and vice versa, such reflection is imperative. It is crucial to know what role landscape research... more and vice versa, such reflection is imperative. It is crucial to know what role landscape research can play in planning metropolitan landscapes and how concepts from the planning of metropolitan landscapes can be used in landscape research. The introductory chapter to this book raised the questions of whether metropolitan landscapes exist and whether we can plan them. Both questions characterize the difficulty of planning metropolitan landscapes because the underlying assumption is that metropolitan landscapes do physically exist and that they can be defined and planned. Many researchers and planners would agree that metropolitan landscapes exist. However, when asked for criteria to define and delimit them, answers are sparse. In a planning context, the existence of metropolitan landscapes is not the question of concern; rather, the focus lies on discussing and solving problems that occur within an area called the “metropolitan landscape”. Therefore, the statement that we can “plan” ...
Development and Perspectives of Landscape Ecology, 2002
The language game of landscape ecology entails several action-guiding verbs like “promote”, “enha... more The language game of landscape ecology entails several action-guiding verbs like “promote”, “enhance”, “restore”, “preserve”, “safeguard”, “ensure”, “upgrade” to name just a few. They are closely related to conceptions of what should be done. Due to this evaluative and protective character of landscape ecology and due to its connectivity with evaluations, planning, and decision making it seems urgent to add philosophical and ethical considerations to the overall transdisciplinary research program of landscape ecology. Due to the multi-facetted concept of landscape these considerations should be performed in a more reflective way. It is quite trivial to say that humans are responsible for the regions they inhabit since they are designing and planning of how to modify landscapes according to their objectives and values. The notion of responsibility is intrinsically related to values, obligations, and principles which are debated in ethics. These categories will be analyzed in Chapter 7.1.2. In a further step the underlying ethical aspects of different disciplinary perspectives will be outlined (see Chapter 7.1.3). At the end of this investigation it shall be asked how different perspectives are related to each other. Additionally, the relationship between landscape evaluation and the concept of sustainability will be explored (see Chapter 7.1.4). In a final section, it will be pointed out how the rightness of procedures and the goodness of outcomes are related in cultural debates about how to take responsible care of landscapes (see Chapter 7.1.5). It will be argued that a highly democratic and discursive approach in landscape planning could provide “good” outcomes if some general insights of environmental ethics are presupposed and taken seriously.
This chapter discusses challenges for PhD students involved in integrative landscape research. Th... more This chapter discusses challenges for PhD students involved in integrative landscape research. These challenges include terminology, epistemology, expectations, stakeholder involvement, organizational barriers, communicating and publishing, as well as career development. The chapter presents recommendations for future integrative landscape research involving PhD students and prospects for future education. The recommendations are based on our experiences in research and teaching in general, and on our exchanges with the students in the PhD master class in particular. The recommendations also reflect on the conclusions that can be drawn
Springer’s innovative Landscape Series is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts that a... more Springer’s innovative Landscape Series is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts that approach the concept of landscape from a broad range of perspec-tives. Encouraging contributions on theory development, as well as more applied studies, the series attracts outstanding research from the natural and social sciences, and from the humanities and the arts. It also provides a leading forum for publica-tions from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams. Drawing on, and synthesising, this integrative approach the Springer Landscape Series aims to add new and innovative insights into the multidimensional nature of landscapes. Landscapes provide homes and livelihoods to diverse peoples; they house historic – and prehistoric – artefacts; and they comprise complex physical, chemical and biological systems. They are also shaped and governed by human societies who base their existence on the use of the natural resources; people enjoy the aesthetic qualities and recreational faci...
European landscapes change rapidly due to increasing pressure of urbanization on agricultural lan... more European landscapes change rapidly due to increasing pressure of urbanization on agricultural land. Thus, there is a large interest from policy and public on the future shape of landscapes. The interest is putting high demands on individuals that are involved in the decision-making and research process. Landscape indicators get increasing importance in current studies on landscapes change, but—as well as countryside-monitoring activities—they are focused on illustrating past and present changes. This paper would like to propose a supplementary approach to research the future shape of landscapes. A scenario approach is suggested to cope with identification and integration of interests in future agriculturally used landscapes. Future alternatives for development in rural areas are presented for a rural area in Denmark. With the help of four distinctively different paths of future development of the area—industrial agriculture, recreation and tourism, nature conservation and residentia...
