Landscape Tranformation of Small Rural Settlements with Dispersed Type of Settlement in Slovakia

Abstract In this paper we will focus on one of the five areas of dispersed settlement in Slovakia – Novobanská štálová area and the forecast of its development on the example of selected characteristics (household income and its use, population). The analysis of historical development by using historical maps can relatively and accurately locate areas with permanently low intensity of use and areas that have fulfilled a stabilizing function in the cultural landscape throughout the observed development. At the same time, based on the analysis of the historical development of settlements, we can interpret the trend of the development of land use in the future. The originality of this type of landscape with a dispersed type of settlement also in the sense of the European Landscape Convention lies in its limited occurrence. Besides Slovakia, it occurs only in the Czechia and especially on the Czech-Slovak border. The analysis of demographic characteristics of selected municipalities also indicates qualitative and quantitative changes leading to the gradual extinction of the territory. The presented area as a part of small dispersed settlement has some unique cultural, historical and natural values, which are a reflection of human life and activities in difficult mountain conditions.