Cyprus Landscape Mapping Project Final Report December 2008 · was that it would be extremely useful for Cyprus if a programme of work was undertaken in cooperation with Government

Cyprus Landscape Mapping Project

Final Report

December 2008

The Landscape Mapping Group, The University of Reading, UK

Steven Warnock, Geoffrey Griffiths & Ioannis Vogiatzakis

THE LANDSCAPE MAPPING GROUP

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Table of Contents 1. Background .................................................................................................................... 3 2. The Characterisation Process: ......................................................................................... 4 3. Review of Current work: .................................................................................................. 5 4. Reconnaissance Field Visit - June 2008 .......................................................................... 8 5. Classification & Description .............................................................................................. 9 6. Discussion and Further Work ........................................................................................ 17 The Consultants .................................................................................................................. 19 Address for correspondence:

Dr GH Griffiths

The Department of Geography

The School of Human & Environmental Science

Whiteknights

Reading

Berkshire

RG6 6AB. UK

Email [email protected]

Tel +44 (0)118 378 8737

mailto:[email protected]


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1. Background 1.1. There is increasing recognition at a European level of the need to manage

landscapes in an integrated and sustainable way. As a signatory to the

European Landscape Convention (http://www.coe.int/t/e/Cultural_Co-

operation/Environment/Landscape), Cyprus is required to demonstrate

compliance, including:

- to recognise landscapes in law as an essential component of people’s

surroundings, an expression of the diversity of their shared cultural and

natural heritage, and a foundation of their identity;

- to establish and implement landscape policies aimed at landscape

protection, management and planning through the adoption of certain

specific measures;

- to establish procedures for the participation of the general public, local

and regional authorities, and other parties with an interest in the

definition and implementation of landscape policies;

- to integrate landscape into their regional and town planning policies and

their cultural, environmental, agricultural, social and economic policies,

as well as any other policies with possible direct or indirect impact on

landscape.

1.2 This report describes a programme of work to initiate the mapping of landscape

character across the whole island of Cyprus. The work has grown out of a

proposal developed during a Training Workshop on the techniques and

application of Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) at the initiative of the

Laona Foundation, held in Pafos, November 2007. Government officials from the

Antiquities, Forestry and Town Planning Departments participated in the

Workshop as well as representatives from four NGOs. The conclusion reached

was that it would be extremely useful for Cyprus if a programme of work was

undertaken in cooperation with Government to map the landscape character

across the whole island of Cyprus (see project proposal in Appendix I).

1.3 As a result of the above the Department of Town Planning and Housing invited

the Landscape Mapping Group based at the University of Reading, to lead a

http://www.coe.int/t/e/Cultural_Co-operation/Environment/

http://www.coe.int/t/e/Cultural_Co-operation/Environment/


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workshop for all government departments whose work relates to the Cypriot

landscape to demonstrate how the interdisciplinary process of LCA is put into

practice.

2. The Characterisation Process: 2.1 The process of landscape character assessment involves a number of distinct

stages, viz.

- Stage 1. Characterisation

- Stage 2. Evaluation of areas emerging from Stage 1

- Stage 3. Decision-making: responding to the pressures affecting each of

the different landscapes by e.g. developing landscape strategies;

developing management guidelines; assessing the capacity for

landscape change; assessing the degree of protection to conserve

landscape distinctiveness.

2.2 Stages 2 and 3, viz. the evaluation and decision-making components, were not

included in the specification for the present work which has concentrated on

Stage 1, characterisation. This involves the process of identifying and mapping

areas of distinctive character and describing their key characteristics:

Step 1: Defining the scope - the purpose of the LCA will determine the

scale and level of detail of the assessment and the resources

required.

Step 2: Data collection and analysis - this stage involves a review of all

relevant background reports, existing mapped information and

other data sets used to sub-divide the study area into a series of

Land Description Units (LDUs).

Step 3: Field survey - field data is collected to validate and describe each

of the Land Description Units defined by the desk study.

Step 4: Classification and description - the final step is to classify and

describe the character of each type/area.


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3. Review of current work:

This report describes and summarises the following programme of work:

3.1 Defining the scope of the study. The scope of the current project was

determined following discussion with the Laona Foundation and the Department

of Town Planning and Housing. The decision was made, given the current

availability of resources, to map the character of the landscape for the whole

island of Cyprus at the Level 1 scale (Figure 1). The mapping was to be

supported by a limited, reconnaissance level field survey (6 days) to develop a

meaningful landscape typology for Cyprus.

