Land use changes not only reflect socioeconomic changes in a region, but they are also one of the major factors contributing to global environmental changes. This research analyzes the land use changes that have occurred in Southern Croatia, or Dalmatia, a coastal and predominantly karstic region characterized by Mediterranean climate and vegetation. While agricultural production began in this region during the Neolithic period, the most intense changes occurred in the 20th century. To analyze these changes and visualize the results, this research uses both archival and contemporary sources, such as the Corina Land Cover._x000D_
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The research is chronologically divided into three main periods. The first period, until 1945, was characterized by a predominance of agricultural activities, a prominent decline in vineyard areas, and the beginning of more pronounced growth of fruit trees. The second period, from 1945 to 1991, was marked by the socialist economic and political system, rapid industrialization, initial land abandonment, and depopulation. This period also saw significant restoration of natural vegetation on former agricultural land._x000D_
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Since 1991, the processes of land abandonment have continued and intensified, resulting in shrubs and forests now occupying the largest share of the total study area. From the beginning of the 20th century until today, the greatest land use changes were related to the increase of degraded forests and the decline of agricultural land. These changes were caused by numerous social and economic factors, such as economic transitions, the Croatian War of Independence (1991-1995), the strong growth of the service sector (especially tourism), unfavorable demographic changes, small plots, property issues, among others._x000D_

Ante Blaće (1), Anđela Vrkić (2)
University of Zadar, Department of Geography (1), none (2)

 
ID Abstract: 917