ELCAI: European landscape character assessment initiative

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 03.0105

Key words (English)

Environmental Protection; Forecasting; Meteorology; Resources of the Sea; Fisheries

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: EVK2-CT-2002-80021

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.4a.2 Global change, climate and biodiversity

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL

Abstract (English)

The goal is to develop existing expertise on landscape character assessment at t he national and international level as a policy-tool for safeguarding Europe's cultural landscapes. The 4 project phases are as follows:
1. Inventory: technical review of national and international landscape character assessments, compilation of data, policy review and contact with stakeholders and data suppliers;
2. Synthesis: analysing indicator-based assessments, comparing geographic reference base (landscape maps and typology) and presentation of results in interim report;
3. International workshop: discussing gaps, opportunities & strategies with users;
4. Disseminatiton: publication of scientific report, policy brochure and Internet Database.

- To review the state-of-the-art landscape character assessments for 17 European countries as well as international approaches by Joint Research Centre, Eurostat and the EEEA/ETC TE with special focus on the development of a common European landscape typology, map and core set of indicators;
- to review existing landscape policies at the national and international level;
- to initiate inter-agency cooperation in support of sectoral integration and stakeholder involvement when developing and applying new assessment tools;
- to organize an international workshop for cross-disciplinary exchange and stakeholder input;
- to disseminate t he key products (report, map and indicators) by means of a scientific report, a policy brochure and an internet database, providing guidance.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 03.0105