Land use change and optimalization regarding to natural hazards.

Abstract

The main aim of this dissertation is to introduce a new land use optimisation method and employ it in real cases. Nowadays, the nature is extremely exposed to changes due to increasing human needs and suffering for economical enrichment. Thus Human beings and nature are closely interrelated. The optimal structure and proper optimisation of land use is a demanding challenge. The optimization of land use is seen as a way of land use management. This has to satisfy material and nonmaterial needs of the society with a special consideration to the protection of nature and its resources for the next generation. Dissertation thesis follows the idea of sustainable development. The presented approach is human centred. In else, it focuses on human driven changes and optimization of land use. The dissertation utilizes fundamental ideas of land cover and land use evolution described in the first part. The approach is empirical and is based on previous human experiences. Introduced method is divided into two major steps. i) Computation of land use suitability for particular type(s). ii) Decision of land use change. The approach is implemented in three real cases. Optimisations are solved in different landscapes – in mountain area as well as in lowland. These areas were selected purposely to underline contemporary problems in land use management and its impact. The most common and harmful natural hazards in mid-Europe have been selected for modelling. The chosen natural hazards are erosion in arable lowlands, snow avalanche in mountain areas, and flooding in sinks and depressions. They are threatening and limit human activities, cause human death, and material damage. To mitigate and prevent against aforementioned and other natural hazards is an inseparable part of proper land use optimisation. The main output of the research is the description of optimisation method. Next goal was to demonstrate land use limitation by natural hazards. Results include land use suitability for built up area in Magurka settlement (Slovakia), land use suitability for arable land in Cebovsky Potok upper river-basin (Slovakia), and proposal of land use change to aquatic ecosystems in Becva inundation area (Czech Republic). The new approach is meant to stand a well-founded place alongside the other optimisation methods and approaches. The verification of the approach was done in comparison of land use suitability computed in advance and real observed changes in Cebovsky Potok upper river-basin.