ABSTRACT
Consideration of natural factors, biophysical attributes and land use has several roles in landscape analysis: it provides an objective context for analysis of cultural social and visual aspects of landscape; provides vital evidence for understanding landscape history, dynamics and change; is a vital part of landscape character assessment, as well as assessment of possible biophysical impacts of proposed development; and provides vital data for planning and design. Natural factors refer to the fundamental natural drivers that shape the underlying structure and dynamics of landscape systems: climate, geology and geomorphology, hydrology and ecology. Biophysical attributes are the specific conditions in a particular landscape such as terrain, elevation, soil types, wetlands and waterway networks, vegetation and habitat, built infrastructure, etc. Land use refers to the human activities undertaken to produce, change or maintain particular land cover. Land cover largely comprises different types of vegetation, but also includes bare natural areas and constructed surfaces such as buildings and roads.
