The impact of economic, social and political factors on the landscape structure of the Vidzeme Uplands in Latvia

Since land reform in the 1990s, following the restoration of Latvian independence, when land-ownership was restored to the original owners or their descendants, much of the farmland in the Vidzeme Uplands has become abandoned or is used less intensively. As a result of ecological succession, by the gradual colonisation of agricultural land by shrubs and trees, the landscape structure has changed. Initially, increased landscape heterogeneity has been observed, which may later change to become a more homogeneous landscape pattern. This paper considers the current socio-economic conditions in the area and their anticipated impact on landscape structure.