The making of the landscape: Landscape features as the key components of landscape identity and biodiversity

Landscapes are a result of an interaction between natural processes and, in most cases, human interventions. European landscapes have evolved throughout centuries, if not millennia, of continuous use. Nowadays they represent one of the most important elements of European cultural heritage, a palimpsest with multiple layers, continuously changing in order to respond to the needs of each generation. Observed from the other perspective, these landscapes are also an important ecosystem and a habitat for around 50 % of all species. The majority of these landscapes have evolved spontaneously and changes have been – at least from human’s perspective – slow, local and gradual. But in the last few decades, extensive changes have been introduced, leading towards simplification and unification of landscapes. Common European policies (e.g. Natura 2000 and Common Agricultural Policy) only encourage this trend by introducing normative top-down approach in landscape management and planning. Landscapes are losing their identity, coherence and heterogeneity.
The presented research arises from two different aspects: the interconnection between landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity on one side, and, the interconnection between landscape character and landscape identity on the other. The connection between both aspects is based on the research of landscape features – these are natural phenomena and/or human-made structures (e.g. hedges, dry-walls, ponds, etc.), which most commonly appear within (agri)cultural landscape. Landscape features on one side represent an important habitat for the species, while on the other, they constitute a part of regionally or locally specific landscape patterns. Landscape patterns can be defined as complex fusion of landscape characteristics (especially terrain and land use) and landscape features. As such landscape patterns are the basis for defining landscape character and consequently, landscape identity.
The research started with the project, co-funded by the Slovenian Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. It focused on researching the interconnection between landscape heterogeneity and biodiversity. Its main goal was to prepare guidelines for identification of landscape features that are important for biodiversity conservation and agricultural land-use management in Slovenia. The research was focused on providing results that can be directly applied to national agricultural and nature conservation legislation, related activities, and practices.
During the aforementioned project, several issues, which should be addressed, but were not a part of the project, emerged. Landscape features have been recognized not only crucial for maintaining biodiversity, but also as one of the as one of the most important components of landscape character and identity. Another project followed – this time as students’ studio project, where landscape’s character has been determined on the basis of landscape patterns. Within this project, visual perception of landscape was emphasized. Landscape has been decomposed into its basic components: terrain, land use and landscape features, which were later combined into landscape patterns. These patterns have been recognized as the key phenomena for determining landscape character and whereas they are regionally and/or locally specific, they play an important role in shaping landscape identity.
Although landscape is complex and multilayered phenomenon, the research has shown, that its character can be defined on the basis of small and simple components: landscape features. Various aspects of landscape have been highlighted during the research, which is oriented towards achieving common goal: landscapes, which will be characterized by preserved or enhanced biodiversity, economic stability, and, last but not least, coherence and identity.