Depopulated localities of former East Prussia as isolated components of the landscape structure in the form of clusters of high vegetation

Abstract

The article is devoted to selected issues concerning the contemporary landscape identity of completely deserted localities situated in the part of former East Prussia incorporated into Poland. It presents conclusions drawn from an analysis of cartographic materials and on-site research on high greenery’s participation in and importance to the creation of the landscape of uninhabited settlement units. High greenery is one of the main components of the space of abandoned localities in the research area. In total, 94% of completely deserted settlements in the Polish part of former East Prussia are partially or completely covered with high greenery. Relatively often – in 39% of all uninhabited localities – high greenery forms isolated patches in the landscape structure. This is reflected in the process of observation of both the horizontal and vertical landscape structure of a locality, as demonstrated on the example of the case study of one of the old settlements.