Figure 1. Assessment hierarchy at different levels of spatial resolution

Level 0 BIO-CLIMATIC ZONES (1:1,000,000)

Assessment of visual & cultural associations to

define Landscape Character Areas

Level 1 REGIONAL (1:250,000) Classification of visually significant attributes to define

Landscape Character Types

LAND DESCRIPTION UNITS

Level 2 LOCAL (1:50,000)

Level 3 LANDCOVER PARCELS

(1:10,000)

3.2 Data collection and analysis. The desk study requires expertise in the analysis

of digital map data within a GIS (Geographical Information System), combined

with an understanding of the elements of the landscape that define its character.

Mapping is undertaken visually and requires an understanding of the historical

evolution of different landscapes within the context of their physical setting.


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3.3 A series of map overlays at approximately 1:100 000 scale, were produced for the

whole island using the spatial data derived from digital maps provided by the

Cypriot authorities and stored within the GIS. These maps were used to assist in

the identification and description of relatively homogenous units of land, each with

a similar pattern of physical, ecological and historical attributes. These units,

termed Land Description Units (LDUs) (Χαρακτηριστικές μονάδες τοπίου), are the

building blocks of the landscape and they form the framework on which all

subsequent description, classification and evaluation is based.

3.4 The Cyprus LDUs were defined by a series of definitive attributes (topography,

geology, soils, landcover and settlement pattern). The systematic analysis of map

overlays enables broad patterns to be distinguished and mapped. The first step

in the characterisation process of the Cypriot landscape was to collate all the

relevant, readily available information onto a series of simplified map overlays.

These included:

- Physiography: combined geological (structure) and landform

- Ground type: combined geological (rock type) and soils

- Land cover

- Cultural pattern (settlement) from topographic maps

3.5 Landscape is the result of the shaping of the land through a combination of

natural and man-made processes. Thus most landscapes in Europe (even if

today, they are uninhabited forest) contain cultural elements. The term cultural

(πολιτιστικό) is used here to signify those aspects of the landscape that have

resulted from man-made initiatives such as farming practices, built structures

(e.g. terraces), engineering works – old and new – and settlement patterns.

3.6 Landscape character is a description of general patterns (typologies) at a

landscape scale. The desk study therefore, does not include information about

individual ancient sites and monuments. However, where information about the

location of ancient sites and monuments is available in a digital map form it can

be overlaid to enhance the final landscape mapping. By contrast, information


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about cultural patterns (e.g. land use, settlement patterns, field size & shape) are

of critical significance for Landscape Character Assessment.

3.7 With the exception of land cover (which provides knowledge of produce grown on

the land), the non-availability of cultural data for the whole island, in digital map

form, meant that it was not possible to include a complete cultural component of

the landscape for the landscape character map produced. However, preliminary

interpretation of 1:50 000 scale topographic maps from 1975 provided an

overview of differences in settlement pattern, itself a reflection of the evolution of

landscape, for incorporation into the typology. In particular, a distinction was

made between the following three types:

- A strongly nucleated village pattern with few outlying dwellings:

this pattern is typical of the northern and eastern parts of the

cultivated lowlands of the Mesaoria plain and in the limestone area

to the south west of the Troodos. This landscape feels and often looks

relatively empty with unsettled land between tightly nucleated villages.

- A dispersed pattern: the remaining settled areas are a mixture of

nucleated villages with moderate to high level of scattered dwellings.

This more dispersed pattern of farms and dwellings gives the landscape

a‘ settled’ feel and is typical of the more undulating and hilly topography

of the island.

- Mostly unsettled with few, if any, settlements. Typically the Troodos

and Keryneia ranges of high elevation and steep topography and

forested but alos including the Low Hills Maquis of the Akamas.

3.8 We are particularly aware of the importance of dry-stone structures in the Cypriot

landscape which however, are not yet recorded systematically in map form and

could not be mapped at this stage. Thus future work is needed to collect, collate

and map this missing information (see Discussion, below).

3.9 By overlaying contour height data on top of the geological/soils data the island

was divided initially into broad Physiographic Units. These units were then


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overlaid on the ground type/land cover data and subdivided, where appropriate,

to distinguish the ecological character and inherent capability of the land. This in

turn can be used as a framework for understanding and mapping the historic

pattern of land use and settlement where this information is available. The end

result was a thematic map at a scale of approximately 1:100,000 divided into a

series of discrete Land Description Units.

