CZ-8 :: Sustainable use and renewal of population´s relation to soil and landscape

On the territory of the Czech Republic, the previous development caused that there is only weak relation between inhabitants and landscape (and soils), which they use every day. In other words, the majority of inhabitants do not care about their landscape if their interests are not threatened. The industrialisation process started already two centuries ago and the intensively industrialised country preferred needs of industries (e.g. mining of raw materials) compared to needs of agriculture. Moreover, the relation between inhabitants and their landscape was negatively influenced by complicated history during the 20th century. After the end of WWII, the German population (about 3 millions of inhabitants) in border regions of Czech lands was replaced by new population from inner parts of country, but the new inhabitants could not develop their relation to the landscape more significantly due to rule of communist regime between years 1948-1989. After 1948, there was process of nationalisation and collectivisation of agricultural production, which destroyed traditional farmers’ families even in regions inhabited by Czech population. The process of nationalisation and collectivisation was extremely strong in comparison for example to the Poland, where system of small farms survived. In the period after 1989, the country focused on development of new industries (new industrial zones) and agriculture production is under control of large companies, which are oriented on short-term profit. The role of family farmers is only marginal. The result is that there is only a weak relation between inhabitants and their landscape and soils.
Specific research questions (following the conceptual model of INSPIRATION):
Net Impacts:
• Relation of population to soil and landscape shall be renewed and significantly improved. This could be achieved by set of wisely implemented educational and research actions.
Why: How to improve relation of population to soil and landscape to avoid further press on landscape?
• More attention should be devoted to environmental education in primary schools. Interactive and smart environmental games could be attractive way how to make environmental education more attractive for school kids.
Why: Young generation should be educated more pro-actively to ensure more sustainable way of use of soils and landscape in future.