Landscape Metrics as a Tool for Evaluation Landscape Structure – Case Study Hustopeče

The contribution presents the method of evaluation of rural landscape development in Hustopeče microregion by means of the analysis of landscape structure. Based on the computation of the values of landscape ecological indexes, development and typical and specific features in selected time horizons are interpreted. The time of the stable cadastre mapping (1825) was chosen as the initial period, other periods were the actual situation at present (2006) and the time between these two periods (the sixties of the 20th century). It is an agricultural landscape in southern Moravia used for intensive farming. Analysis results illustrate long-term continuing landscape utilization for agricultural production. All evaluative indexes indicate reduction of number of patches and edge effect, enlarging of patch area and, consequently, increasing of geometrical extent and coarse-grained landscape pattern.