The influence of roads and density of their network on the Lithuanian landscape transformations

Abstract

The density of roads network is a reflection of historical and economic development of a country. Formation of the roads network depends on a few factor groups: natural and anthropogenic. The anthropogenic factors are predetermined by demographic situation and economic development of a territory. The natural factors reflect the degree of surface ruggedness, dominant deposits and vegetation complexes. The network of Lithuanian roads is closely linked with the both groups of factors. Comparison and analysis of cartographic data are efficient research methods applied to analysis of the roads network structure. The information obtained from the topographic and thematic maps and available databases were used for statistical analysis. The Lithuanian roads are classified on the basis of their national importance: European, main, national, district, and local roads. Lower rank roads reflecting the natural road structure were chosen for evaluation. The densest network of roads was recorded in the Middle Lithuanian Lowland: main roads 60 km / 100 km and local roads 160 km / 100 km2. The sparsest network of roads was recorded in South-East Lithuania: main roads 20 km / 100 km2, and local roads 60 km / 100 km2. Sinuosity of roads reflects the ratio between the natural environment and shortest distance to the nearest settlement. In a certain sense, the index of sinuosity reflects the diversity of landscape elements. The highest value of sinuosity of roads was recorded in the Lithuania uplands and the lowest one in the Lithuania lowlands. This index is in good correlation with the sinuosity index of local roads.