3.10 We are indebted to the Department of Town Planning for the provision of data in

digital form. Spatial data-sets for the definition of LDUs were collected from the

following sources:

- CORINE Land Cover (http://reports.eea.europa.eu/COR0-landcover/en)

- Cyprus Soil Map (1:250 000 scale)

- Cyprus Geology Map (1:250 000 scale) (Cyprus Geological Survey)

- Cyprus 20m contours (Department of Lands and Surveys)

- Cyprus Topographic Maps (1:50 000) (Department of Lands & Surveys)

4. Reconnaissance Field Visit - June 2008

4.1 A six day familiarisation visit throughout the island was undertaken in June, 2008

to learn more about variations in the character of Cypriot landscapes. Pafos

District had been visited on previous occasions and the consultants were already

familiar with the landscapes of this area. During the visit the two specialists from

Reading were accompanied by Cypriot specialists in ecology, geology and

forestry. The field sample points for the field visit are shown on Figure 2. Almost

100 points were sampled and key landscape features were recorded, including:

dominant vegetation communities; landform; geology and specific cultural

features (land cover and settlement pattern). A field photograph and GPS (Global

Positioning System) were also recorded at each point.


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Figure 2. Location of field sample points with GPS positions (red) and without GPS positions (green)

5. Classification & Description

5.1 A critical component of LCA is the amalgamation of individual Land Description

Units into Landscape Types (Figure 3). Landscape Types share similar natural

and cultural patterns and are described according to their shared character

attributes (Table 1). From our analysis based on the information made available

to us and our own observations during the familiarisation visit, 17 landscape types

have emerged (excluding large urban centres). We would like to stress that this

is no more than a provisional conclusion and we depend heavily on input from

local experts with a more intimate knowledge of the island in order to finalise the

map.

Figure 3. Landscape Types

Table 1. Description of Regional Landscape Character Types in Cyprus (the descriptions were

derived from a seminar held on 6 November 2008 for the presentation and discussion of the

preliminary “Map of Cyprus’ Landscapes”, attended by representatives from all relevant

government departments)

1. High Mountain Forest – Δασώδες τοπίο σε ψηλό υψόμετρο

A sparsely wooded, unsettled landscape with steep slopes and peaks on ultra-basic igneous

rocks generally lying above 1.200m. Characterised by open forest of Pinus nigra with many

endemic plant species.

Ακατοίκητο, ως επί το πλείστον, τοπίο με αραιά φυτοκάλυψη σε έντονα επικλινή εδάφη,

συνήθως πάνω από 1200μ., αποτελούμενα από υπερβασικά πυριγενή πετρώματα. Στο τοπίο

αυτό απαντάται κυρίως μαύρη πεύκη σε αραιές συστάδες καθώς και πολλά ενδημικά είδη

χλωρίδας.

φωτογραφία


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2. Mountain Forest - Δασώδες ορεινό τοπίο

A heavily wooded, largely unsettled, highland landscape associated with steeply/sloping, high

(mostly above 500m) mountains, found typically on resistant volcanic (e.g Troodos) or

metamorphic (e.g Pentadactylos) geology. Prominent rocky features (e.g cliffs, ridges) appear

in places.

Πολύ επικλινές πυκνά δασοκαλυμμένο, ως επί το πλείστον ακατοίκητο ορεινό τοπίο, ύψους

άνω των 500μ., σε ηφαιστειογενή (λ.χ. Τροόδος) ή μεταμορφωμένα (λ.χ. Πενταδάκτυλος)

εδάφη με εμφανή απογυμνωμένα βραχώδη μορφώματα κατά τόπους.



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3. Mountain Maquis (Scrub) – Ορεινή θαμνώδης βλάστηση

Steeply sloping, largely unsettled, high (mostly above 500m) mountains with a covering of

shrubs, typically, the endemic Quercus alnifolia above 100m, and other semi-natural

vegetation. Prominent rocky outcrops and cliffs are a feature of this landscape in places.

