Influence of Natural Conditions on Land Use

This chapter deals with the influence of natural conditions on land use patterns. It also examines the human impacts on land use. Basic overview of natural conditions in Czechia is outlined with special regard to geology, climate and soils. Geological conditions are seen as the key factors that form landscapes and influence the diversity of soils. Climate, of course, also has profound influence on regional farming patterns; very warm (VW) and warm climatic regions are best suitable for agriculture. The biggest part of the Czech territory is covered by moderately heavy soils. Soil types are crucial for the spatial distribution of forests, arable lands, and permanent grasslands. Climatic zones and soil types are shown in maps. Regional patterns of Czech agriculture are discussed and the so-called less-favoured areas (LFA; important for allocation of EU subsidies) are explained. The history of human impacts on land use patterns over the past two centuries (covered by this research) has three phases. First, important changes in agriculture were taking place (changing balance between extensive and intensive farming). Second, forests began to shrink as more agricultural land was needed; with the advance of intensive farming, however, this process was reversed (“forest transition”). Third, new technologies and pressures exerted by the modern society brought a significant rise of built-up land and “other” areas. The ways how recent trends influenced the natural environment are explained. Changing political climate, especially the collapse of Communism and reintroduction of market conditions, has had profound effects on land use. The same applies to mining that caused large-scale devastation in some areas. Conservation programmes that accelerated after 1990 are seen as a “return to nature”.