Spatial analysis of land-use changes as knowledge tools in support of European spatial policies and ecosystem health

Cost-effective decision making calls for appropriate methods for the modeli ng, forecasting, and presentation of problem-specific information. This pap er discusses the systematic use of remote-sensing derived information to as sess the impact of past policies and to support the definition of sustainab le European spatial policies through an example of landscape change analysi s. A case study of landscape changes along parts of the European coastline between the mid-70s and early-90s is reported, providing an integrated asse ssment addressing possible causes and effects related to natural and labor resources. The impact of human activities on changes in the natural landsca pe is discussed both from a qualitative and a quantitative viewpoint.