Assessment of landscape change by land evaluation of past and present situation

The analysis of only single landscape attributes, like land use pattern, landscape elements, habitat structures, species and biocoenoses at different times is not sufficient to grasp the character of landscape change, especially with regard to the functional aspects. For this, the approach of land evaluation with the help of landscape functions and natural potentials is much more suitable. The assessment of landscape functions is also a supposition to formulate ecological targets of landscape development, on the conditions of landscape changes which continuously increase. The investigation took place within two rural test areas in the hilly zone of Saxony (Germany). At least twice (as a rule in the thirties and the eighties) the following landscape functions were assessed: biotic productivity, resistance of soils to water erosion, water retention capacity, recharge and protection of ground water, and potential for recreation within nature. The special methodologies (including advantages and shortcomings) are described, the past and present situations in the test areas are characterized, and the tendencies of the development are outlined. Additionally, an approach (a decision tree) for the elaboration of landscape-ecological targets and measures is presented. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.