Έντονα επικλινές τοπίο, ως επί το πλείστον ακατοίκητο, συνήθως ύψους άνω των 500μ.,

καλυμμένο με θάμνους και άλλη ημιάγρια χαμηλή βλάστηση και με εμφανή απογυμνωμένα

βραχώδη μορφώματα κατά τόπους. Σε υψόμετρο άνω των 100μ. είναι χαρακτηριστική η

ενδημική δρυς, Quercus alnifolia (Λατζιά).



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4. Cultivated Mountains – Καλλιεργημένο ορεινό τοπίο

A settled and cultivated landscape on higher ground, with an undulating, in places steeply

sloping topography, often covered with narrow, stone walled terraces with mixed cultivation,

including a greater or lesser proportion of fruit orchards and vineyards, which thrive on the

mineral rich volcanic soils. Small towns and villages are a characteristic feature of this

landscape, often situated along steep valley sides. Houses are stone built with tiled roofs.

Κατοικημένο και καλλιεργούμενο τοπίο σε ψηλά εδάφη, με έντονα επικλινές και κυματοειδές

τοπογραφικό ανάγλυφο, χαρακτηριζόμενο από ξερολιθικές δόμες, όπου αξιοποιούνται τα

πλούσια ηφαιστιογενή εδάφη για την καλλιέργεια οπωροφόρων δέντρων και/ή αμπελιών

(μεικτές καλλιέργειες). Η παρουσία μικρών οικισμών διεσπαρμένων σε επικλινείς πλευρές

κοιλάδων χαρακτηρίζει το τοπίο αυτό. Τα σπίτια είναι πετρόκτιστα και κεραμοσκεπή.



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5. Limestone Hills Maquis (low forest & scrubland) – Ασβεστολιθικό ορεινό τοπίο με

χαμηλή βλάστηση

An undulating, in places steeply sloping, limestone landscape with a covering of low

woodland (usually Pinus brutia) shrubs and other semi-natural vegetation, often dissected by

deep rocky gorges. Although largely unsettled, there are often small patches of cultivated

land.

Μορφολογικά κυματοειδές και κατά τόπους έντονα επικλινές τοπίο σε ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη,

που καλύπτονται κυρίως από χαμηλά δάση πεύκης (Pinus brutia), ή άλλη χαμηλή ημιάγρια

βλάστηση, και που συχνά τέμνεται από βαθειές, βραχώδεις χαράδρες. Μολονότι είναι εν

πολλοίς ακατοίκητες περιοχές, υπάρχουν κατά τόπους μικρές εκτάσεις καλλιεργούμενες σε

αναβαθμίδες.



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6. Limestone Hills Vineyards – Ορεινό τοπίο με αμπελώνες σε ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη

An undulating, in places steeply sloping, cultivated limestone landscape, with discrete rural

villages and frequent vineyards, often located along narrow, stone walled terraces. Τhe

settlements are composed of small houses built of local stone, in some areas flat-roofed and

in others pitched and tiled.

Κυματοειδές και κατά τόπους έντονα επικλινές τοπίο σε ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη με διάσπαρτους

μικρούς οικισμούς, και με αμπελώνες καλλιεργημένους σε στενές αναβαθμίδες με ξερολιθικές

δόμες. Οι οικισμοί αποτελούνται από μικρές λιθόκτιστες κατοικίες με άλλοτε επίπεδες στέγες

(δώμα) και άλλοτε επικλινείς στέγες με κεραμίδι



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7. Limestone Hills Cultivated (with rain-fed tree crops) - Καλλιεργημένο ορεινό τοπίο σε

ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη

A settled and cultivated upland limestone landscape, characterised by discrete rural villages,

surrounded by a well defined pattern of small, walled fields and terraced hillsides. Typical tree-

crops are carob, almond and olive intermixed with other cultivation.

Κατοικημένο ημιορεινό τοπίο με ξηρικές καλλιέργειες σε ασβεστολιθικά εδάφη που

χαρακτηρίζεται από οικισμούς και διακριτούς μικρούς αγροτικούς κλήρους, διαμορφωμένους

σε βουνοπλαγιές με λιθοδομές και αναβαθμίδες. Κύριες καλλιέργειες είναι η ελιά, ή

αμυγδαλιά κι η χαρουπιά ανάμεικτες με άλλα είδη.



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8. Low hills forest – Ημιορεινό δασικό τοπίο

A largely unsettled landscape heavily to sparsely covered with low woodland of coniferous

species associated with an undulating, in places steeply sloping topography. This landscape

often has patches of shrubs and other semi-natural vegetation intermixed with the woodland.

