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I. Kotsev, B. Prodanov

Abstract

The landscape perceived as a physiographic complex is a theoretical concept adopted in some Eastern European countries and former USSR states. According to this notion, the landscape is a spatially defined fragment of the geographic sphere, a genetically uniform geo-ecosystem, having definite resource potential and transformed to a certain extent by humans. Pursuant to these ideas, the landscape comprises a mosaic of interlinked, hierarchically organized sub-systems, implying for taxonomic subordination of the physiographic units. How ?big? is a landscape? Pursuant to the above-mentioned notion, the answer is: depends on the hierarchic level, in relation to the mapping scale at which a particular study is carried out. A landscape may encompass a whole ecotone, as broad as the Eurasian forest-steppe. It may simultaneously be as small as a coastal foredune. ?he Bulgarian coast is so intriguing in landscape perspective due to its intermediary character. Located between the temperate-continental and Mediterranean climates, influenced by the immediate vicinity of the Black Sea, the study area is characterized by a great variety of landscape combinations, greatly varying in latitude. Nevertheless, climate is just one among several factors that have shaped out this complex diversity. The paleogeography of the Black Sea and the contiguous coastlines, the lithologic composition, topography, contemporary geo- and morphodynamics, soil pattern, moisture regime, vegetation etc., all these interact as a holistic system and have contributed in the formation of the rich landscape diversity found here. Last but not the least important factor is the anthropogenic activity, as the Black Sea coast has undergone millennia of transformations by being among the very first permanently populated regions in South Europe. Several graphic data sources were used in the process of landscape analysis and interpretation carried out in GIS. Polygons of the landscape patches were generated by performing mapping at scale 1:50,000. The subsequent step was to group them into taxonomic categories. Following the mapping and classification stages, the identified units of the lowest hierarchic rank (i.e., landscape kind) were united into 3 qualitative classes based on the analysis of their pace of spatio-temporal change, i.e., lowly, moderately and highly dynamical geo-complexes. Each patch was weighted individually, depending on its location and vertical structure. Key question addressed during the categorization process was the magnitude of the landscape change so far, and how likely it is to continue at the same scale and pace in roughly 100 years? time. Both natural and anthropogenic landscape dynamics were examined and considered. Results of the GIS analyses and subsequent data management in MS Excel demonstrate the ubiquitous prevalence of the anthropogenic landscape units. Nevertheless, well-preserved physiographic complexes dominate at Kamchia and Emine Mountain coastal areas, implying for their high nature conservation value. The results also reveal spatial domination of the highly dynamical landscapes due to the wide presence of some rather unstable anthropogenic categories, e.g., agricultural land, resorts, recreational areas, suburbs etc., but also being in result of the transitional physiographic character, dictating the constantly changing nature of the coastal environment.

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