A holistic theory of landscapes should become an integral part of the conceptual foundation of go... more A holistic theory of landscapes should become an integral part of the conceptual foundation of goal-oriented and mission-driven landscape ecology. Based on a dynamic systems view, emerging from the recent paradigm shifts and insights gained from findings on complexity and wholeness multifunctional landscapes should be conceived as tangible, mixed natural and cultural interacting middle-number systems and as the concrete, self-organizing Gestalt systems of our Total Human Ecosystem. Ranging from the smallest mappable ecotope holon to the global ecosphere landscape, they should be studied, upgraded, managed and evaluated with a biperspectivable systems view, treating them simultaneously both as products of both material, natural biogeophysical systems and as mental, cognitive noospheric systems. This can be achieved with the help of innovative transdisciplinary approaches and research methods, in close cooperation between landscape ecologists and ecologically oriented scientists from ...
Today’s landscapes are—as part of the urbanisation process of the countryside—increasingly being ... more Today’s landscapes are—as part of the urbanisation process of the countryside—increasingly being used for several functions and interests such as housing, recreation, business and production, water management, nature conservation, agriculture, and infrastructure (Antrop, 2000; Valk, 2002a; Tress & Tress, 2003). Areas are under increasing pressure because more and more demands are being placed on them (figure 1). All these interests compete with each other for influence on, and space in, the countryside. However, as areas cannot be continuously enlarged, more and more functions must be integrated simultaneously in a given landscape. This development challenges future landscape research, planning and management and calls for system innovations. Figure 1: Different interests in and functions of landscapes
Some personal thoughts are discussed based upon the author’s experience of landscape research as ... more Some personal thoughts are discussed based upon the author’s experience of landscape research as a geographer to whom the holistic character of landscape as the result of natural processes and human activities is obvious and thus the interdisciplinary approach as well. The growing demand for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary landscape research is recent and is an attempt to reintroduce lost skills. Interdisciplinarity was lost when scientific disciplines were specialising and society became too complex to be comprehended as a whole. The scientific specialisation develops parallel to the economic specialisation and the market-oriented competition. These processes change landscapes but also the way research is done. Interand transdisciplinarity are often used in a very pragmatic way that is when it is convenient for getting funding, strengthens the position of one’s own discipline or helps promotion. Also, landscape sciences hardly receive a solid position in the academic world....
Research policy favours projects that integrate disciplinary knowledge and involve non-academic s... more Research policy favours projects that integrate disciplinary knowledge and involve non-academic stakeholders. Consequently, integrative concepts - interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity - are gaining currency in landscape research and planning. Researchers are excited by the prospect of merging disciplinary and non-academic expertise to improve their understanding and performance, but often struggle with the challenges of operationalizing integration. This book provides guidelines for those coping with these challenges, whether they are members of an integrative research team or individuals working on a problem that demands integration. They must define terminology, choose appropriate methodologies, overcome epistemological barriers and cope with the high expectations of some stakeholders while encouraging others to participate at all. The book deals with the development of integrative theory and concepts, the development of integrative tools and methods, training and education for integration, and the application of integrative concepts in landscape research. As it also presents examples of successful integrative PhD studies, it is not only valuable for experienced scientists but will also help other PhD students find their way in integrative research.
In this paper, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a paper for successful publication... more In this paper, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a paper for successful publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We propose a ten-step approach to the entire process of paper writing from preparation, manuscript writing, and submission to the stages of peer-review and revision. The steps include defining paper objectives, authorship, journal selection, writing routines, requirements of manuscript sections, editing and proof-reading as well as how to communicate successfully in submission and review.