Δασοκαλυμμένο, με χαμηλή πεύκη ή άλλα κωνοφόρα βλάστηση, κατά το πλείστον μη

κατοικημένο τοπίο με κυματοειδές και κατά τόπους απότομο επικλινές τοπογραφικό

ανάγλυφο. Συχνά εμφανίζονται ανάμεσα στις δασώδεις εκτάσεις, μικρές εκτάσεις (ξέφωτα), με

ημιάγρια χαμηλή βλάστηση.



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9. Low Hills Maquis (Scrublands) – Ημιορεινό μακιά

Undulating, largely unsettled, low (below 500m) hills, with a covering of shrubs and other

semi-natural vegetation.

Κυματοειδή, ακαλλιέργητα και ακατοίκητα ημιορεινά εδάφη, ύψους κάτω των 500μ.,

καλυμμένα με ημιάγρια χαμηλή βλάστηση.



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10. Lowland Maquis – Πεδινή μακία

A rolling, largely unsettled, lowland landscape with a covering of shrubs and other semi-

natural vegetation.

Ήπιο λοφώδες, ακαλλιέργητο και, εν πολλοίς, ακατοίκητο πεδινό τοπίο, καλυμμένο με

θαμνώδη μακία, ή άλλη ημιάγρια βλάστηση.



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11. Low Hills Cultivated (mixed cultivation, mostly rain fed) – Ημιορεινό τοπίο με ξηρικές

καλλιέργειες

An undulating, cultivated landscape of low (below 500m) hills, characterised by olive, almond

and carob trees, with patches of shrubby semi-natural vegetation. Settlement is largely

restricted to discrete rural villages.

Κυματοειδές, αραιοκατοικημένο και καλλιεργημένο τοπίο σε λόφους κάτω των 500μ., με

ξηρικές δενδρώδεις καλλιέργειες όπως ελιά, αμυγδαλιά και χαρουπιά, με παρεμβαλλόμενες

μικρές ακαλλιέργητες εκτάσεις χαμηλής φυσικής βλάστησης.



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12. Lowlands Cultivated – Καλλιεργημένο πεδινό τοπίο

A settled and cultivated lowland landscape, with discrete rural villages. Although mostly low

lying, with a gently rolling topography, this landscape also includes a scattering of prominent,

small hills.

Kαλλιεργούμενο, ελαφρά λοφώδες, πεδινό τοπίο με διάσπαρτους οικισμούς, μέσα από το

οποίο ξεπροβάλλουν και εμφανή υψώματα.



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13. Lowland citrus (Irrigated Perennial Cultivation) – Πεδινό τοπίο με φυτείες

εσπεριδοειδών

A settled and cultivated, low-lying landscape, typically on the coastal plain (Paphos Pissouri),

but also extending up some valley flood plains (e.g Polis, Diarizos) with large groves of

irrigated, intensely cultivated, tree crops such as citrus, avocado, banana, pecan.

Κατοικημένο και καλλιεργούμενο πεδινό τοπίο, χαρακτηριστικό των παράκτιων πεδιάδων

(Πάφος Πισσούρι), που επεκτείνεται και στις κοιλάδες που προέκυψαν από τις διευρυμένες

κοίτες ποταμών (λ.χ Πόλη Χρυσοχούς, Διάριζος). Καλλιεργούνται εντατικά αρδευόμενες

φυτείες εσπεριδοειδών, μπανανιών, αβοκάτο και πεκάν.



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14. Alluvial flats – Τοπίο σ’ επίπεδα εδάφη με προσχώσεις

A flat, largely unsettled, low-lying landscape, associated with seasonal river channels and

their flat plains. Much of the land is cultivated, but patches of pastoral grazing land are a

feature in places.

Επίπεδο, ακατοίκητο, πεδινό τοπίο σχετιζόμενο με τις διευρυμένες κοίτες ποταμών. Μεγάλες

εκτάσεις καλλιεργούνται, αλλά κατά τόπους υπάρχουν και ακαλλιέργητα βοσκοτόπια.



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15. Salt lake – Αλυκή (υφάλμυρη λίμνη)

Bare land in an undrained natural basin, periodically inundated with salt water.

