Assessment of the contribution of land use pattern and intensity to landscape quality: use of a landscape indicator

The objective of this research work is the evaluation of the impact of landuse pattern and intensity on landscape by means of an indicator. The method used to calculate a 'landscape indicator' (I-land) allows to take into account the objective as well as the subjective approach of landscape. I-land corresponds to the degree of agreement between landscape supply by farmers and landscape demand by the social groups. The supply and the demand are evaluated through four criteria: 'diversity', 'upkeep','openness' and 'heritage'. The landscape supply is calculated from data of landscape objects (punctual, linear and spatial) for each criterion recorded at the field level. The values of the four criteria for the landscape demand are allocated by the user(s) of the indicator (decision makers, regional council, social groups...) into five classes (0-4). The value of the landscape indicator is the least favourable difference between supply and demand for the four criteria. An example of calculation of the 'landscape indicator' for an arable farm is given. The collection of data needs 2 h with the farmer and 2 h for a survey of the farm land. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.