The evolution of rural landscapes in mid-eastern Poland as exemplified by selected villages

This paper presents diverse paths of the landscape development in two villages (Zurawnica and Guciow) in the Roztocze region in mid-eastern Poland. Zurawnica was founded in 16th century and Guciow—in the first half of 19th century. Despite the different age, until the outbreak of World War II both villages followed similar stages of development: clearings, increase in area, increase of population density and anthropopressure, land partitioning, impoverishment of inhabitants. The World War II brought about considerable changes in the development of the villages. Nowadays both villages find itself on a different path of development, connected with socio-economic and political changes taking place in Poland since the beginning of the 1990s. Recently, land property integration took place in Zurawnica, which has created possibilities for improving the economic situation and preserving the rural landscapes. In Guciow depopulation is under way, which contributes to the growth of the forest areas and wastelands. However, the village has already taken measures to promote the development of agrotourism using its environmental values and landscape amenities.