Landscape texture in anthropogenically transformed regions : the example of Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowa Coal Basin (southern Poland).

Abstract

In recent years, we see growing importance of research on landscape texture, which enables scientists to assess landscape as to its esthetic (visual), planning, as well as ecological aspects. Analyses of landscape texture result in identification of landscape zones, classified according to their habitability, recreational potential and suitability for industry, which plays a crucial role for work on planning and strategic documents. The study area covers 12 selected municipalities of Upper Silesia and the Dąbrowa Coal Basin, which are highly industrialized regions. Combining an analysis of the degree of landscape enclosure/openness with an analysis of morphological diversity in the study area, the author identifies landscape texture units in accordance with the new, more detailed typology. This results in the emergence of 36 landscape texture types that take into account the land relief forms in the study area. For the needs of further analyses, these types are classified into three groups: open, mosaic and enclosed landscapes.