Historical Mapping for Landscape Reconstruction Examples from the Canton of Valais (Switzerland)

Alpine landscapes have evolved rapidly over the last two centuries. River embankments and urbanization have aff ected most of the large alluvial plains, agriculture has radically changed and its relative landscapes also. Forests are gaining space in most of the Alpine countries and tourism has modifi ed landscapes in several areas, both in alpine forelands and high valleys. In Switzerland, the availability of accurate topographic maps since the middle of the 19th century has allowed us to reconstruct historical landscape change. Former landscapes were reconstructed using historical maps in a Geographic Information System (GIS) in two diff erent contexts in the Canton of Valais (Switzerland). Th e evolution of the Rhone river alluvial plain and the history of vineyard landscapes were analysed. Th is paper presents the methodological aspects relating to the study of old maps.