Belgeo (Sep 2004)
Editorial: Landscape research in Europe
Abstract
This article is an editorial introduction to the issue of BELGEO devoted to landscape research in Europe. The issue is a collection of the status of landscape research in fourteen countries addressing questions related to the domains of research (fundamental, applied), the disciplines involved, the landscape types and regions considered important, the stages of landscape development during history, actual problems and potentials of the landscape and important references. This issue does not cover all countries in Europe and the ones that are missing are remarkably countries where a long tradition in landscape research exists and where many activities are going on. Making a state of the art is difficult because of too many activities. The general conclusion is that the status and organisation of landscape research in the European countries is as diverse as the landscapes. A common characteristic is the increase in activities on both the national as international scenes and a shift from fundamental research towards applied and transdisciplinary research; an evolution which is clearly linked with the growing interest in landscape management and conservation by authorities and policy-makers, as a response to the increasingly rapid and vast changes affecting landscapes. A brief overview is given of different international initiatives that are underway in Europe; most of these actions are parallel and still not well concerted.
