Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Agricultural landscapes of today are expected to produce and maintain non-commercial landscape values. To fulfil these demands, new ways of dealing with landscape planning are required. The main aim of this thesis was to identify landscape values for preservation and development. To reach these aims, several studies focusing on different aspects of farms have been carried out. In a marginal part of Southern Sweden, 13 neighbouring farms were studied to identify similarities and differences in the use of trees and shrubs over the past 100 years. Interview walks with farmers were conducted, during which placing and management of woody species on the respective farms were discussed. In three of these farms, the interview walks were followed by elicitation discussions regarding repeated photographs taken within a period of 30 years. The detected landscape changes were discussed and used as a basis for ideas on future management. In a farm close to the urban fringe, the possible advantages of a design-approach to integrate different landscape values, such as biodiversity, cultural heritage, recreation and aesthetics, were studied. Also asking landscape architect students to design farm plans for this particular farm and thereafter analysing these plans, was a way to see if landscape architects will be suitable professionals for the task of designing multifunctional farmland. The thesis also includes a discussion on the concept of authenticity to extend the range of possible ways to handle heritage issues and its meaning for future management options. The results show that farms have been managed very differently and that a general conservation programme is not suitable to deal with the variation of existing values. From my studies, I conclude that the specialities of the place and farmer participation are important components in the process of identifying such values and making management priorities. For the best results, a combination of experts and a creative approach to find suitable solutions for each place is necessary. To let students of relevant disciplines meet in the education would facilitate integration and make implementations in future management and planning more efficient.