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Home / GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, Volume 20, Number 4

Free Content How to Preserve Near-Natural Cultural Landscapes?

Suggestions for Innovative Action as Exemplified by the Moorland Landscapes in Switzerland Wie lassen sich naturnahe Kulturlandschaften erhalten?

Vorschläge für innovatives Handeln am Beispiel der Moorlandschaften der Schweiz

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Moorland landscapes, which are strongly protected in Switzerland, exemplify the possibilities and difficulties in preserving near-natural cultural landscapes. The conservation objective is to preserve these landscapes with their characteristic societal values – biological-ecological, cultural and historical –, including traditional utilization practices. Although the existing measures prevent major undesirable interventions in moorland landscapes, they are insufficient to achieve the stated objective. For instance, typical buildings, wells, hedgerows, and groups of trees are disappearing due to land use changes, natural processes, and minor interventions. Innovations in the institutional framework (e.g., laws, administration) are required. As regulations not pertaining to landscape protection – such as alpine farming, agriculture, and forestry – greatly influence moorland landscapes, an integrative regional landscape management could improve protection.

Keywords: CULTURAL LANDSCAPE; INNOVATIVE ACTION; INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK; MOORLAND LANDSCAPE; PRESERVATION; PROTECTION

Language: German

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 December 2011

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