MAPPING AND ASSESSMENT OF LAND USE CHANGES IN COAL MINING AREA: A CASE STUDY FROM SLOVAKIA

ABSTRACT

Landscape development is a long-term process which is influenced both by natural and anthropogenic factors. Coal mining and the associated processes, such as subsidence, are in most cases the primary driving forces that influence the landscape and land use in coal mining areas. Moreover, coal mining usually triggers a series of ecological and environmental problems that may result in social and economic issues. The aim of the article is to analyze and assess land use changes, their causes and consequences in the mining area of Nováky coal deposit (Western Slovakia) in three time horizons: 1949, 1986 and 2016. Geographic information systems (GIS) were applied for mapping land use categories based on the interpretation of aerial images. The changes in land use during the studied time horizons were quantitatively assessed. During the period 1949-2016, the share of arable land recorded the most significant decrease by 12.08%. On the other hand, the share of grassland increased by 3.06% and forest by 1.92%. As for the built-up area, it increased in the period 1949-1986 by 4.11% while from 1986 to 2016, it decreased by 2.20% because of subsidence, as a result of underground brown coal and lignite mining, which caused the relocation of the majority of population living in the Koš municipality.

Keywords: landscape, land use, coal mining, GIS, Slovakia