Agriculture; Anthropogenic effects; Domestication; Land cover dynamics; Landscape metrics; Urbanisation
Abstract :
[en] Bio-cultural landscapes are characterized by anthropogenic pattern features,
of which the measurement constitutes a key step in landscape analysis.
Metrics and strategies for this measurement of anthropogenic patterns and their
dynamics are discussed, considering the pattern/process paradigm, the patch-corridor-
matrix model and the complementarity of landscape composition and
configuration as conceptual benchmarks. Historically, noticeable anthropogenic
effects are accepted to have appeared in landscapes after the invention of agriculture
and further trends of landscape change could be linked to the development of
agriculture. Through time, a sequence of landscape dynamics with three stages is
expected, in which a natural landscape matrix is initially substituted by an agricultural
one; urban patch types will later on dominate the matrix as a consequence of
ongoing urbanization. The importance of the development of agriculture and its
productivity for the evolution of settlements, villages and cities is emphasized.
Anthropogenic change of landscapes confirms the status of geographical space as a
limited resource.
Disciplines :
Environmental sciences & ecology
Author, co-author :
Bogaert, Jan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Biodiversité et Paysage
Vranken, Isabelle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Biodiversité et Paysage
Andre, Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Biodiversité et Paysage
Language :
English
Title :
Anthropogenic effects in landscapes: Historical context and spatial pattern
Publication date :
2014
Main work title :
Biocultural Landscapes: Diversity, Functions and Values
Editor :
Hong, S.-K.
Bogaert, Jan ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département GxABT > Biodiversité et Paysage