Landscape Fieldwork: Scientific, Educational and Awareness-Raising Requirements in the Context of the European Landscape Convention

Abstract

Fieldwork reaches its full potential when one of its key objectives is the interpretation of the landscape. Field trips are part of a longstanding and effective tradition of contact with the natural environment, which has evolved from the nineteenth century to the present day, in accordance with the scientific, educational and awareness-raising requirements of advanced societies. In keeping with the fundamental principles of geographical science, direct contact with the landscape has enabled a holistic approach to our surroundings which are increasingly complex. The European Landscape Convention (ELC) provides a new focus on the enhancement of a landscape culture, one of which main sources is fieldwork. This paper reflects on the evolution and premises of direct landscape data recollection within the frame of the ELC and its contribution to student and general public engagement.

Key Words:

• Fieldwork tradition
• holistic approach
• landscape
• geography
• European Landscape Convention

Acknowledgements

The authors extend their grateful thanks to the Ministry of the Environment and the Centre for Landscape and Territorial Studies (University of Seville) for allowing us to participate in the ‘Study of the Situation of the Landscape in Spain and the Establishing of a Set of Criteria for the Development of the European Landscape Convention’, and to all of the students and academic staff who participated in the 10-211 Teaching Innovation Project of the University of Granada.

Notes

1. “Des bribes de leçons qui, mises bout à bout, reconstituent la méditation du sage au pied de l’arbre” (Lévi-Strauss, 1955, p. 493).