8.1 - The Significance of Landscapes8.1.1 - The concept of landscape8.1.2 - Values and functions of landscapes8.1.2.1 - Sustainable use of natural resources8.1.2.2 - Wildlife habitats8.1.2.3 - Economic benefits8.1.2.4 - Open spaces and scenery8.1.2.5 - Cultural heritage8.1.3 - Landscape as a European concern8.2 - Description of European Landscapes8.2.1 - The approach8.2.1.1 - Actual and potential vegetation8.2.1.2 - Soil, landform and geomorphology8.2.1.3 - The agricultural use of the land8.2.1.4 - Rural landscapes8.2.1.5 - Forest landscapes8.2.2 - Comparison of 30 European landscapes8.3 - Landscapes under stress8.3.1 - Agricultural intensification8.3.2 - Agricultural abandonment8.3.3 - Urban expansion and uncontrolled settlement8.3.4 - Standardisation of building material and design8.3.5 - Infrastructure development and transport8.3.6 - Tourism and recreation8.3.7 - Mining, landfill and military areas8.3.8 - Loss of wildlife and habitats8.4 - Landscape Conservation and Strategies8.4.1 - National protection of landscapes8.4.2 - Worls Heritage Convention8.4.3 - A possible convention for the protection of Europe's rural landscapes8.4.4 - Environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) and related measures8.4.5 - Ecological networks and the landscapes8.4.6 - Planning and management8.5 - Conclusions