Jerzy Solon
Articles
Typology of Poland’s current landscapes
Przegląd Geograficzny (2015) tom 87, zeszyt 3, pp. 377-408 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2015.3.0
Abstract
This article sets out a proposal for a new typology of the landscapes identifiable in Poland contemporarily. The ”current” situation relevant to the work is considered to relate to a period lasting no longer than the last 10 years. The authors undertook the work in the light of numerous academic discussions accompanying the preparation of a Poland-wide project on ”The identification and evaluation of landscapes – methodology and main assumptions”. The work thus represented a methodological prelude to the anticipated draft version of the Act amending certain Acts in connection with the Strengthening of the Landscape Protection Instrument, which was adopted on April 24th 2015 (the Dziennik Ustaw Official Journal of Laws of 2015, item 774). Arising out of this is an obligation that landscape audits be drawn up at the level of the voivodship(province-region). The article first reviews approaches taken hitherto where the classification of landscapes is concerned. It also seeks to bring some order to the terminological chaos holding away in the literature, and to present a better-developed typology of contemporary landscapes against that background. The proposed classification is based around two main groups of criteria. The first group relates to a scale of anthropogenic transformation of the landscape. It entails structural and process-related (functional) criteria which serve to order landscapes along a gradient of the progressive replacement of natural forms and processes shaping the landscape by anthropogenic forms and processes. The application of this approach led to the identification of landscape groups A,B and C, where: Group A comprises natural landscapes of which cultural use is made, though functioning mainly as a reflection of natural process, only to some (varying) extent modified by human activity; Group B comprises natural/cultural landscapes shaped through the joint action of natural processes and conscious modification of land cover and spatial structure by human beings; Group C comprises cultural landscapes in which the structure and functions are fully shaped by human activity. The second typological level entailed criteria relating to the dominance of defined forms of cover, as well as the structure and intensity of land management. A basis for the identification or types and sub-types of contemporary landscape was provided in this way, with the attendant reconnaissance of the current diversity of landscapes in Poland allowing for the identification of the aforesaid 3 groups, as well as 15 types and 49 subtypes of currently-existing landscape. Using numerous quantitative criteria, including through the defining and application of the criterion of the landscape matrix (in relation to landscapes shaped anthropogenically, in the case of groups B and C), the presented typology of current landscapes is far more formalised and objectivised than its predecessors.
Keywords: typologia krajobrazu, krajobrazy aktualne, Europejska Konwencja Krajobrazowa, audyt krajobrazowy
, University of Silesia Faculty of Earth Sciences Będzińska 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec: Poland
[j.solon@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Citation
APA: Chmielewski, T., Myga-Piątek, U., & Solon, J. (2015). Typologia aktualnych krajobrazów Polski. Przegląd Geograficzny, 87(3), 377-408. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2015.3.0
MLA: Chmielewski, Tadeusz, et al. "Typologia aktualnych krajobrazów Polski". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 87, no. 3, 2015, pp. 377-408. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2015.3.0
Chicago: Chmielewski, Tadeusz, Myga-Piątek, Urszula, and Solon, Jerzy. "Typologia aktualnych krajobrazów Polski". Przegląd Geograficzny 87, no. 3 (2015): 377-408. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2015.3.0
Harvard: Chmielewski, T., Myga-Piątek, U., & Solon, J. 2015. "Typologia aktualnych krajobrazów Polski". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 87, no. 3, pp. 377-408. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2015.3.0
Przegląd Geograficzny (2014) tom 86, zeszyt 3, pp. 295-316 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2014.3.1
Abstract The aim of the paper is to present and assess the research on landscape ongoing in Poland, and to indicatie possible uses of existing experience in the process by which the European Landscape Convention gains implementation. The authors discuss here basic definitions, and selected examples of research in the field of landscape geography carried out in Poland. They show that the achievements of Polish geographers and landscape ecologists in identifying, analysing and assessing landscapes represents the common scientific tradition of the central part of Europe, considered one of the most comprehensively pursued anywhere in the world. This achievement should therefore constitute the basis for work on a comprehensive methodology by which to identify, delimit and assign value to landscape units, for the purposes of implementation of the European Landscape Convention in Poland. The latter suggestion at this stage reflects the fact that relevant work first arose as long ago as in the 19th century, out of studies in nature and general geography based on field observations and comparative studies, there has never been substantial implementation into practice, nor any wider popularisation in Poland. It further reflects the fact that, notwithstanding the number of years that have passed since the last more wide-ranging regionalisation and typological studies, the theoretical and main methodological basis underpinning the work has retained its value. Clearly ongoing changes in research tools and methodologies necessitate fresh thought and new solutions, but this should not happen through any abandonment of existing bases. There are specialists in the wider field of landscape who trained for decades at Polish academic centers. Their curriculum includes mapping of the landscape, at a detailed and review level, with a view to potential being evaluated, current means of use documented, recommendations made as regards future use, and so on.The new formal and legal situation relating to the requirement that the European Landscape Convention be implemented denotes far-greater involvement of well-trained specialists, both theoreticians and practitioners (dealing with all aspects of the landscape), when it comes to conceptual work on the development of a comprehensive methodology whereby landscape units may be identified, delimited and assigned value. Infuture, they will be bound, not only to participate in, but also to manage, detailed work at the regional level, within landscape audits as recognised by law.
