REGION EXAMPLE

The traditional way of life concerns not only treatment of things, but important is also the environment of traditional management. Development plans have to define the context of the cultural landscape protection and management of premises and areas around the old rural homesteads, having regard to land rights, and should be targeted for biodiversity conservation process. Such areas are not only of local but also of global importance. A highly measurable art is the skill to use and involve the ancient country estate in the landscape and ancient heritage of the most valuable items in the modern landscape, synthesis of the modern landscape of cultural value. As a result, visual character of poor quality is reduced, by giving new modernist trends to Courland traditional country yard landscape areas. Traditional country house landscape for contemporary original, harmonious environment, which is malleable in balance with man and nature, under the umbrella of cultural landscape values. Scientific research results provide an important contribution to the future of rural municipal administrative territorial development to enhance, restore or create new sustainable landscapes, based on balanced and harmonious relationships between economic activities, social needs and cultural environment.

Cultural landscape evaluation and possibilities for future development – a case study of the island of Krk (Croatia)

Agricultural landscapes that resulted from many centuries of traditional agricultural cultivation are an important part of the cultural heritage in the European Mediterranean areas. Since a systematic study in the Republic of Croatia aimed at inventarisation and protection of cultural landscapes has not been carried out yet, the main purpose of this paper was to, based on a case study that took place on the island of Krk, show the method of agricultural landscape evaluation and possibilities for future development and protection of outstanding agricultural landscapes. The evaluation of all 12 identified agricultural landscape types was conducted and six of them were singled out as outstanding cultural landscapes. Possible structural changes of those landscapes were considered and a proposal for a strategy of the preservation of the valuable landscape heritage on the island of Krk has been formulated. It was concluded that for field landscapes, the preservation is possible through agricultural production modernization. Those outstanding agricultural landscapes that are not profitable, but have a great cultural and historical value, should be maintained through regular procedures for cultural monuments with 100% subsidy.

Kazimierz quarry – protection of cultural landscape

The article concerns for question of protection of Kazimierz quarry, winning limestone. It is located near Kazimierz Dolny at Vistula River. It characterize history of Kazimierz quarry reaching XIV century as well as the description of landscape and geological values. Particular attention concerns necessity and ways of protection of quarry as classic example cultural landscape.

ザール・フンスリュック自然公園にみるドイツ自然公園の特質

The aim of this research is to examine the characteristics of German natural park system from the comparative viewpoint with Japanese natural park system. Saal-Hunsruck Natural Park was surveyed as a study area. It was found that German natural park system doesn’t have any regulations for land use although the purpose of natural park is to protect nature and landscape, and regulations for nature and landscape protection are applied by other protection systems. It was also found that the merit of designating natural park from the viewpoint of tourism development is to form a large unit by combining several municipalities, which make it possible to develop a wider tourism area under the cooperation between those municipalities. The natural park office operates a project to maintain agriculture and forestry through the use of regional resources, which doesn’t seem to be directly related to the aim of natural park. The reason why the park office operates such a project was considered that the percentage of lands for agriculture and forestry is high in Germany, and therefore the protection of cultural landscape that has been maintained by agriculture and forestry occupies an important part in nature conservation policy.

Agricultural policies and landscape management. Some examples from Norway, Great Britain and Germany

The article is based on preliminary findings of a research project carried out at the Department of Geography, University of Trondheim, Norway. The aim is to study new strategies in various European countries aimed at the protection of cultural landscapes in rural areas. An important question arising owing to the current and reformed agricultural policies in Western Europe is how to conserve, manage and plan for the cultural landscape of the farmed countryside, which is under strong pressure as a result of the accelerated retrenchment of farming. This article accounts for some elements of landscape conservation in Norway, Great Britain and Germany. Economic incentives, such as ‘green’ subsidies, landscape management agreements and ‘ecological’ land consolidation, are discussed. The article also raises some basic questions concerning landscape values.

Factors for effectiveness in cultural landscape protection – the cultural park old town in Wrocław

After four years from funding of The Cultural park “Old Town” in Wrocław, before elaboration of required by law plan of protection for it, basing on large experience from time of its functioning, three factors of its effectiveness in cultural midtown landscape protection are examined: quality of construction of selected bans and limitations binding in the Park, ability of teams responsible for implementation, and kinds of procedures being applied in the park.