Historical Dynamics of Human Impact on Landscapes of Vitosha Mountain (SW Bulgaria)

Abstract

This article presents a study of the historical dynamics of human impact on the landscapes of Vitosha Mountain, Bulgaria. Information about the main historical and present-day anthropogenic impacts on landscapes was obtained from a various data sources and field research. These impacts include hunting, agriculture, grazing, logging, charcoal production, iron production, gold mining, stone quarry, reforestation, recreation. Five historical phases of anthropogenic impact on landscapes are recognized in our analysis: the Prehistoric phase, the Antiquity phase, the Mediaeval phase, the Ottoman phase and the Modern phase. The greatest anthropogenic impact was during the Ottoman phase, when the intensive agricultural and mining (iron and gold) activities contributed to a great landscape transformation and degradation. The functional purposes on the territory of Vitosha have undergone a radical change since 1934. The human impact on landscapes has gradually decreased and economic use gave way to conservation and recreation.