All is land, but not all is landscape: social discourses around the landscape

Abstract

Abstract Political and academic discourses generally argue that it is possible for all land to be viewed as landscape. Research into social discourse about the landscape, however, reveals that only certain parts of the land possess the characteristics required for its inhabitants to consider it as landscape, as this study shows by analysing several interviews and focus group discussions conducted in two provinces in the south of Spain (Granada and Almería) to understand how people perceive and experience landscapes. This perspective can be very detrimental regarding conservation actions: if the landscape value is not recognised, there is no reason to conserve it. The repercussions for landscape management and protection policies in this regard can be far-reaching. It is not sufficient to merely assert that all land is landscape; rather, society must recognise it as such if the landscape is to be both valued and cared for.