Απογυμνωμένα εδάφη σε φυσικές λεκάνες χωρίς αποστράγγιση με πολύ χαμηλό υψόμετρο

που περιοδικά γεμίζουν με αλμυρό νερό.



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16. Coastal Dunes – Παράκτιες αμμοθίνες

Low hills of unconsolidated sand, associated with a strip of bare sand/pebbles, along the

coast. This is an unsettled, ‘wild’ landscape with a covering of shrubs and other semi-natural

vegetation, although patches of bare ground are a feature in places.

Λοφίσκοι αποτελούμενοι από χαλαρή άμμο που βρίσκονται σε παράκτιες περιοχές. Κατά

μήκος της παραλίας παρατηρείται λωρίδα από αμμώδες ή χαλικώδες έδαφος. Μπορεί να

χαρακτηριστεί ως φυσικό ‘’άγριο’’ τοπίο, που συχνά καλύπτεται με πόες, αλλά απαντώνται και

εκτάσεις απογυμνωμένου εδάφους.

17. Urban – Αστικό τοπίο

Larger built up areas.

Κατοικήσιμες περιοχές μεγάλης έκτασης.



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6. Discussion and Further Work

6.1 Level 1 Mapping. The provisional Landscape Types at Level 1 (1:100 000) are the first step

towards the development of a full Landscape Character Assessment. Further work is now

needed to:

- validate the Level 1 mapping, including the spatial pattern of landscape units and the

typology.

- incorporate additional information on cultural patterns.

6.2 Validation of the Level 1 Land description Units and associated landscape typology will follow

consultation with interested bodies in Cyprus, including the Department of Town Planning and

other departments whose work relates to the landscape and its future management and

protection. The limited cultural component, particularly in relation to farming systems and

associated field patterns, will need to be considered in future work. It is likely that this will

involve the use of a combination of information from a variety of sources, including

documentary evidence, old maps and additional field survey.

6.2 Level 2 Mapping The Level 1 mapping provides a robust and consistent framework within

which to map landscape character at a finer (1:50 000) scale at Level 2 (see Figure 1). In the

absence of other data, especially on cultural patterns, Level 2 mapping in Cyprus would

require a combination of historical air-photography and modern, fine scale satellite imagery.

These data sources would enable the detailed patterns of settlement and field systems to be

combined with improved land use mapping at the appropriate scale for Level 2 mapping.

Improved land cover information is now available as part of the CORINE programme.

6.3 Evaluation & Applications. The main purpose of the evaluation stage is to give a consistent

and informed approach to:

- defining landscape and land use strategies;

- developing management guidelines;

- evaluating landscape sensitivity/capacity for development;

- attaching status to landscapes, including the degree of protection.


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The evaluation and decision making stage therefore, should provide the information required

to answer the following questions:

- What needs to be done to retain/enhance pattern and diversity in landscape?

- Where resources should be targeted to achieve the greatest landscape benefit?

- How can change and development be accommodated, with minimum impact on

regional diversity and local distinctiveness?

The LDUs provide the framework within which to collect additional field survey information to

determine landscape condition, an essential component of the Evaluation Phase and other,

more detailed information on land use, habitats and settlements as part of a full Landscape

Character Assessment.

6.4 Conclusion. The present Level 1 map, when completed with comments from local experts, is

a first-ever exercise in identifying and mapping the various landscapes that make up the

picture of Cyprus. So far a variety of single dimension maps had been developed, which have

now been combined to demonstrate:

- the wide variety of typical landscapes;

- the fact that this variety will be greater when the missing cultural elements (e.g.

field systems, dry stone walls and terraces) are mapped;

- the need to proceed with the recording and mapping of these cultural elements;

- that the same type of landscape appears in various parts of the island cutting across

administrative boundaries, and will in due course call for an integrated approach to

management.

6.5 Clearly this Level 1 map needs to be enhanced with contributions from local experts to

complete missing or inadequately understood elements. The next step will involve mapping,

on the basis of this map, a more detailed one at a scale of 1:50 000 before proceeding to the

evaluation stage (see para 6.3). In many countries the process of Landscape Character

Assessment is conducted with assistance from local academic institutions, not only because

of the valuable training it provides, but also because such institutions are an ideal repository

for the data generated which remains accessible to scholars from different disciplines.


