Landscape changes in Norwegian mountains: Increased and decreased accessibility,and their driving forces |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. NIBIO—Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Ås, Norway,;2. Department of Geography, University of Bergen, Norway,;2. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Physics Department, Group Building Environmental Research, Panepistimioupolis, 15784 Athens, Greece;1. Norwegian Forest and Landscape Institute, PO Box 115, 1431 Ås, Norway;2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Geography, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;1. Norwegian Agricultural Economics Research Institute, P.O. Box 8024 Dep, 0030 Oslo, Norway;2. Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Aas, Norway;1. Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7054, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden;2. Växa Sverige, PO Box 210, SE-101 24 Stockholm, Sweden;3. Centre for Veterinary Epidemiological Research, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada;1. Department of Forest and Environmental Engineering and Management, MONTES (School of Forest Engineering and Natural Environment), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain;2. Transport Research Centre (TRANSyT-UPM), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain |
| |
| Abstract: | Accessibility is a central issue for human activity, particularly in mountain areas. We investigate changes in physical accessibility in a Western Norwegian mountain area during the past 40–60 years and identify driving forces of changes. Changes in accessibility were measured as changes in travel time between permanently and seasonally inhabited farmsteads. Additionally, travel time from new access points in the mountains was calculated. C.75% of the investigated access routes to seasonal farmsteads have remained unchanged due to continued use or maintenance work, or been slightly improved due to development of paths into roads. In addition, new access routes have emerged as a result of road construction. Regrowth of paths due to abandonment of seasonal farming has reduced accessibility. Changes in accessibility have led to a concentration of activities in more easily accessibly parts of the study area. Documented changes in accessibility result from a complex interaction of driving forces that initiate or influence change. Important drivers interacting with road construction and abandonment of seasonal farming can be categorized as socio-economic, political and technological. However, the importance of culturally rooted commitment of local people or a small number of enthusiasts must not be underestimated. |
| |
| Keywords: | Land use change Protected landscape Road construction Seasonally inhabited farmsteads |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
