Agricultural terraces are the predominant landscape element in the Gori{ka brda region. These were once made by hand, but started being built mechanically after the Second World War. Reshaping slopes into terraces increases the amount of arable farmland. Farming, especially cultivation of vineyards and orchards, is still the most important industry in this region. The development of winegrowing has indelibly marked the image of the cultural landscape here.Maintenance of terraces prevents water loss and reduces soil erosion. When the shape of hillsides is changed, large quantities of soil are moved, and steep slopes are altered, this can cause land slippage and large areas can become unstable. Detailed study indicates that Gori{ka brda is exposed to a high risk of landslides. This study was carried out as part of Interreg project IIIB Alpine Space, titled »The Terraced Landscapes of the Alpine Arc« (ALPTER).
