SMALL-SCALE MAPPING OF CULTURAL LANDSCAPES

T.M. Krasovskaya, O.I. Kotova, V.S. Tikunov

M.V.Lomonosov Moscow State University

tikunov@geogr.msu.su

Cultural landscape is a historical product of natural and social interrelations at a certain territory. Cultural landscapes identification is necessary for the sake of natural and cultural heritage actualization, promoting processes of regional identities creation at territories with high population migration activity, landscape planning i.e. creates fundamentals of territorial sustainable development. Development of their components forms many areas, combination of which represents cultural landscapes boundaries. Different evolution time of cultural landscapes explains possible existence of their modern innovative and historical types at one and the same territory. Such spatial and temporal pattern of development makes more complicated the procedure of their identification and representation.

Areas of cultural landscapes may be revealed with the help of fuzzy classification algorithm. It enables single detecting of territorial units belonging not only to one genesis class, but in case of transit character, to several different classes at the same time. Such classification is helpful in case of fuzzy, transit classes’ boundaries. It must be considered in mathematic modelling and mapping as well.

Small scale mapping task based on this algorithm is exemplified by cultural landscapes mapping in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (HMAO) The following assessment characteristics were used for cultural landscapes classification matrix: types of lands revealing natural environment patterns for traditional nature management; toponymic areas (Khanty, Mansi, Tartar, Russian etc., ethno-cultural (social-cultural) settlement areas, patterns of spiritual culture objects distribution, cultural-economic types of nature management. These characteristics were analyzed following a regular grid (60x 60 km, 86 grids in total) which was applied for the territory. Such grid variant is explained by spatial variability of cultural landscapes as well as available data.

The suggested method is based on a modification of typological algorithm. At the first stage dispersion setting of initial indices was done. The procedure of multi-variant typology was realized using criterion of group minimization indices internal differences, corresponding to analyzed grids during their combination into different number of fuzzy and clear groups. 5 taxons consolidating cultural landscapes of different types were received. Small scale of mapping as well as complicated combinations of aborigine and innovative cultural landscapes stipulated expert distinguishing of another two groups within two taxons received by the mathematical procedure described earlier. Expert knowledge of cultural landscapes principle differentiation characteristics enabled to specify position of their boundaries. Finally 7 types of cultural landscapes representing regional social-natural systems were mapped.