<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The paper is focused on a long-term development of the selected Slovak cultural landscape types (plains, basins, uplands, highlands, and mountains) in approx. 200 years, which shaped the main land use features as well as on the recent transformation trends. The land use development analyses showed that from a long term view perspective several distinct periods can be distinguished. Each of these periods was characteristic for certain land use changes depending both on the landscape character or the socioeconomic situation. The recent trends as land use intensification (intense agriculture, sub-urbanisation, industrial construction) or land use extensification (agricultural land overgrowing) are considered to be common for the entire Slovak territory. Special transformation trends reflect more local conditions, human needs and preferences (construction of water reservoirs, wind calamities or tourism resorts) and though they are spatially isolated and small they influence the majority of Slovak inhabitants.</p></abstract>

The paper is focused on a long-term development of the selected Slovak cultural landscape types (plains, basins, uplands, highlands, and mountains) in approx. 200 years, which shaped the main land use features as well as on the recent transformation trends. The land use development analyses showed that from a long term view perspective several distinct periods can be distinguished. Each of these periods was characteristic for certain land use changes depending both on the landscape character or the socioeconomic situation. The recent trends as land use intensification (intense agriculture, sub-urbanisation, industrial construction) or land use extensification (agricultural land overgrowing) are considered to be common for the entire Slovak territory. Special transformation trends reflect more local conditions, human needs and preferences (construction of water reservoirs, wind calamities or tourism resorts) and though they are spatially isolated and small they influence the majority of Slovak inhabitants.

Transformation of the Slovak Cultural Landscape Since the 18<sup>th</sup> Cent. and its Recent Trends

Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Technical University in Zvolen, Masaryka 24, 960 53 Zvolen

Department of Geography and Regional Development, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher's University in Nitra, A. Hlinku 1, 949 74, Nitra

Journal of Landscape Ecology

Transformation of the Slovak Cultural Landscape Since the 18 Cent. and its Recent Trends

The paper is focused on a long-term development of the selected Slovak cultural landscape types (plains, basins, uplands, highlands, and mountains) in approx....

Transformation of the Slovak Cultural Landscape Since the 18^th Cent. and its Recent Trends

Published Online: Aug 08, 2012

Page range: 41 - 55

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10285-012-0018-z

Keywords
cultural landscape, land use, transformation trends, Slovak Republic

This content is open access.

Transformation of the Slovak Cultural Landscape Since the 18th Cent. and its Recent Trends