Environmental Consequences of the Landscape Utilisation and Related Changes

Changes and historical development of landscape utilisation and their impact on the environment and quality of life are getting into the spotlight of the entire human society. The research team fully reflects these challenges - the core of the research is the analysis and assessment of the reasons and consequences of changes in the landscape utilisation in various model areas (all major landscape types of Slovakia are represented).

A comprehensive landscape-ecological approach based on a balanced studying of natural and socio-economic phenomena, factors and processes at multiple spatial levels is used.

Field research is linked to remote sensing methods and complemented by the knowledge and attitudes of relevant stakeholders. The evaluation results in the development of future landscape utilisation models, mainly in terms of meeting the main environmental and ecosystem functions and services of the landscape; this provides a link to the planning and management practice.

An important part of the research is also the international cooperation and dissemination of the methods used and achieved results.

Study programme: Landscape protection and utilisation
Research specialization: State, actual factors, processes and trends in the landscape utilisation and assessment of related environmental and ecosystem functions and services
Team leader: prof. RNDr. František Petrovič, PhD.
e-mail: fpetrovic@ukf.sk