Land Use Dynamics in the South-Central Planning Region (2000–2018): A Statistical Analysis of CORINE Land Cover

Abstract

This study investigates land use dynamics in the South-Central Planning Region (SCPR) of Bulgaria between 2000 and 2018, a period marked by economic transition and land restitution following the shift from a centrally planned economy. Utilizing CORINE Land Cover data from the European Environment Agency, the research quantifies land use changes across various categories at six-year intervals. The analysis reveals significant transformations, particularly within forest ecosystems where declining mature forests (broad-leaved and coniferous) coincide with increasing transitional woodland-shrub areas, suggesting deforestation and subsequent regeneration. Agricultural systems exhibit complex dynamics, with pasture decline contrasted by vineyard expansion and fluctuating arable land. Urban and infrastructure development shows steady expansion of industrial/commercial units and mineral extraction sites. These findings highlight the complex interplay of human activities and natural processes reshaping the SCPR landscape, providing valuable insights for sustainable landscape planning and management in the region, addressing a critical knowledge gap in understanding post-1989 land use transformation in Bulgaria.