Geografisk Tidsskrift-Danish Journal of Geography, 2001
Expanded organic food production has been an issue of public de-bate in Denmark since its promoti... more Expanded organic food production has been an issue of public de-bate in Denmark since its promotion by two government-sponsored plans. Yet the number of organic farms, constituting 5 % of all Dan-ish farms, is still small. Farmers' attitudes and motivations around ...
and vice versa, such reflection is imperative. It is crucial to know what role landscape research... more and vice versa, such reflection is imperative. It is crucial to know what role landscape research can play in planning metropolitan landscapes and how concepts from the planning of metropolitan landscapes can be used in landscape research. The introductory chapter to this book raised the questions of whether metropolitan landscapes exist and whether we can plan them. Both questions characterize the difficulty of planning metropolitan landscapes because the underlying assumption is that metropolitan landscapes do physically exist and that they can be defined and planned. Many researchers and planners would agree that metropolitan landscapes exist. However, when asked for criteria to define and delimit them, answers are sparse. In a planning context, the existence of metropolitan landscapes is not the question of concern; rather, the focus lies on discussing and solving problems that occur within an area called the “metropolitan landscape”. Therefore, the statement that we can “plan” ...
Development and Perspectives of Landscape Ecology, 2002
The language game of landscape ecology entails several action-guiding verbs like “promote”, “enha... more The language game of landscape ecology entails several action-guiding verbs like “promote”, “enhance”, “restore”, “preserve”, “safeguard”, “ensure”, “upgrade” to name just a few. They are closely related to conceptions of what should be done. Due to this evaluative and protective character of landscape ecology and due to its connectivity with evaluations, planning, and decision making it seems urgent to add philosophical and ethical considerations to the overall transdisciplinary research program of landscape ecology. Due to the multi-facetted concept of landscape these considerations should be performed in a more reflective way. It is quite trivial to say that humans are responsible for the regions they inhabit since they are designing and planning of how to modify landscapes according to their objectives and values. The notion of responsibility is intrinsically related to values, obligations, and principles which are debated in ethics. These categories will be analyzed in Chapter 7.1.2. In a further step the underlying ethical aspects of different disciplinary perspectives will be outlined (see Chapter 7.1.3). At the end of this investigation it shall be asked how different perspectives are related to each other. Additionally, the relationship between landscape evaluation and the concept of sustainability will be explored (see Chapter 7.1.4). In a final section, it will be pointed out how the rightness of procedures and the goodness of outcomes are related in cultural debates about how to take responsible care of landscapes (see Chapter 7.1.5). It will be argued that a highly democratic and discursive approach in landscape planning could provide “good” outcomes if some general insights of environmental ethics are presupposed and taken seriously.
This chapter discusses challenges for PhD students involved in integrative landscape research. Th... more This chapter discusses challenges for PhD students involved in integrative landscape research. These challenges include terminology, epistemology, expectations, stakeholder involvement, organizational barriers, communicating and publishing, as well as career development. The chapter presents recommendations for future integrative landscape research involving PhD students and prospects for future education. The recommendations are based on our experiences in research and teaching in general, and on our exchanges with the students in the PhD master class in particular. The recommendations also reflect on the conclusions that can be drawn
Springer’s innovative Landscape Series is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts that a... more Springer’s innovative Landscape Series is committed to publishing high-quality manuscripts that approach the concept of landscape from a broad range of perspec-tives. Encouraging contributions on theory development, as well as more applied studies, the series attracts outstanding research from the natural and social sciences, and from the humanities and the arts. It also provides a leading forum for publica-tions from interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams. Drawing on, and synthesising, this integrative approach the Springer Landscape Series aims to add new and innovative insights into the multidimensional nature of landscapes. Landscapes provide homes and livelihoods to diverse peoples; they house historic – and prehistoric – artefacts; and they comprise complex physical, chemical and biological systems. They are also shaped and governed by human societies who base their existence on the use of the natural resources; people enjoy the aesthetic qualities and recreational faci...
European landscapes change rapidly due to increasing pressure of urbanization on agricultural lan... more European landscapes change rapidly due to increasing pressure of urbanization on agricultural land. Thus, there is a large interest from policy and public on the future shape of landscapes. The interest is putting high demands on individuals that are involved in the decision-making and research process. Landscape indicators get increasing importance in current studies on landscapes change, but—as well as countryside-monitoring activities—they are focused on illustrating past and present changes. This paper would like to propose a supplementary approach to research the future shape of landscapes. A scenario approach is suggested to cope with identification and integration of interests in future agriculturally used landscapes. Future alternatives for development in rural areas are presented for a rural area in Denmark. With the help of four distinctively different paths of future development of the area—industrial agriculture, recreation and tourism, nature conservation and residentia...
