THE CHARACTER OF POST-MINING LANDSCAPE AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR RECREATION IN CONDITIONS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The recent pressure on landscape related to utilization of natural resources is becoming more and more significant. With human population growing and the utilization more intense, there is an increasing demand for multifunctional landscapes, where all activities from primal sector such as agriculture or mining to leisure activities and recreation can be carried out. Post mining landscapes were characterized in four basic categories according to extracted raw material (sand and gravel, black coal, brown coal, stone) and the effects on the area, and their recreational potential was described. The article summarizes different approaches and assessment methods dealing with landscape character, its protection and evaluation used in the Czech Republic. Attempts were made to find a method suitable for disturbed landscapes after surface exploitation with regards to future comparison. Among the others, Assessment of Landscape Character Attractiveness (Lacina, 2005) has been chosen and applied to compare various sites in different states of degradation and restoration. Based on the results the relation between recreation potential and type and phase of restoration was examined.