Systematic forest recording using the first cadastral maps: The Brumov estate case study (Czech Republic)

This study examines the use of the first cadastral maps for a systematic recording of forests in the former Brumov estate, Czech Republic. The Stable Cadastre, which was originally used for taxation efficiency, provides a unique insight into the pre-industrial landscape. Using GIS-based digitization, an analysis of 1361 forest parcels on 9946 ha was performed, allowing for spatial comparison with the current state of forests. The study examines historical forest structure with regard to ownership, tree species composition, and age of stands, revealing shifts accompanying socio-economic changes and changes in sylvicultural practices over two centuries. The results show an increase in forest coverage from 25.3% (in 1828) to 45% today, mostly due to the shift away from pastoral farming and an increase in afforestation tendencies; the transformation in composition also shows a shift away from deciduous trees to coniferous stands. The article and its appendix aim to provide a methodological blueprint for utilizing historical cartographic data in geospatial analyses – useful for historians, conservationists, and forest managers.