THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF SMALL-SCALE PRIVATE FARMERS IN THE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION OF THE BOHEMIAN LANDSCAPE

In Czechoslovakia the landscape suffered severe degradation during the period of socialism (1948-1989). Application of Western experiences i n ecological restoration of the Czechoslovakian landscape is difficult due to the shortage of financial resources and the absence of a funct ioning market. One potentially valuable source of assistance is a grou p of small-scale private farmers. This group constitutes only 2% of ag ricultural workers in Czechoslovakia, but is significant for two reaso ns. First, they preserved a form of private ownership in an otherwise completely nationalized economy. Second, they maintained ways of husba ndry that are close in character to practices of what is now called su stainable agriculture. Certain aspects of the thinking of these people - their ecological consciousness - predispose them for an ecological role in the landscape. This paper begins with a characterization of th e ecological consciousness of the private farmers of Bohemia, drawing on interviews and questionnaires with members of farm families. It the n considers the relevance of their way of thinking for ecological rest oration in Bohemia in light of the current economic conditions.