Exploring historical maps for insights into ecosystem extent and condition: a case study landscape in Poland

The aim of this paper is to analyze how historical maps could be used in the context of SEEA EA and what information could be derived from historical maps to facilitate mapping and assessment of ecosystem extent and condition in according to the SEEA EA guidelines. The source materials were maps documenting the landscape in 1883, 1936, 1977 and 2011 of the case study area of Ślęża Landscape Park in Poland, Central Europe. The landscape level characteristics of naturalness and diversity were used to understand the condition. The Ślęża Landscape Park’s ecosystem extent results show trends of increase in forest cover of about 700 ha driven by afforestation and decrease in the agricultural share of land. In 1883, the biggest forested areas were not connected to each other, but on the other hand, forest areas were more compact, as diversity of boundaries was lowered inside forests. The least natural areas were scarce and so human pressure and impacts were lower. Humans have significantly influenced this landscape by expanding mineral extraction activities and built-up areas. We discuss the challenges of local scale SEEA EA applications and present lessons learned from this process.