Vanishing Villages: a comparative study of rural depopulation in Wielkopolska, Moravia, and Czech Silesia

Rural depopulation and village extinction in Central Europe, particularly in Wielkopolska, Moravia, and Czech Silesia, reflect complex historical, socio-economic and environmental factors. This study investigates the scale of depopulation and the reasons behind village abandonment in these regions. Using historical maps, aerial imagery, and field surveys, 202 villages in Wielkopolska and 119 settlements in Moravia and Silesia were identified as extinct between 1930 and 2020. Factors contributing to village disappearance include industrial development, military activities, poor agricultural conditions and historical events such as population displacement after World War ii. The current land use in these areas predominantly comprises forests, grasslands and restricted zones. Landscape relics, including stone walls, orchards and road networks, provide evidence of the former settlements. Comparative analysis reveals similarities in depopulation and landscape transformation patterns in both regions despite differences in geographical and historical contexts. The study underscores the importance of understanding rural depopulation for landscape management and cultural heritage preservation in the context of global changes.