Diversified landscape structure in the EU Member States

The heterogeneity of land cover and the presence of linear features are two key elements characterising landscape structures. LUCAS survey 2009 figures show clear distinctions among EU countries and how varied the European territory is in many respects.

Four main typologies of countries with a different degree of land cover diversity and landscape patterns can be identified:
- Countries with a high diversity generally characterized by the significant presence of mountainous or hilly areas;
- Largely homogeneous countries with a strong predominance of grassland;
- Countries rich in forests, quite homogeneous with a diversity score below the EU average
- Countries with a diversity score within a range of 5% from the EU average which share the same kind of land cover composition.

The presence of linear elements impacts in different ways on landscape according to the nature of the elements. While "green" linear elements seem to be integrated in the land cover, dissection elements cause a fragmentation of the landscape.