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The Consultants

The Landscape Mapping Group (formerly the Living Landscapes Project), based at The

University of Reading, was established in 1999 as a partnership between local authorities,

academic institutions and national government agencies. The aim of the Group has been to

develop and apply a consistent and objective approach to landscape character assessment at

a range of spatial scales and across a variety of environments. The approach to landscape

mapping developed by the Group has been widely adopted in the UK and is now being used

as a framework for a wide variety of land management and planning policy applications. The

Group have also worked abroad, especially in the Mediterranean, and have been successful

in winning research and project funding from many sources including national and

international agencies.


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APPENDIX 1: Cyprus Landscape Mapping Project Proposal Background There is increasing recognition at a European level of the need to manage landscapes in an integrated and sustainable way. This proposal describes a programme of work to map differences in landscape character across the whole island of Cyprus. Landscape character is defined as a distinct and recognisable pattern of elements (including landform, geology, soils, land use and settlement) that occur consistently in a particular area. These patterns can be mapped at a range of spatial scales.

Landscape character can be used to:

- protect and enhance the natural and historic environment;

- facilitate and promote sustainable urban and rural development

- protect biodiversity, natural habitats, the historic environment and landscape character.

Landscape Character Assessment [source: Landscape Character Assessment –Guidance for Scotland & England, 2002]. Stage 1: Characterisation The process of identifying and mapping areas of distinctive character and describing their key characteristics: Step 1: Defining the scope. The purpose of the LCA will determine the scale and level of detail of the assessment and the resources required. Step 2: Desk study. This stage involves a review of all relevant background reports, existing mapped information and other data sets, in order to sub-divide the study area into a series of Land Description Units (LDUs). These units can then be used to develop a series of map overlays to assist in the identification of areas of common character. Step 3: Field survey. Field data is collected in a rigorous way in order to check, and then describe each of the Land Description Units defined by the desk study. The aim is to highlight the essential characteristics of each LDU, to identify the aesthetic and perceptual qualities which are not usually evident from desk study, and to identify the current condition of landscape elements. Step 4: Classification and description. The final step is to classify and describe the character of each type/area. These descriptions often emphasise ‘forces for change’, such as key development pressures and trends in land management. Stage 2: Evaluation The evaluation stage is designed to establish:

- landscape strategies;

- management guidelines;

- evaluate landscape sensitivity/capacity for development;

- attaching status to landscapes, including degree of protection.


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The Current proposal The current proposal is to initiate the Characterisation Stage of the assessment process, specifically: - To define the scope of the study in consultation with the funding agency and other, in-country experts.

As part of this process, a familiarisation visit will be undertaken to allow those involved in carrying out the assessment to learn more about variations in the character of Cypriot landscapes. This is sufficient to establish the spatial framework of Land Description Units.

The LDUs provide the framework within which to collect additional field survey information to determine landscape condition, an essential component of the Evaluation Phase (see below) and other, more detailed information on land use, habitats and settlements as part of the full Landscape Character Assessment.

- Desk study: to include the collation of spatial data (landform, geology, soils, land use, settlement patterns) and the generation of a regional (Level 1) map of LDUs, within a Geographical Information System (GIS) framework, across the whole island. Landscape character is a description of general patterns at a landscape scale. The desk study therefore, does not include information about individual ancient sites and monuments. However, where information about the location of ancient sites and monuments is available in a digital map form it can be overlaid onto the landscape mapping.

The desk study requires expertise in the analysis of digital map data within a GIS combined with an understanding of the components of the landscape that define its character. Mapping is undertaken visually based upon the Consultant’s considerable experience of different landscapes types across Europe, including the Mediterranean. This requires an understanding of the historical evolution of different landscapes within the context of their physical setting and the experience to recognize and map this complex interrelationship.

- Field survey. At this stage only a reconnaissance survey will be undertaken (see above) to ensure familiarity with the range of landscapes that characterise the island of Cyprus.

- Classification & description. A series of map overlays, at approx. 1:100 000 scale, will be produced for the whole island using the LDU based spatial data stored within the GIS. These maps will be used to assist in the identification and description of areas of common character.

The maps and report will be presented at a one-day meeting in Nicosia in the Autumn of 2008. This meeting will involve members of the Landscape Mapping Group (Dr Geoffrey Griffiths, Steven Warnock and Dr Ioannis Vogiatzakis).

Documents

Cyprus Landscape Mapping Project Final Report December 2008 · was that it would be extremely useful for Cyprus if a programme of work was undertaken in cooperation with Government