Since the beginnings of agriculture, people have been cultivating natural textile fibres. However, the effect of fibre farming on rural landscape formation is an under researched topic in the field of landscape architecture. The goal of this master thesis was to investigate how the act of cultivating natural fibre affects local landscapes. To accomplish this objective, six case studies were done. Each study focused on a different fibre that is obtainable in Latvia and Estonia: linen, hemp, foraged (nettle, tree, etc.) plant fibres, wool from sheep, alpaca fleece, and mohair from angora goats. The research strategy involved two methods. Walk-along, when conducting interviews with land custodians while walking and observing landscapes where fibre plants are grown, or animals are raised for fibre. However, the most comprehensive case studies on linen, hemp, and sheep fiberscapes were developed using a work-along method. In addition to interviews and landscape observations, each visit included helping farmers with routine tasks such as seeding hemp, harvesting flax and hemp, processing plants for fibre, and "living like a sheep farmer” for one year. The purpose of work-alongs was to understand a causal connection between the actions of natural fibre producers and the development of landscape features specific to each fibre. The fibre farmer acts as a landscape designer. This process of fibrescape design involves manipulating ecological processes in favour of fibre cultivation. The consequences of these actions are visible and can be analysed through landscape elements. Two categories of natural textile fibres exist: plant and animal. Each of these two categories corresponds to a distinct fiberscape. The most prominent landscape feature that distinguishes plant fibrescape from animal fibrescapes are arable fields. Ploughed fields can displace native wildlife habitats, but reintroducing diverse and adaptable crops like linen and hemp into regional farming can promote agricultural diversity and prevent arable lands from becoming homogeneous landscapes. Furthermore, there is potential to diversify local plant fibre agriculture by incorporating such fibre plants as nettle, various wetland plants, and wooded vegetation. Grasslands are distinct landscape feature of animal fibrescapes. To raise herbivores for fibre, pastures and hay meadows are vital. Animal husbandry requires several landscape features, including animal shelters, hay barns, fences, and other unique elements specific to each homestead. Sheep, alpacas, and goats can be incorporated into conservation agriculture and heritage landscape management plans because they act as nature-based solutions to maintain biodiverse grassland habitats. Homesteading has a vital role in shaping both plant and animal fibrescapes. When homes are located far away from the fibrescape, then the landscape is perceived in terms of agricultural economics. The versatile character of fibrescapes has the ability to support homesteads in rural areas and enhance the picturesque countryside by adding cultural aspects to the mosaic patterns of the regional productive landscape. Cultivation of natural fibre can improve the conservation of traditional knowledge and provide additional benefits of outdoor enjoyment for the fibrescape custodians, as well as for the rural community and visitors.
Vineta Gailīte (Fri,) studied this question.