Landscape Studies

Landscape Studies – How We Use and Shape Our Landscapes

Landscape studies focus on how people use, influence, and shape the landscape and natural resources – and how these have changed over time and can be analyzed at different spatial scales, from the local to the global. This may involve, for example, forestry, reindeer herding, mining, wind power, or how land is planned and managed.

By combining knowledge from several different fields, we seek to understand the interplay between natural processes, human activities, and societal development. We study how ecosystem functions are connected to the ways in which people use land and water, and how resources are governed and organized – both formally and informally.

Our research and education aim to provide knowledge, methods, and tools that can be used to develop sustainable solutions. These may include strategies and policies, as well as practical tools that support collaboration, local participation, and good governance.

We address issues of importance at the local, national, and international levels. In addition to research and teaching, we are involved in environmental monitoring, development projects, and impact assessments. We have particular expertise in areas such as environmental analysis and interdisciplinary approaches.

Collaboration with a wide range of societal actors is central to our work. We believe in developing solutions together with those who are affected by – or have an impact on – how landscapes are used. International collaborations are also an important part of our activities, helping to share knowledge and foster new perspectives.