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B. Baran-Zgłobicka & W. Zgłobicki 2010. Forest patches in agricultural landscapes (loess areas of SE Poland)
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Forest patches in agricultural landscapes
(loess areas of SE Poland)
Bogusława Baran-Zgłobicka & Wojciech Zgłobicki
Department of Geology and Lithosphere Conservation,
Maria Curie - Sklodowska University, Poland
Abstract
A mosaic of naturally and anthropogenically conditioned patches of terrain cover, which are
diversified as regards the kind, size and shape, appears in the agricultural landscapes. The
research was carried out in the 2 test areas located in SE Poland. They cover an area of 28 km2
and 35 km2. This is the area of the appearance of a specific landscape in the structure of which,
a group of forms characteristic for its loess relief is dominant. The analysis of the changes in the
land use were carried out on the basis of the three maps comparison four maps, representing the
years 1840, 1890, 1935, 1997. The spatial analysis consisted of the assessment of changes of
forest patches areas as well as some chosen statistical parameters prepared for the four time
periods: 1840-1890, 1890-1935, 1935-1997, 1890-1997. The studies revealed differences in the
scope of changes in the percentage of forest cover in the test areas.
Keywords: agricultural landscape, land use changes, loess areas
1. Introduction
Agricultural landscapes are characterised by a mosaic of naturally and anthropogenically
conditioned patches of land cover that are diverse in kind, size and shape. Human activity is the
main factor influencing the changeability of forms of land use in time and space. However, in
many cases the influence of abiotic environment components can also be significant. A good
understanding of the historical determinants of changes in land usage allows for a better
anticipation of the tendencies developing in a landscape, and also enables a more effective
landscape management (Bork 1989, Dotterweich 2008).
The research was carried out in two test areas, Wąwolnica (28 km 2 ) and Wilczyce (35 km 2 ),
located in SE Poland. The structure of the unique landscape occurring in this area is dominated
by a group of forms characteristic of loess relief. The deep Bystra and Opatówka river valleys
form the morphological axes of the test areas. The plateaus and slopes are dissected by a system
of dry valleys and gullies. The Wąwolnica area exhibits a greater diversity of relief as steep
slopes and gullies occupy a larger part of the landscape (see Table 1). These areas were
cultivated as early as the Neolithic, while the next strong expansion of settlements and farming
began in the mediaeval period (Nogaj-Chachaj 2004). Nowadays, arable lands predominate in
the land use structure, occupying from 55% to 63% of the whole area. The percentage of forest
cover is quite high in the Wawolnica test area (18%), while it is significantly lower in Wilczyce
(9%). It is a result of a large proportion of areas where cultivation has been discontinued
because most of them are occupied by gullies and steep slopes (Baran-Zgłobicka and Zgłobicki
2004).
A typical community growing in gullies and on steep slopes nowadays are Tilio-Carpinetum
forests; tree stands are composed of hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) with an admixture of smallleaved
lime (Tilia cordata), Norway maple (Acer platanoides) and pedunculate oak (Quercus
robur). Protected species occur among herbal plants (Kucharczyk 1992).
Forest Landscapes and Global Change-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape Ecology
Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)
2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.