Changes in land use in Eastern Lithuania in context of influence of Vilnius city

Rytų Lietuvos regionas dėl savo problemiškumo susilaukia vis daugiau tyrėjų dėmesio. Vilniaus miestas su aplinkiniu regionu istoriškai susietas stipriais ekonominiais, socialiniais ir kultūriniais ryšiais, bet Vilniaus įtakos regionui samprata ir ribos nėra aiškios. Dar sunkiau nustatyti, kokiu atstumu Vilniaus miestas turi įtakos žemėnaudos ypatumams. Straipsnyje pateikti tyrimo, kurio tikslas – išsiaiškinti, kiek ir kaip Vilnius veikia Rytų Lietuvos žemės naudojimą, duomenys. Analizuota Rytų Lietuvos žemės ūkio naudmenų struktūra ir jos kaita, nagrinėta apleistų žemės ūkio naudmenų problema, atkreipiant dėmes ir į žemės reformos bei žemės grąžinimo savininkams klausimams.Eastern region of Lithuania is one of the most problematic ones in the country. This region has specific demographic situation, with almost all the territory being sparsely populated. The region is one of the territories that are less favourable for agricultural activities. Moreover the situation regarding ethnic minorities in this region is more complicated than elsewhere in Lithuania. An important factor is that Eastern Lithuania is on the edge of the EU, which complicates the development of this region even more. The said factors result in distinctive land use characterised by small plots of land, which are generally non-marketable. The region has lots of abandoned agricultural land. Moreover, much of the land is cultivated only to receive the EU assistance. This region is under the influence of Vilnius city region, which is the biggest and most significant in Lithuania. Being a state capital and a large economic centre Vilnius city influences the entire country, but the influence is most felt in Eastern Lithuania comprising Vilnius, Utena and Alytus counties. Logically, land use in areas closer to cities should be more intensive than in the peripheral ones. A similar effect was observed in the past, but after the restoration of independence in 1990 the situation has changed and the intensity of use of land closer to Vilnius became lower than in remote agrarian territories. The territories of analyzed counties do not differ by agricultural land structure and the influence of Vilnius city is felt only in the closest surroundings of the city. The land use structure and its dynamics depend on natural and economic conditions that influence land suitability for agricultural activity. The regions that provide better conditions for developing agriculture have more agricultural land. In farms operating in Vilnius district agricultural land comprises 85%. In territories less favourable for agricultural activity the agricultural land area is even smaller, for example in Varėna district such land constitutes only 64%, in Zarasai district – 75%. Meanwhile in Ukmerg district, where land is better, the percentage of agricultural land is even 91%. The analysis of changes in agricultural land in 2003 and 2010 shows that intensity of land cultivation increased. Areas of arable land enlarged the most. However, rather big regional differences can be seen. In Vilnius district arable land decreased by more than 2 thousand ha. This could be explained by the fact that Vilnius district has more registered farm holders who do not intend to engage in agricultural activity and by buying land only expect to easier get permits for construction or other activities unrelated to agriculture than other districts have. Influence of Vilnius city is felt only in a small area around the city and is concentrated in the Vilnius district. In other districts the areas of arable land significantly increased: by 11 thousand ha in Šalčininkai district, by 20 thousand ha in Ukmerg district, and by 19 thousand ha in Anykščiai district. [...