Abstract. The paper points out the changes in the landscape structure and functionality within the territory of the Site of Community Interes ROSCI0233 Someșul Rece between 2006 and 2012 as a consequence of the transformations in land cover. In this purpose, GIS applications have been used in order to identify the shift of land parcels between various land cover categories, while changes in the spatial structure of landscape units (changes in land parcel shape, landscape fragmentation etc.) have been expressed through some landscape metrics indices. Results are discussed in relation to the socio-economic changes that have described local communities during the envisaged period (evolution of the local economic activities as forest exploitation and cattle breeding, changes in the demographic structure, land ownership, economic profile of local municipalities etc.). At the same time, the results are analyzed in relation to the protection status of the area (included in the Nature 2000 ecological network) and its conservation objectives.

Key words: landscape assessment, landscape metrics, forest management, economic transition

Presentation: oral