Legacies of Past Land Use: Mapping Anthropogenic Landforms in Forest Areas of Eastern Bavaria, Germany

Abstract

Reconstructing (pre-)historic land use distribution is essential for understanding past human societies and their impacts on the environment. Various land use forms result in distinct alterations of surface morphology, which are often well preserved but rarely described within forest areas. The interpretation of LiDAR Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) can greatly enhance our insight into the geoarchaeological records of woodlands. This study examines the legacies of past land use in forested areas of Upper Palatinate, Germany, utilizing LiDAR DEMs to map anthropogenic relief features. We comprehensively mapped land use legacy landforms (LULLs) that occur with considerable frequency in the study area, that is, former agricultural field systems, road remnants, abandoned ponds, relict charcoal hearths, mining legacies, and indicators of anthropogenically induced soil erosion. Results reveal that 17% of the forested area is affected by LULLs, with the largest areas covered by former field systems, roads, and ponds. Characteristic LULL associations reflect past agricultural and charcoal production landscapes. While erosion indicators often coincide with field systems and roads, natural factors mainly influence their distribution. Comparison with historical maps suggests pre-19th-century abandonment of most LULLs and good preservation of anthropogenic relief modifications. Our results underscore the enduring impact of past land use on present woodland ecosystems and emphasize the importance of considering forest areas in the analysis of past human–landscape interactions.