Natural or Semi-natural Landscape Features as Indicator of Biocultural Value: Observations from Slovakia

We identify hotspots of biocultural value on the national level in Slovakia in order: (1) to define indicators for the identification and evaluation of biocultural landscape types; (2) to analyze sites of natural and cultural heritage that create valuable biocultural landscapes, and (3) to identify hot-spots of biocultural landscape in Slovakia. Reflecting the transformation of original habitats, we distinguished five degrees of natural vegetation: three-sub-natural, quasi-natural and semi-natural-include habitats dependent on human management, areas of historical green infrastructure, and high environmental value farmland with the presence of natural/semi-natural habitats. We include natural or semi-natural landscape features, specifically arboreta, historical parks, and cultural monuments with historical green infrastructure among hotspots of biocultural value. Such areas have been preserved in 10.89% of urban or rural settlements in Slovakia.

Automated summary

In Slovakia, we have identified hotspots of biocultural value at the national level with the aim of defining indicators for biocultural landscape types, analyzing natural and cultural heritage sites, and identifying the areas with the highest biocultural value. We found that areas with different levels of natural vegetation, including habitats dependent on human management, historical green infrastructure areas, and high environmental value farmland with natural/semi-natural habitats, are important hotspots of biocultural value. Such areas make up 10.89% of urban or rural settlements in Slovakia.