We analysed the landscape structure and spatial distribution of land use in Pohorje within the Geographic Information System. Landscape types were determined on the basis of differences in landscape structure. We found that there is forest landscape in highland part of Pohorje only, whereas in other landscape-ecological subunits of Pohorje forested landscape is the prevailing type. The current landscape structure in cadastral municipalities Lovrenc na Pohorju and Kumen was compared with landscape structure shown in military mapsof Austrian Emperor Joseph II (18th century) and with the 19th century Franciscean land register. We found that the area of forest in cadastral municipality Lovrenc na Pohorju was reduced in the last 181 years from 20,7 % to 16,7 % due to the expansion of settlements. In cadastral municipality Kumen, the agricultural areas in steep slopes and those far away from the houses were abandoned around 1960 and afforested with spruce trees. Consequently, the area of non-forest ground is smaller than it was in the past. The area of forest has grown in the years 1825 - 2006 from 86 % to 90,6 % of cadastral municipality.
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