Redistribution of the map: open and closed landscapes in Northern Belgium on the topographic map of 1873 (1860-1873)

This map displays the location of open and closed landscapes on the topographic map of 1873. The classification is based on the occurrence of hedgerows, tree lines, forests, and orchards. Closed landscapes occur in places with high concentrations of hedgerows (=bocage), forest, or orchards. Concentrations of more than 7.5 km of hedgerows and/or tree lines per km², as well as areas with forests and orchards, are considered a closed landscape. An open landscape offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, with few or no visual obstructions. A semi-open landscape is characterized by greater visibility and filtered transparency. It consists of concentrations of tree lines (=coulisses). At the ground level, they are relatively open, making it possible to look through the stems. The crowns at the top hinder transparency. Purpose of creation: Suitable for landscape research, landscape ecology, and studies on landscape perception, as well as for selecting appropriate locations for the (re)planting of hedgerows and tree rows based on cultural-historical patterns. In this context, it is advised to use the manual by Bastiaens & Verboven (2024), mentioned in the references section.