1 Introduction: Towards a Shared Language: Semantic Exchanges . . .
5
Snow line
Alpine zone
Subalpine zone
Montane zone
Sub-montane zone
Valley
Technical leisure
acƟviƟes (extreme sports)
Equipped leisure
acƟviƟes – hunƟng,
fishing
Food/resource gathering
Crops – breeding
Major anthropizaƟon
habitat
Extreme landscapes
Sublime landscapes
Wild landscapes
Tamed landscapes
Surroundings – gardens
Deep sea
SubƟdal zone
MedioliƩoral zone
SupraliƩoral zone
LiƩoral zone
Mountain
landscape
zones
AcƟviƟes – Uses
PracƟces
PercepƟon
Landscape codes
Coastal and marine
landscape zones
Fig. 1.1 Mountain and coastal landscapes: symmetries in the gradients of natural constraints,
degrees of anthropization and landscape recognition
1.2.2 Similarities Between Mountain and Coastal Landscapes
Mountain landscapes are similar in many ways to coastal landscapes and we can use
this comparison to better identify the characteristics of the latter (Fig. 1.1).
From the bottom of the valley to the mountain top, and irrespective of the landscape’s morphology, mountain landscapes are structured in zones due to the gradient
of constraints, namely the drop in temperature. Similarly, from the surface to the
depths, underwater seascapes are structured in zones primarily due to the reduction
in light. The foreshore itself is structured in zones (supra, mid and subtidal) based
on the length of submersion.
In the mountains and on the coast and the near undersea environment, human
societies have developed a sense of ownership of these landscapes as a result of
their characteristics (limits, exposed or sheltered slopes, etc.), the way they function
(transfers, complementarity, etc.) and the socio-cultural specificities that define or
attach to them. In addition to the natural gradients, there are the human-induced
gradients: the village zone in both valleys and on the coast is associated with crop
farming and breeding or marine breeding on the foreshore (particularly mussels and
oysters listed as farming activities in the French inventory of economic activities).
These activities gradually give way to the hunting or fishing zones and then to the less
accessible and seasonal zones. Lastly, the highest- or deepest-zone is only accessible
after much effort and very specific and costly technical preparation. Everyday uses
of coastal or valley surroundings gradually give way to extreme recreational and professional activities which, by definition, are but occasional forays into environments
hostile to man.
Above and beyond their uses, perception of these landscape zones has in certain
respects followed a similar pattern, as already mentioned (Corbin 1988): far from
5
Snow line
Alpine zone
Subalpine zone
Montane zone
Sub-montane zone
Valley
Technical leisure
acƟviƟes (extreme sports)
Equipped leisure
acƟviƟes – hunƟng,
fishing
Food/resource gathering
Crops – breeding
Major anthropizaƟon
habitat
Extreme landscapes
Sublime landscapes
Wild landscapes
Tamed landscapes
Surroundings – gardens
Deep sea
SubƟdal zone
MedioliƩoral zone
SupraliƩoral zone
LiƩoral zone
Mountain
landscape
zones
AcƟviƟes – Uses
PracƟces
PercepƟon
Landscape codes
Coastal and marine
landscape zones
Fig. 1.1 Mountain and coastal landscapes: symmetries in the gradients of natural constraints,
degrees of anthropization and landscape recognition
1.2.2 Similarities Between Mountain and Coastal Landscapes
Mountain landscapes are similar in many ways to coastal landscapes and we can use
this comparison to better identify the characteristics of the latter (Fig. 1.1).
From the bottom of the valley to the mountain top, and irrespective of the landscape’s morphology, mountain landscapes are structured in zones due to the gradient
of constraints, namely the drop in temperature. Similarly, from the surface to the
depths, underwater seascapes are structured in zones primarily due to the reduction
in light. The foreshore itself is structured in zones (supra, mid and subtidal) based
on the length of submersion.
In the mountains and on the coast and the near undersea environment, human
societies have developed a sense of ownership of these landscapes as a result of
their characteristics (limits, exposed or sheltered slopes, etc.), the way they function
(transfers, complementarity, etc.) and the socio-cultural specificities that define or
attach to them. In addition to the natural gradients, there are the human-induced
gradients: the village zone in both valleys and on the coast is associated with crop
farming and breeding or marine breeding on the foreshore (particularly mussels and
oysters listed as farming activities in the French inventory of economic activities).
These activities gradually give way to the hunting or fishing zones and then to the less
accessible and seasonal zones. Lastly, the highest- or deepest-zone is only accessible
after much effort and very specific and costly technical preparation. Everyday uses
of coastal or valley surroundings gradually give way to extreme recreational and professional activities which, by definition, are but occasional forays into environments
hostile to man.
Above and beyond their uses, perception of these landscape zones has in certain
respects followed a similar pattern, as already mentioned (Corbin 1988): far from