Land Use Changes in Europe Processes of Change, Environmental Transformations and Future Patterns

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Synopsis

The patterns of land use that have evolved in Europe reflect the boundaries set by the natural environment and socio-economic responses to the needs of the population. Over the centuries man has been able to overcome increasingly the constraints placed on land use by the natural environment through the development of new technologies and innovations, driven by an increasing population and rising material expectations. However, activities are still ultimately constrained by natural limitations such as climatic characteristics and associated edaphic and vegetational features. A major problem for land management, in its broadest sense, can be a reluctance to foresee the consequent ecological changes. This means that mitigating strategies will not be implemented in time to prevent environmental degradation and social hardship, although in many parts of Europe, over some centuries, demands have been met in a sustainable way, by sound, prudent and temperate expectations that have dictated management regimes. The management of land in Europe has always been a complex challenge: land is the primary, though finite resource. DeciSions regarding the use of land and manipulation of ecosystem dynamics today may affect the long-term primary productivity of the resource. Decisions to change land use may be virtually irreversible; urbanization is an illustration of the influence of population density on the land resource.

Book details

Edition:
1991
Series:
GeoJournal Library (Book 18)
Author:
F. M. Brouwer, A. J. Thomas, M. J. Chadwick
ISBN:
9789401132909
Related ISBNs:
9780792310990
Publisher:
Springer Netherlands
Pages:
N/A
Reading age:
Not specified
Includes images:
Yes
Date of addition:
2022-08-26
Usage restrictions:
Copyright
Copyright date:
1991
Copyright by:
Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Categories:
Earth Sciences, Nonfiction, Outdoors and Nature, Science, Technology