A holistic theory of landscapes should become an integral part of the conceptual foundation of go... more A holistic theory of landscapes should become an integral part of the conceptual foundation of goal-oriented and mission-driven landscape ecology. Based on a dynamic systems view, emerging from the recent paradigm shifts and insights gained from findings on complexity and wholeness multifunctional landscapes should be conceived as tangible, mixed natural and cultural interacting middle-number systems and as the concrete, self-organizing Gestalt systems of our Total Human Ecosystem. Ranging from the smallest mappable ecotope holon to the global ecosphere landscape, they should be studied, upgraded, managed and evaluated with a biperspectivable systems view, treating them simultaneously both as products of both material, natural biogeophysical systems and as mental, cognitive noospheric systems. This can be achieved with the help of innovative transdisciplinary approaches and research methods, in close cooperation between landscape ecologists and ecologically oriented scientists from ...
Today’s landscapes are—as part of the urbanisation process of the countryside—increasingly being ... more Today’s landscapes are—as part of the urbanisation process of the countryside—increasingly being used for several functions and interests such as housing, recreation, business and production, water management, nature conservation, agriculture, and infrastructure (Antrop, 2000; Valk, 2002a; Tress & Tress, 2003). Areas are under increasing pressure because more and more demands are being placed on them (figure 1). All these interests compete with each other for influence on, and space in, the countryside. However, as areas cannot be continuously enlarged, more and more functions must be integrated simultaneously in a given landscape. This development challenges future landscape research, planning and management and calls for system innovations. Figure 1: Different interests in and functions of landscapes
Some personal thoughts are discussed based upon the author’s experience of landscape research as ... more Some personal thoughts are discussed based upon the author’s experience of landscape research as a geographer to whom the holistic character of landscape as the result of natural processes and human activities is obvious and thus the interdisciplinary approach as well. The growing demand for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary landscape research is recent and is an attempt to reintroduce lost skills. Interdisciplinarity was lost when scientific disciplines were specialising and society became too complex to be comprehended as a whole. The scientific specialisation develops parallel to the economic specialisation and the market-oriented competition. These processes change landscapes but also the way research is done. Interand transdisciplinarity are often used in a very pragmatic way that is when it is convenient for getting funding, strengthens the position of one’s own discipline or helps promotion. Also, landscape sciences hardly receive a solid position in the academic world....
Research policy favours projects that integrate disciplinary knowledge and involve non-academic s... more Research policy favours projects that integrate disciplinary knowledge and involve non-academic stakeholders. Consequently, integrative concepts - interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity - are gaining currency in landscape research and planning. Researchers are excited by the prospect of merging disciplinary and non-academic expertise to improve their understanding and performance, but often struggle with the challenges of operationalizing integration. This book provides guidelines for those coping with these challenges, whether they are members of an integrative research team or individuals working on a problem that demands integration. They must define terminology, choose appropriate methodologies, overcome epistemological barriers and cope with the high expectations of some stakeholders while encouraging others to participate at all. The book deals with the development of integrative theory and concepts, the development of integrative tools and methods, training and education for integration, and the application of integrative concepts in landscape research. As it also presents examples of successful integrative PhD studies, it is not only valuable for experienced scientists but will also help other PhD students find their way in integrative research.
In this paper, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a paper for successful publication... more In this paper, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a paper for successful publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We propose a ten-step approach to the entire process of paper writing from preparation, manuscript writing, and submission to the stages of peer-review and revision. The steps include defining paper objectives, authorship, journal selection, writing routines, requirements of manuscript sections, editing and proof-reading as well as how to communicate successfully in submission and review.
Geografisk Tidsskrift-Danish Journal of Geography, 2001
Expanded organic food production has been an issue of public de-bate in Denmark since its promoti... more Expanded organic food production has been an issue of public de-bate in Denmark since its promotion by two government-sponsored plans. Yet the number of organic farms, constituting 5 % of all Dan-ish farms, is still small. Farmers' attitudes and motivations around ...
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