Keywords: krajobrazy, typologia, regionalizacja, waloryzacja, Europejska Konwencja Krajobrazowa
[m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
, Warsaw University
[j.solon@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Citation
APA: Degórski, M., Ostaszewska, K., Richling, A., & Solon, J. (2014). Współczesne kierunki badań krajobrazowych w kontekście wdrażania Europejskiej Konwencji Krajobrazowej. Przegląd Geograficzny, 86(3), 295-316. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2014.3.1
MLA: Degórski, Marek, et al. "Współczesne kierunki badań krajobrazowych w kontekście wdrażania Europejskiej Konwencji Krajobrazowej". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 86, no. 3, 2014, pp. 295-316. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2014.3.1
Chicago: Degórski, Marek, Ostaszewska, Katarzyna, Richling, Andrzej, and Solon, Jerzy. "Współczesne kierunki badań krajobrazowych w kontekście wdrażania Europejskiej Konwencji Krajobrazowej". Przegląd Geograficzny 86, no. 3 (2014): 295-316. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2014.3.1
Harvard: Degórski, M., Ostaszewska, K., Richling, A., & Solon, J. 2014. "Współczesne kierunki badań krajobrazowych w kontekście wdrażania Europejskiej Konwencji Krajobrazowej". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 86, no. 3, pp. 295-316. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2014.3.1
Przegląd Geograficzny (2009) tom 81, zeszyt 1, pp. 5-46 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2009.4.1
Keywords: bory sosnowe, Europa, Rosja, zdjęcie fitosocjologiczne, cechy gleb, powiązania geograficzne
[e.roo@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
[j.solon@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
[m.degor@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland
Citation
APA: Roo-Zielińska, E., Solon, J., & Degórski, M. (2009). Zróżnicowanie borów sosnowych jako efekt uwarunkowań geograficznych i siedliskowych od Holandii do Irkucka (5°91’–104°8’ E). Przegląd Geograficzny, 81(1), 5-46. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2009.4.1
MLA: Roo-Zielińska, Ewa, et al. "Zróżnicowanie borów sosnowych jako efekt uwarunkowań geograficznych i siedliskowych od Holandii do Irkucka (5°91’–104°8’ E)". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 81, no. 1, 2009, pp. 5-46. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2009.4.1
Chicago: Roo-Zielińska, Ewa, Solon, Jerzy, and Degórski, Marek. "Zróżnicowanie borów sosnowych jako efekt uwarunkowań geograficznych i siedliskowych od Holandii do Irkucka (5°91’–104°8’ E)". Przegląd Geograficzny 81, no. 1 (2009): 5-46. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2009.4.1
Harvard: Roo-Zielińska, E., Solon, J., & Degórski, M. 2009. "Zróżnicowanie borów sosnowych jako efekt uwarunkowań geograficznych i siedliskowych od Holandii do Irkucka (5°91’–104°8’ E)". Przegląd Geograficzny, vol. 81, no. 1, pp. 5-46. https://doi.org/10.7163/PrzG.2009.4.1