The terraced landscape in the Brkini hills

Abstract

This article presents cultivated terraces as social and economic landscape elements that are closely connected with natural conditions. The theoretical part, which presents some of the professional activities connected with terraced landscapes and examples of studying them around the globe, is followed by a detailed presentation of the features of the unique terraced landscape in the Brkini Hills, Slovenia. Its features, changes, and development trends are placed within the context of the natural features of the area studied, especially its relief conditions and aspect, as well as unfavorable demographic characteristics and modern agricultural trends. Despite modern mechanized farming, the remaining farmers are finding it increasingly more difficult to maintain the cultural landscape. The former tilled terraces were converted into meadows decades ago. Many terraces are being overgrown. Afforestation threatens the future existence of cultural landscapes and affects their development potential and significance as a cultural value.